Advancing Academic Publishing with MDPI: Gold-Tier Sponsorship of the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) and Academic Publishing Workshop, 18 August 2026
MDPI is pleased to participate in the Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) 2026 at the University of Alberta as a gold-tier sponsor by hosting an Academic Publishing Workshop for graduate students and early career researchers. As a premier platform for showcasing research and fostering academic collaboration, FEGRS brings together emerging scholars from across engineering disciplines to exchange ideas, advance innovation, and to network within professional and academic spaces.
The interactive workshop will provide a practical introduction to scientific publishing and the skills needed for publication success. Participants will begin with an overview of the evolution of scholarly publishing before exploring today's publishing landscape. The second part of the workshop will focus on the peer review process, offering a step-by-step guide to navigating manuscript review and best practices for conducting peer reviews. Each session will conclude with a dedicated Q and A segment, allowing attendees to discuss publishing questions and challenges with experienced publishing professionals. In addition, MDPI representatives will be present at the Industry Mixer on August 18, engaging with participants to share insights into MDPI and opportunities to contribute as authors, reviewers, and editors.
By supporting educational initiatives such as FEGRS, MDPI remains committed to promoting transparency, accessibility, and excellence in scholarly communication while empowering the next generation of researchers to maximize the impact of their work.
For additional information on the event and our sponsorship, please see the event website here.
Date: 18 August 2026
Time: 14:30–15:30 (ET)
Venue: University of Alberta, Faculty of Engineering, DICE 8-207
Schedule:
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Program |
Time |
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Scientific Publishing: An Introduction |
14:30–15:00 |
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Responding to Peer Reviewers |
15:00–15:30 |
MDPI Speakers:
Moderator and Panelist: Dr. Barnaby Crook, Regional Engagement Editor, MDPI
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Dr. Barnaby Crook completed an MA in philosophy and neuroscience at the Humboldt University of Berlin in 2021 and a PhD in the philosophy of artificial intelligence at the University of Bayreuth in 2025. After moving from Germany to Toronto, Dr. Crook began working for MDPI as an Assistant Editor with the journal IJERPH. He now works as a Regional Engagement Editor for North America. In this role, Dr. Crook builds and maintains relationships with academic stakeholders, fostering collaboration and developing partnerships. He is passionate about scientific communication and research integrity. |
Panelist: Ms. Diana Tosato, Deputy Managing Editor, MDPI
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Ms. Diana Tosato holds an MSc in development and environmental sciences and a second MSc in biology from Brock University. After completing her studies, she joined MDPI as an Assistant Editor for the journals Remote Sensing and Heritage. She currently serves as Deputy Managing Editor for journals across North and South America. In addition, Diana serves as External Affairs Coordinator for MDPI, with a focus on Brazil, where she develops and maintains relationships with academic stakeholders, fosters collaboration, and supports strategic partnerships within the research community. |
Organizers:
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The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) is an annual event where graduate students can present their research to their colleagues and professors across all disciplines. This event gives many early-career researchers a place to present their ideas to an interdisciplinary audience without the pressures of larger conferences. Additionally, multiple career development workshops are organized with industry partners and professional organizations, and the event ends with an Industry–Student Mixer. The whole event is organized and planned by graduate student volunteers. |
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A pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. Based in Basel, Switzerland, MDPI’s mission is to foster open scientific exchange in all forms and across all disciplines. |
