12 Weeks to Publication
12 Weeks to Publication supports early-career researchers (ECRs) and other researchers needing or wanting to improve their journal writing skills to prepare a manuscript for submission to a Q1 or Q2 peer-reviewed journal.
Applications for 2024 are closed.
Program overview
Participants will be supported to develop their writing skills, participate in group activities and prepare a manuscript for submission to a Q1 or Q2 peer-reviewed journal.
The program is based on the highly successful workbook by Wendy Belcher: Writing Your Journal Article In 12 Weeks.
Program schedule
12 Weeks to Publication offers 30 places for participants to attend 14 online workshops held on Fridays 13:00-15:00 (AEST) from 15 March- 12 July.
The schedule allows for 1-week Easter, 1-week ANZAC Day and 2-week mid-course breaks. Participants need to allow time each week for an hour of reading and preparation, two hours of group work on Zoom and an hour or two of manuscript writing.
Week | Date | Topic | Overview |
---|---|---|---|
0 | Mar 15 | Welcome | Program benefits and expectations, set-up for success, writing as a social function. |
1 | Mar 22 | Planning | Benefits of planning and scheduling, complete your 14-week writing PLAN, develop your schedule of writing time and establish your manuscript topic. |
BREAK | March 29 | Good Friday | No workshop |
2 | April 5 | Argument | Importance of argument and how to ensure your argument is strong. |
3 | April 12 | Abstract | Abstract as a tool for success and elements of a winning abstract. |
4 | April 19 | Journal | Importance of journal selection, use of a model article and contacting the journal editor. |
BREAK | April 26 | Session Break - ANZAC DAY | No workshop |
5 | May 03 | Literature | Strategies to master reading, outline the context of your argument through synthesis of the relevant literature and how to avoid improper borrowing. |
6 | May 10 | Introduction | Summarise the significance of your argument and make your claim for significance to provide the reader with the backgrounding for your argument. |
7 | May 17 | Method & Results | Describe the research method, determine the strongest evidence and understand the most effective way to present the evidence to support your argument (findings / results). |
8 | May 24 | Discussion | Discuss the results in light of the literature. |
BREAK | 31 May - 13 June | Session Break | No Workshop |
9 | June 14 | Structure of Manuscript | Develop skills in macro editing to improve manuscript structure and increase reader comprehension.Learn how to provide and to receive peer-review. |
10 | June 21 | Title, Introduction & Conclusion | Effective opening and closing for your argument and draw conclusions based on your results and existing evidence. |
11 | June 28 | Structure (Sentences) | Improve microstructure of sentences to increase reader comprehension, using the Belcher Diagnostic Test. |
12 | July 05 | Finishing | Importance of finishing, review your abstract, finalise the manuscript and determine your submission process |
13 | July 12 | Submission | De-brief, celebration, what’s next? |
About your Host
Deborah Sims, RN, RM, Ma (Mid), Ph.D. (Nursing)
Deborah has clinical experience and research expertise in early parenting support, perinatal mental health and women’s health. Deborah is a nurse, midwife, childbirth educator, and child and family health nurse at Sydney Adventist Hospital and Women’s Health Road Clinic.
She is the CEO of Raven Institute of Research, specializing in healthcare research for women in disadvantaged populations.
Deborah, an Honorary Clinical Fellow at UTS, teaches masters of health subjects; Specialty Clinical Practice and Evidence Informing Practice as well as facilitating ’12 Weeks to Publication’ and ‘Shut up and Write’ for academic writers.
She has published five peer-reviewed journal articles and is currently undertaking a Master’s Degree in Public Health. Deborah is the past President of the Australasian Marce Society and the Secretary of the International Marce Society.
About your Co-hosts
These staff will join the program and support you to write your journal article. They will also be supporting Deb as she plans to hand over the program in 2025.
- Prof Navjot Bhullar, Rural Medicine (FoSH)
- Dr Roxanne Bodsworth, Adjunct Researcher in Creative Arts (Writing) (FoAE)
- Assoc Prof Dirk Spennemann, Cultural Heritage Management (FoSH)