MDPI Open Insights – Academic Publishing Workshop at Curtin University Nursing Research Symposium, 18 July 2026

On 18 July 2026, MDPI was pleased to join Curtin University’s Nursing Research Symposium for an Academic Publishing Workshop designed for nursing research students and research nurses. The workshop focused on practical aspects of academic publishing, helping participants navigate the journey from completing their research to preparing, submitting and revising a manuscript.

The session opened with an address by Professor Phillip Della of Curtin University, followed by four sessions led by MDPI colleagues Dr. Nicolette Yau and Dr. Steven Moay.

Understanding Open Access and Choosing the Right Journal

Dr. Nicolette Yau began with an introduction to MDPI, Open Access publishing and Nursing Reports. Participants were introduced to the academic publishing process, from manuscript submission and peer review through to publication. The session also explained how choosing the right journal is an important part of communicating research effectively and ensuring that findings reach the audiences who can benefit from them.

Writing and Structuring a Strong Manuscript

Dr. Yau then shared practical guidance on how to write and structure a manuscript, covering key sections including the abstract, introduction, methods, results and discussion. She emphasised the importance of presenting research in a clear, logical and concise manner, while ensuring that the manuscript communicates the significance of the research effectively. Participants also learned about the importance of understanding their target journal and tailoring their manuscript accordingly.

Responding to Peer Review

Next, Dr. Steven Moay addressed one of the most challenging stages of academic publishing: responding to peer review. He provided practical advice on interpreting reviewer comments, responding professionally to critical feedback and clearly explaining revisions. Participants were encouraged to approach peer review as an opportunity to strengthen their work rather than simply as a hurdle between submission and publication.

AI in Academic Publishing

The workshop concluded with a timely discussion on AI in academic publishing. Dr. Moay explored how AI tools are increasingly being used in manuscript writing, language enhancement, peer review and editorial workflows. The session also considered important issues surrounding authorship, transparency, plagiarism and research integrity. As AI continues to influence scholarly communication, understanding how to use these tools responsibly will be increasingly important for researchers.

Supporting the Next Generation of Nursing Researchers

The workshop provided participants with practical insights into academic publishing while creating an opportunity to discuss some of the challenges researchers encounter when preparing and submitting their work.

For nursing research students and research nurses, developing strong publishing skills is an important step towards ensuring that valuable research can reach the wider academic and professional community.

MDPI would like to thank Professor Phillip Della, Curtin University and the Nursing Research Symposium team for having us as part of the programme, and all participants for their engagement and thoughtful questions throughout the workshop.

We look forward to continuing to support researchers in sharing their work and contributing to the advancement of nursing research.