Academic publishing, also known as scholarly communication, is the foundation of academia and research. It involves a wide range of activities, from reading and writing to reviewing and editing. While this process can be demanding, several complementary mechanisms can help support researchers, particularly those at earlier stages of their academic careers.
In this context, the United Nations University – Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV) is launching “Write. Review. Publish.”, a Webinar Series on Academic Publishing aimed at sharing experiences and insights from esteemed colleagues working in the fields of information and communication technologies (ICTs), information science (IS), information technologies (IT), and public administration (PA).
The series is designed for internal colleagues, members of the ICEGOV community, and peers from around the world. Its primary goal is to support researchers, especially junior colleagues, by providing practical guidance on academic writing, peer review, and the publication process.
The webinar/seminar series is structured around three main thematic sub-domains:
(i) editorial experiences and insights;
(ii) developing academic articles, including the stories behind published work; and
(iii) conducting peer reviews.
The first two webinars, scheduled for 20 January and 3 February 2026, will feature experienced journal editors who will share their personal experiences and perspectives on how submissions are evaluated and which dimensions are particularly important during the review process.
In total, UNU-EGOV plans to organize eight webinars/seminars throughout 2026. Each session will combine expert presentations with dedicated time for questions and answers, encouraging dialogue and interaction between participants and featured speakers.
Through this initiative, UNU-EGOV aims to strengthen writing competencies, offer practical suggestions, and support researchers in gaining a deeper understanding of how to navigate academic publishing and peer-review processes successfully.
Seminar Overview
This first seminar, "Strategies to Avoid Desk Rejections: Key Insights and Best Practices", addresses the critical issue of desk rejections in academic publishing, a challenge faced by both early-career and experienced researchers. Drawing on insights from a range of academic journals, the session highlights the realities of publishing in high-quality outlets, the most common reasons manuscripts are rejected at the initial stage, and practical strategies to improve acceptance prospects. Key themes include aligning research with journal scope, ensuring methodological and theoretical rigor, adhering to author guidelines, and developing a sustainable research and publication agenda. The seminar also considers emerging issues such as the role of generative AI in scholarly writing and the importance of collaborative networks in enhancing research outcomes.
Agenda
Moderator | Naci Karkin, Senior Research Analyst at United Nations University – Operating Unit on Policy-driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV)
Opening Remarks | Delfina Soares, Director of UNU-EGOV
Presentation | Yogesh K. Dwivedi
Department of Information Systems & Operations Management, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
IRC for Finance and Digital Economy, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Riyad Bank Chair Professor of Digital Business, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Q&A Session
Moderator | Naci Karkin
Closing Reflections
Naci Karkin
Speaker Bio
Dr Yogesh K. Dwivedi is a Riyad Bank Chair Professor of Digital Business in the Department of Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM) and the Acting Director of the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Finance and Digital Economy (IRC-FDE) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, he holds an Honorary Professorship at the School of Management, Swansea University, UK, where he previously served as a Personal Chair and Professor of Digital Marketing and Innovation.
During his 18-year tenure at Swansea University, he undertook several significant leadership roles, including Director of Postgraduate Research, Head of Department, Research Director, and University Dean of REF Environment.
Dr Dwivedi has successfully supervised over 25 Ph.D. students and examined more than 100 doctoral theses globally.
He earned his Ph.D. from Brunel University of London, UK, and was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa (Honorary Doctorate) from "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Romania.
His research interests lie at the intersection of Information Systems, Marketing, and Operations Management, with a particular emphasis on the adoption and diffusion of emerging digital technologies and innovations. His current research focuses on areas such as generative artificial intelligence, digital government, digital and social media marketing, and their impact on organizations and society, particularly within the context of emerging markets.
Registration
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