This course provides a systematic introduction to how contemporary academic publishing works, addressing its historical and conceptual foundations, the main types of academic publications and journals, scientific evaluation criteria, and peer-review processes.
Its aim is to equip participants with the skills to critically understand the academic publishing ecosystem and to make informed decisions about where, how, and when to publish their research, in line with scientific, ethical, and institutional standards.
| Target Public | Duration | Schedule | Certification | Language | Method | |
| PhD Students | 3x5hours | 20 to 22 April, 2026 (13:00 - 17:00) | Yes | English | Online |
The course is divided into three interconnected modules.
Module 1 – Understanding Academic Publishing
• Purpose of academic publishing
• Historical development of academic publishing
• Core concepts of the scholarly communication system
Module 2 – How Academic Publishing Works Today
2.1 Scientific Assessment Systems
• Evaluation systems in contemporary academia
• Metrics, rankings, and institutional assessment frameworks
2.2 Types of Academic Publications & Assessment
Types of publications:
• Journal articles
• Books and book chapters
• Conference papers
• Reports and working papers
Module 3 – Types of Journals
• Open access vs. subscription journals
• Impact factor and journal quartiles (Q1–Q4)
• Indexing systems
• Predatory journals: identification and risks
Module 4 – How to Choose a Journal
• Thematic alignment and scope
• Impact and indexing criteria
• Review time and publication timelines
• Article Processing Charges (APCs)
• Ethical standards, data policies, and AI policies
Module 5 – Peer Review
• Editorial screening and desk review
• Peer-review models:
o Single-blind review
o Double-blind review
• Editorial decisions
• Revision processes and resubmission strategies
Module 6 – First Steps to Publish Your Article
• From manuscript to submission
• Journal guidelines and submission systems
• Common editorial expectations
• Understanding rejection, revision, and acceptance
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the purpose and logic of academic publishing
- Recognise the main models and systems of scientific evaluation
- Identify different types of academic publications
- Distinguish between types of scientific journals and their quality criteria
- Select appropriate journals for their research projects
- Understand how peer review and editorial processes work
- Recognise editorial risks, including predatory journals
- Understand ethical principles related to scientific publishing, data, and the use of AI