The Norway-Pacific Ocean-Climate Scholarship Programme (N-POC) team at The University of the South Pacific (USP) organised a highly anticipated academic journal writing workshop at the FBE Postgraduate Lecture Theatre earlier this month.
The workshop focused on the significance of publishing research in academic journals. Facilitated by Professor Digby Race, the workshop provided postgraduate students and researchers with essential guidance on the process of publishing their work, while emphasising the importance of fresh ideas, interpretations, and scientific insights.
The workshop underscored the value of publishing research not only to disseminate data but to contribute meaningful interpretations and engage with global academic debates.
In discussing the publishing landscape, Professor Race stressed the relevance of impact factors, journal rankings, and global significance but reminded participants that quality and relevance to the target audience should take precedence.
The sessions also discussed how to craft captivating and imaginative titles that grab readers’ attention; a critical element for ensuring research reaches a broad audience
Professor Digby Race emphasised that, “Quality is more important than journal rankings, so focus on finding the best fit for your work.”
Participants were guided on how to navigate the publishing process, with practical advice on structuring their research into chapters or specific topics and selecting journals that align with their target audience.
Professor Race also highlighted the importance of peer review in enhancing the credibility and accessibility of published research, advising students to use feedback constructively, even if critical.
As part of the broader effort to promote research excellence, Professor Race encouraged scholars to connect their work with global debates by reading articles from high-quality journals and publications.
This workshop was part of N-POC’s ongoing efforts to support emerging researchers at USP in navigating the complexities of academic publishing, reinforcing the importance of contributing bold and well-interpreted insights to global knowledge.
The Norway-Pacific Ocean-Climate Scholarship Programme (N-POC) is an ambitious research and PhD training partnership between the University of Bergen in Norway and USP and is funded for 2021–2026 by Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
The programme comprises up to 22 fully funded PhD scholarships at the USP within ocean and climate research, ranging from the natural sciences, to law, social sciences and humanities.
