MDPI Singapore Clinical Sciences and Medical Editors’ Salon: Fostering Dialogue on Research, Publishing and Ethics, 6 August 2026
On 6 August 2026, MDPI Singapore hosted its inaugural Clinical Sciences and Medical Editors’ Salon at the elegant voco Orchard Singapore, bringing together Editorial Board Members, researchers, editors, and academic professionals from across the clinical and medical sciences for a morning of knowledge exchange, discussion, and networking.
The Salon provided a platform for participants to engage in open conversations about the evolving research and publishing landscape, while concurrently exploring how publishers and scholars can work together to support a more responsible, transparent, and collaborative research ecosystem.
The session began with a welcome address by Dr. Wei Thye Lee, Operations Manager and IOAP Manager at MDPI Singapore, who shared updates on MDPI’s recent developments, including updates to journal Impact Factors and an overview of activities and initiatives undertaken by the Singapore office over the past year.
This was followed by a session led by Dr. Ada Zhu, who explored current developments in the field and the growing role of artificial intelligence in academia. The session introduced participants to a range of AI tools and discussed how these technologies are increasingly being incorporated into different stages of academic research and publishing.
A key highlight of the Salon was the roundtable discussion entitled “Strengthening Collaboration Between Publishers and Scholars,” which provided an open forum for participants to share perspectives on the challenges facing today’s research community, including changing expectations around publishing, communication between researchers and publishers, and ways in which publishers can better support scholars throughout the research and publication process. Participants also shared their individual experiences and concerns, contributing to a candid and constructive exchange of ideas.
Following the roundtable, participants gathered for a group photograph before enjoying a tea break. The informal setting provided an opportunity for attendees to continue their conversations, exchange experiences, and build connections with fellow researchers and editors.
The programme continued with an engaging presentation by Prof. Dr. Tar-Choon Aw, who reflected on his experiences in academic publishing and explored some of the motivations behind conducting research. Combining personal insights with humour and practical observations, his presentation offered an engaging perspective on the realities of academic research and publishing. He also shared valuable suggestions and feedback for MDPI, further contributing to the open dialogue between the publishing and research communities.
The final presentation was delivered by Dr. Tom Hewat, Research Integrity Specialist, who examined ethics across different aspects of academic publishing. His session covered both publishing ethics and human research ethics, before taking a deeper look at the emerging role of AI tools for authors and reviewers. The discussion highlighted the importance of using AI responsibly and maintaining appropriate standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout the research and publication process.
The Salon concluded with an award ceremony celebrating three outstanding contributors:
Dr. Ramani V;
Prof. Dr. Tar-Choon Aw;
Dr. Piyanee Yobas.
A luncheon followed, providing participants with a final opportunity to continue discussions and connect with peers in a more informal setting.
Through its combination of expert presentations, open discussion, and networking opportunities, the inaugural Clinical Sciences and Medical Editors’ Salon highlighted the importance of continued dialogue between publishers and the academic community.
MDPI Singapore looks forward to creating more opportunities for researchers, editors, and academic leaders to exchange perspectives and collectively contribute to the development of a responsible and sustainable research and publishing landscape.
