I used to think that once I got a paper published, I’d feel like I had made it. But then I realised that publishing isn’t just about getting one paper out—it’s about creating a sustainable research pipeline.

In this final part of the series, we’ll talk about how to:
✔ Build a publication pipeline to keep your research moving forward
✔ Engage in peer review to strengthen your writing and reputation
✔ Expand your research impact beyond traditional journals
✔ Develop a long-term publishing strategy that aligns with your career goals

Let’s dive in.

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1️. Creating a Sustainable Publishing Pipeline

One of the hardest lessons I learned was what happens when you don’t keep multiple papers in progress. I once had a paper stuck under review for 1.5 years—and because I had no backup projects, my research momentum stalled.

If possible, it really helps to think strategically, plan ahead and develop a publishing pipeline strategy.   

📌 The Three-Paper Pipeline Strategy

✔ Paper 1: In Review – A manuscript submitted to a journal, waiting for feedback
✔ Paper 2: In Revision – A manuscript being revised based on reviewer comments
✔ Paper 3: In Development – A manuscript still in the writing or analysis stage

💡 Pro Tip: Keep a simple tracking document with submission dates, reviewer feedback, and next steps. This helps keep your research moving forward, even when things are delayed.

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📌 Publishing Pipeline Planner

Use the planner below to track your projects and avoid research stagnation:

Paper Title	Journal Target	Current Status	Next Steps	Submission Date	Reviewer Feedback
[Paper 1 Title]	[Journal Name]	Drafting	Finalise methodology & add references	[Date]	N/A
[Paper 2 Title]	[Journal Name]	In Review	Awaiting feedback	[Date]	N/A
[Paper 3 Title]	[Journal Name]	Major Revisions	Clarify theoretical framework & add quotes	[Date]	Addressing reviewer concerns
[Paper 4 Title]	[Journal Name]	Rejected	Revise & submit to a better-aligned journal	[Date]	Reviewer bias—misapplied quantitative criteria
[Paper 5 Title]	[Journal Name]	Accepted	Plan next submission	[Date]	N/A

💡 Pro Tip: Try to have one paper in progress, one under review, and one in revision to maintain momentum.

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2️. Becoming a Peer Reviewer (and Why It Matters)

At first, I was terrified to submit my papers. I worried about rejection, critical feedback, and the stress of the wait. But becoming a peer reviewer myself really helped.

📌 Benefits of Becoming a Peer Reviewer

✔ Improves Your Own Writing – Seeing common mistakes in others’ work helps you refine your own
✔ Builds Your Reputation – Editors may invite you to contribute to special issues or editorial boards
✔ Keeps You Updated on Trends – Reviewing exposes you to cutting-edge research before it’s published

📌 How to Get Started as a Reviewer

✔ Volunteer for Journals – Email editors expressing interest, especially if you’ve published in their journal
✔ Use Reviewer Databases – Sign up with Publons, Web of Science, or journal websites
✔ Leverage Your Network – Ask mentors or colleagues for review opportunities

💡 Pro Tip: When reviewing, provide balanced feedback—highlight strengths, not just weaknesses. A good review is constructive, encouraging, and methodologically sound.

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3️. Expanding Your Research Impact Beyond Journals

Academic publishing is only one way to share research. Many of my most meaningful research conversations have happened outside of traditional academia, through lectures, trainings, blogs, community infographics and policy briefs.

📌 Ways to Disseminate Your Research More Broadly

✔ Academic Blogging – Platforms like The Conversation or Medium allow you to translate findings into plain language
✔ Podcasts & Webinars – Discussing your work helps reach wider audiences
✔ Policy Briefs – Summarising your findings for policymakers can significantly boost real-world impact
✔ Social Media Engagement – Sharing research on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn expands your academic and industry reach

💡 Pro Tip: Keep a non-technical summary of your research ready—this makes it easier to adapt for different platforms.

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4️. Developing a Long-Term Publishing Strategy

The biggest shift in my research career happened when I stopped thinking paper by paper and started planning for the long term.

📌 Key Questions to Guide Your Strategy

✔ What are your research priorities for the next 5 years?
✔ Which journals and formats best align with your work?
✔ How can you build collaborations to strengthen your research?

📌 Steps to Strengthen Your Publishing Trajectory

✔ Align Research with Career Goals – Choose projects that support tenure, funding, or leadership roles
✔ Diversify Your Co-Authors – Collaborate with experienced scholars and interdisciplinary teams
✔ Target High-Impact Journals Strategically – Balance between prestigious journals and those that welcome qualitative research
✔ Maintain a Research Calendar – Plan submission deadlines, revision timelines, and conference presentations

💡 Pro Tip: Consider writing a series of papers—where each study builds on the last. This creates a strong research narrative over time.

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Final Takeaways: Turning Publishing into a Sustainable Process

Publishing isn’t about one paper—it’s about building a sustainable system that keeps your research moving forward.

✔ Stay Resilient – Rejections happen to everyone; persistence is key
✔ Keep a Publishing Pipeline – Always have multiple papers at different stages
✔ Engage with the Peer Review Process – Both as an author and a reviewer
✔ Expand Your Impact – Think beyond journals and into public engagement
✔ Think Long-Term – Develop a publishing plan that aligns with your career goals

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What’s your biggest challenge in building a long-term publishing strategy? Let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

References

Agarwal, S., Latif, S., & Beck, F. (2020, October). How visualization PhD students cope with paper rejections. In 2020 IEEE Workshop Celebrating the Scientific Value of Failure (FailFest) (pp. 6-10). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.xxxx

Clarke, V., Braun, V., Adams, J., Callaghan, J. E., LaMarre, A., & Semlyen, J. (2024). Being really confidently wrong: Qualitative researchers’ experiences of methodologically incongruent peer review feedback. Qualitative Psychology.

Taylor & Francis Author Services. (n.d.). 10 factors to consider while choosing the best journal for your research. Retrieved from https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/blog/get-published/3-great-tools-and-resources-to-help-you-choose-a-journal/

Wiley Author Services. (n.d.). Step-by-step guide to reviewing a manuscript. Retrieved from https://authorservices.wiley.com/Reviewers/journal-reviewers/how-to-perform-a-peer-review/step-by-step-guide-to-reviewing-a-manuscript.html