A good thesis requires good communication between you and your thesis supervisor. This includes emails! Yet, even a simple email can lead to stress and overthinking. If you struggle to communicate with your thesis supervisor via email, have a look…
Peer-reviewing an academic manuscript is not an easy task. Especially if you are unsure about how to formulate your feedback. Examples of reviewer comments can help! Here you can find an overview of sample comments and examples for the most…
A ‘reject’ verdict means that a manuscript is not considered suitable to be published in an academic journal. Out of all editorial decisions, a ‘reject decision’ on a manuscript is the harshest. Therefore, it is important to reject a manuscript kindly. Sample comments and two examples help peer reviewers to…
Co-authorship can be an efficient (and fun!) way to work on research publications. However, finding a suitable co-author is not always easy. Here are five proven ways to find co-authors to help you get started with your search for academic collaborators. Contents 1. Finding co-authors in your department or lab2.…
Most European universities require a master’s degree to enter a PhD program. This is one of the fundamental differences to the US system. It also tends to result in less coursework for PhD students in Europe. It raises one fundamental question: On average, how long does it take to complete…
When working in academia, it is easy to forget how rare it is to have a PhD. However, data show that only a very small percentage of people hold a PhD degree. Learn more about the percentages of PhD holders, in addition to the numbers of PhD graduates and new…
Journal and conference papers are not the same, and both formats have advantages and disadvantages. A good understanding of the key differences between journal and conference papers avoids pitfalls, such as copyright issues when wanting to turn a conference into a journal paper at a later stage. Contents What is…
If you are nearing the end of your degree, few questions are more annoying or nerve-wracking than “What are your plans after graduation?”. However, with a bit of preparation, you can offer a swift response, regardless of whether you have any plans or not (yet). Contents Why “What are your…
Submitting a manuscript to an academic journal is a big step. It is also the beginning of a complex publication process in which a manuscript goes through different stages. In each stage, the status of a manuscript changes. Understanding this process is pivotal for academic researchers. Contents Overview of stages…
Nearing the end of a master’s programme comes with big life decisions. What’s next? After spending several years in higher education, this question can be challenging. Nonetheless, having a plan for the future is crucial. A list of concrete questions to answer, actions to take, and decisions to make helps…