Most paper rejections I see are not about “bad science.” They’re about a bad fit. The paper is solid. The data is fine. But the journal and the article were never meant for each other. Here is how to fix that. Step 1: Start with your reference list Before you open any ranking or metric, open your own paper. Look at the references: which journals appear again and again? Those journals are already publishing work like yours – same topic, similar methods, similar audience. That’s your first shortlist. If a journal shows up multiple times in your references, it’s worth checking: - Do they publish your type of article (original research, review, methods)? - Have they published something close to your niche in the last 1–2 years? Step 2: Read the “Aims and Scope” (for real this time) Every journal has an Aims and Scope page. Most authors skim it. Editors don’t – they use it. Ask yourself: - Does my paper clearly sit inside these topics? - Do my methods fit their usual style? - Can I honestly explain in one sentence why this journal’s readership should care? If you can’t answer “yes” to those, it’s probably not the right home. Step 3: Think about who you want to reach Not every paper needs to be published in a “top 1%” journal. Ask a different question: who needs to read this? Is it: - A specific discipline (e.g. chemical engineers)? - An interdisciplinary audience (e.g. energy + policy)? - Practitioners (e.g. industry, clinicians, policymakers)? Pick journals whose readership overlaps with the people you want to influence. A “lower IF” journal that your exact community reads is often more valuable than a fancy generalist title no one in your niche follows. Step 4: Use journal finder tools as a map, not a GPS Publisher platforms and journal finder tools can suggest venues based on your title and abstract. They’re useful for: - Discovering journals you’ve never heard of. - Checking whether your paper leans more disciplinary or interdisciplinary.

You might have noticed I’ve been a bit quieter here recently. I wanted to be transparent with you about what’s going on. At my university, all research professor roles have been placed at risk of redundancy, and I’m currently in the middle of that consultation process. That means my position is not redundant, but I do need to invest a lot of time and energy into navigating this, demonstrating impact, and doing everything I can to secure my role. As you can see, even professorial roles aren’t 100% secure so chose your career paths wisely. Because of that, I’ve had to slow down a little on public content and engagement. The good news is that our inner circle continues, and my commitment to the people who’ve chosen to be closer to my work hasn’t changed. In many ways, this process is reinforcing why communities like this matter so much to me. Thank you for your understanding, patience, and support while I move through this chapter. I’m not going anywhere – just operating with a bit less bandwidth while the process runs its course. P.S. if you want to join inner circle, have a look here: skool.com/research-career-club-8446/plans

If I were to deliver one live training next month, I want it to be something that actually moves the needle for you. Not just “another webinar”. From my conversations with academics and researchers, I keep hearing three big challenges come up again and again: 1. Publishing academic papers in good journals without getting stuck in endless revise-and-resubmit cycles 2. Doing robust, defensible techno‑economic assessments that funders, reviewers and industry actually trust 3. Using LinkedIn strategically as a researcher to build visibility, attract collaborators and create real‑world impact beyond publications Instead of guessing which one to tackle next, I’d love your input. I’ve set up a quick poll with these three options – it will take you 3 seconds to vote, and your answer will directly shape the next training I run. 👇 AFTER YOU VOTE Drop a comment telling me: – What feels hardest for you right now (publishing, TEA, or LinkedIn)? – What would make a 60–90 minute session on that topic unmissable for you? The more context you share, the more practical, specific and valuable I can make this session for you and the wider research community.

Regardless of happening in your life, whether that’s personal or professional matters, it’s important to take care of yourself. Industries & sectors change, some people are promoted, some lose their jobs. Those willing to enter the sector may find it hard at first. But remember, jobs don’t define who you are. You define yourself.