NB to remember some fields there are just more opportunities to publish so this is a general guide and not all tips will apply depending on your discipline.  

Another important note, whilst publishing is important for most researchers who intend to continue within academia, it is not the be all and end all. Things are changing and the number of papers you have listed on your CV is not the determining factor on whether or not you get that next job.  

 

1. Have open conversations with your supervisor/ advisory team early about your want to publish. Some supervisors don’t expect or pressure their students to publish and just focus on the final thesis. If they know publishing is a goal for you then they are more likely to (i) help you identify opportunities to publish your results, (ii) invite you to collaborate on papers outside of your PhD, and (iii) maybe more likely to get feedback to you quicker.  

 

2. Have a publication plan/strategy from the beginning of your PhD. This might seem like you are getting ahead of yourself, but having a clear plan of what you want to publish and when can help you in designing your research studies and also gives you clear and distinct goals to aim for. It can be motivating to know that after X study you will write up the results and submit them for publication, compared to writing it up for a gigantic thesis that won’t be due for 3+ years. A publication plan might include manuscripts like a systematic review and a protocol paper towards the beginning of your PhD, and qualitative and/or quantitative result manuscripts towards the middle and end of your PhD.  

 

3. Dedicate time to writing. The more familiar you get writing manuscripts, the better and faster you will become. Most manuscripts will follow a similar layout (Abstract > Introduction > Methods > Results > Discussion), and each section of the manuscript will be structured in a particular way. For example, the introduction will have a paragraph introducing the broad research area, a paragraph outlining the gap in the literature, and close with a line or two on your research question and broad study design. The discussion will typically include the strengths and limitations of your research, and some specific implications for future research and your field. As soon as you have a research idea, or start a study, open a document with the running title, authors, author institutions, and manuscript headings.  

 

4. Collaborate. Yes, you want first author publications, however it is also great experience to contribute to writing a manuscript as part of a team. Another reason why networking is such an important skill to develop during your PhD. You might have the opportunity to collaborate with members within your research group or department, but you also might get the chance to work with a completely different group – potentially leading to future job opportunities and further collaboration.  

 

5. Don’t be afraid of feedback. My first manuscript was desk-rejected at record speed. I didn’t really understand the editor’s feedback until I read back over it when preparing for my viva! Likewise, don’t be disheartened if your first draft is covered in comments from your supervisor. This is all part of the process. You will become a better writer but it’s also important to acknowledge that feedback (and rejection) is an ongoing part of academia. So don’t let the fear of feedback and rejection hold you back.  

 

6. Know where your colleagues are publishing. It goes without saying that you should be reading a lot during your PhD. It’s also a good idea to keep a list of the journals that keep coming up within your field. You can get an idea of what journals publish qualitative results, who publishes pilot trials, where is best to submit your commentary piece and so on.  

 

7. It is a timely process from submitting your draft to it actually appearing online/in paper. Diligently following the Author Guidelines (listed on every journal website) will help speed up this process. By adhering to the word count, the layout, headings, referencing style, you will save a lot of time by not getting the manuscript sent back to you before even going to peer review. It can also be useful to email the editor prior to submitting your manuscript to ensure your research question/design is in line with the scope of the journal.