Institute for Global Public Policy, Fudan University

LSE-Fudan Research Centre for Global Public Policy

April 25th, 2025

In the last decade, it has become increasingly easier to submit research papers to a wide range of academic journals around the world. But this opportunity for wider participation in publishing also means that it is becoming exceedingly difficult to place work in top journals. This is especially true for many early career scholars who are unfamiliar with the process of publishing—a process which remains under the control of a select number of gatekeepers, usually senior scholars at top research universities (often, though not always, in the West/Global North). The upshot is that many early career scholars often lack the knowledge and understanding necessary to place their otherwise high-quality scholarship in the leading journals in their fields.

The purpose of this workshop is to give early career scholars an important look ‘behind the curtain’ of academic publishing. Participants will be invited to bring one particular piece of research that they are currently preparing for submission. Using the actionable advice provided by the editors, participants will then ‘peer-review’ each other’s work with an eye towards ‘getting past desk’ in their preferred journal(s).  This workshop will introduce participants to the various actions they can take to increase the chances that their submissions will make it ‘past desk’ and into the hands of reviewers.

Two senior scholars/editors will participate in the workshop and give participants invaluable insights into publishing in top area studies, public policy, single- and interdisciplinary journals. They are: