This Academic Publishing Workshop will be led by MDPI Regional Journal Relations Specialists Dr. Barnaby Crook and Dr. Sally Wu who will present on the following topics: “Tips for Writing Great Research Papers”, “Publication Ethics for Authors”, and “AI in Publishing: Challenges and Opportunities”.

In the first part of the workshop, participants will receive practical advice on essential aspects of writing academic articles. In the second part of the workshop, attendees will learn about publication ethics from a publisher’s perspective, including common ethical pitfalls and how to avoid them. In the final part of the workshop, participants will receive an introduction to contemporary issues around AI in publishing and learn how to use AI responsibly in their own research. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the academic publishing landscape and how to successfully contribute to it.

Agenda:

8:30 - 8:40: Introduction

8:40 – 9:05: Dr. Sally Wu
Regional Journal Relations Specialist
MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
"Tips for Writing Great Research Papers"
(Structuring a research paper, Tips for every section of a research paper, Q and A)

9:05 – 9:30: Drs. Sally Wu & Barnaby Crook
“Publication Ethics for Authors”
(Ethical issues in scientific publishing, Avoiding ethical pitfalls, Q and A)

9:30 - 10:00: Dr. Barnaby Crook
Regional Journal Relations Specialist
MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
“AI in Publishing: Challenges and Opportunities”
 - (AI in scientific publishing, How to use AI ethically, Q and A)

Speaker Information:

Barnaby Crook completed an MA in philosophy and neuroscience at the Humboldt University of Berlin in 2021 and a PhD in the philosophy of artificial intelligence at the University of Bayreuth in 2025. After moving from Germany to Toronto, Dr. Crook began working for MDPI as an Assistant Editor with the journal IJERPH. He now works as a Regional Journal Relations Specialist for North America. In this role, Dr. Crook builds and maintains relationships with academic stakeholders, fostering collaboration and developing partnerships. He is passionate about scientific communication and research integrity.

Sally Wu completed a PhD in Medical Science at the University of Toronto. She studied the metabolic side effects of antipsychotics drugs for patients with schizophrenia. Shortly after graduating, Dr. Wu began working for MDPI as an Assistant Editor for Cells. She now works as a Regional Journal Relations Specialist. In this role Dr. Wu travels across North America to attend conferences and other scholarly events, communicating with a diverse array of academic stakeholders. She is passionate about scientific communication and dissemination.

Thursday, February 5, 2026
Seminar Location: 8:30 - 9:30 am EST | Goergen Hall 101
Workshop Location: 9:40 - 11:00 am EST | Goergen Hall 102

- flyer (pdf)