How to Write International Quality Publications
In October 2019, the Workshop on How to Write International Quality Publications (WoRQ) was successfully delivered across three Indonesian cities: Medan, Semarang, and Jakarta. This intensive capacity-building programme was designed to support Indonesian early and mid-career researchers in developing high-quality manuscripts suitable for publication in internationally recognized journals—particularly Q1 and Q2 journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
The workshop was part of a strategic initiative under the British Council Indonesia and aligned with the broader objectives of the Newton Fund, which aims to foster research excellence and international collaboration between the UK and Indonesia.
At TecheSight, we design and deliver transformative workshops tailored to early and mid-career researchers. Our programmes go beyond theory—providing practical tools for academic writing, publishing in international journals, leveraging digital research tools, and building global collaborations.
Objectives of the Workshop
The WoRQ Workshop focused on equipping researchers with both the theoretical understanding and practical tools required to successfully publish in high-impact journals. Key objectives included:
- Enhancing participants’ understanding of academic writing conventions and editorial expectations of leading journals
- Providing structured, discipline-specific feedback to improve draft manuscripts
- Supporting researchers in identifying suitable journals and tailoring submissions accordingly
- Fostering peer-review awareness and revision skills
- Building confidence in English academic writing and cross-cultural academic communication
Locations and Schedule
The workshops were held in three strategic locations to ensure national reach and accessibility:
- Medan (North Sumatra) – 21–22 October 2019
- Semarang (Central Java) – 24–25 October 2019
- Jakarta – 28–29 October 2019
Each city hosted a 2-day intensive training programme, allowing for deep engagement and follow-up.
The workshop combined multiple learning formats to maximize participant outcomes:
1. Plenary Sessions
Each day began with interactive plenary lectures delivered by experienced UK-based researchers and journal editors. These sessions addressed key elements of writing for international journals, such as:
- Understanding editorial criteria
- Structuring research articles (IMRAD model)
- Avoiding common pitfalls in academic writing
- Ethics in publishing and authorship conventions
2. Group-Based Manuscript Clinics
Researchers were grouped based on discipline (e.g., social sciences or life sciences) and took part in focused manuscript discussions. Facilitators reviewed manuscript drafts submitted in advance and provided targeted feedback in real time.
3. One-on-One Mentorship
Perhaps the most impactful element of the workshop was the one-on-one manuscript review sessions. Each participant received individual feedback from international and local facilitators, allowing them to identify areas for improvement and develop an action plan for submission.