Publishing in peer-reviewed outlets is a central expectation of academic life. Yet many scholars, particularly early-career researchers and those working in resource-constrained or interdisciplinary contexts, receive limited formal training in how academic publishing actually works. This Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshop is designed as a capacity-building session for conference participants seeking to strengthen their scholarly publishing practices across a range of formats, including peer-reviewed registers (journals), edited book chapters, monographs, and applied outputs such as consultation and advocacy reports.

The workshop offers a practical, demystifying overview of the academic publishing landscape, with attention to selecting appropriate outlets, aligning manuscripts with journal or publisher scopes, and understanding peer-review and editorial decision-making processes. Participants will be guided through common reasons for manuscript rejection, including issues of fit, originality, methodological rigor, theoretical and/or applied contribution, and clarity of argument. They will learn how these decisions are typically communicated by editors and reviewers. Particular emphasis will be placed on professional etiquette in responding to reviewers’ and editors’ comments, including strategies for revision, resubmission, and constructive engagement with critical feedback.

In addition, the workshop addresses broader considerations that shape successful publishing trajectories, such as ethical authorship practices, collaboration and mentoring, managing rejection and revision cycles, navigating impact and visibility, and balancing scholarly rigour with accessibility. The workshop will draw on real-world examples and reflective discussion, equipping participants with actionable knowledge, realistic expectations, and confidence to engage productively with academic publishing as an ongoing professional practice rather than a one-time achievement.

Speaker Biography

William C. Frick

Dr William C. Frick is currently a Professor in the College of Public Policy at the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and a faculty developer with the Institute of Leadership in Higher Education. Previously, he was the Rainbolt Family Endowed Presidential Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma, United States. He is the founding director of the Center for Leadership Ethics and Change, an affiliate body of the international Consortium for the Study of Leadership and Ethics in Education (CSLEE) of the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA). Professor Frick has assumed editorial roles and been appointed to editorial boards in a number of prominent registers including, and most recently, Leadership and Policy in Schools, the Journal of Educational Administration, and the Journal of School Leadership. Prior to his higher education academic roles, Professor Frick was a practitioner in common education public schools including building and district-level administration. He has been awarded Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar and Fulbright Public Policy Fellow assignments. A doctoral graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, United States, his research interests include the philosophy of administrative leadership, school system reform within urban municipality revitalisation efforts, and broader cultural studies exploring the intersection of identity and schooling. A coauthored book with Jacqueline A. Stefkovich titled Best Interests of the Student: Applying Ethical Constructs to Legal Cases in Education (2006) is now in its third edition with Routledge. He has served in multiple officer and representative roles for national professional associations such as AERA, UCEA, and the CSLEE as well as local schools and school systems.

About the Presenter(s)
Dr William C. Frick is currently a Professor in the College of Public Policy at the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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