MDPI Open Science Insights: Academic Publishing Essentials—Hosted by the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Held on 14 February 2025
On 14 February 2025, MDPI hosted an informative and engaging Academic Publishing Essentials Workshop in collaboration with the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Publishing Manager, Dr. Colin Wee, and Head of Author Services, Mr. Kurtis Jackson, shared practical advice and tips on navigating the academic publishing process and discussed the benefits of open access publishing.
The session brought together researchers at various stages from the Dementia Research Centre at NTU. Assoc. Prof. Nagaendran Kandiah delivered the opening speech, highlighting the importance of academic writing skills, which are essential for structuring a research paper that resonates with readers.
The workshop covered the following key areas:
Introduction to MDPI and Open Access
Participants learned about the different open access models offered by MDPI and the advantages of open access publishing, including increased visibility and higher citation rates of published research.
How to Respond to Peer Reviewers
Tips on how to address reviewer feedback professionally were shared.
How to Write and Structure an Academic Paper
Participants gained insights into refining their writing skills, with a focus on structuring an academic paper to enhance clarity and brevity in presenting their research.
Publication Trends and Hot Topic Identification
Tips for identifying hot research topics and publication trends using Web of Science and a third-party application, VOSviewer, were discussed.
Q&A Session
The workshop concluded with a Q&A session addressing concerns about the perception that open access publishing is inferior to subscription-based models. In response, Dr. Colin Wee clarified the differences as follows: In subscription models, readers pay for access, while in open access, articles are free to readers, but the authors pay an article processing charge. He emphasised that open access publications often receive more views, downloads, and citations, thus benefiting researchers in the long term.
Equipping the Academic Community
MDPI is dedicated to equipping the academic community with a deeper understanding of the publishing process and practical strategies to tackle common challenges. Positive feedback was received regarding the session, with many expressions of appreciation for the valuable tips on improving manuscripts for publication success.
Looking Forward
MDPI extends its gratitude to the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine for contributing to the success of the event, with special thanks to Assoc. Prof. Nagaendran Kandiah for making it possible.
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the academic community, MDPI looks forward to organising more events to assist researchers on their publishing journeys. Stay connected for updates on future Academic Publishing Essentials Workshop and other initiatives!
For those interested in collaborating through academic events, please feel free to reach out to us at marketing-singapore@mdpi.com or visit https://www.mdpi.com/offices/singapore/workshops for more information.