Dealing with Desk Rejections and Addressing Reviewer Comments

Publishing in reputable journals remains one of the most important and often most challenging aspects of an academic career. For many African researchers, especially early-career scholars, navigating desk rejections and responding effectively to reviewer feedback can feel daunting. Yet these experiences are a normal part of the scholarly journey and, when approached strategically, can become powerful learning opportunities.

Recognizing this need, we are organizing a capacity-building training session designed to equip African faculty and emerging researchers with practical tools to improve their chances of publication success. This session will focus on understanding why manuscripts are desk-rejected, how to interpret and respond constructively to reviewer comments, and how to revise and resubmit papers in ways that strengthen their contribution and clarity.

During the session, participants will gain insights into:

• Understanding common reasons for desk rejections
• Strategies for responding constructively to reviewer comments
• Best practices for revising and resubmitting manuscripts
• Practical tips to improve publication success in reputable journals

This training is particularly valuable for researchers seeking to publish in high-quality journals and for those looking to build confidence in engaging with the peer review process. By learning directly from an experienced editor and scholar, participants will gain actionable guidance to navigate the publication journey more effectively.

About Speaker:

We are honoured to have Lilac Nachum,  Professor of International Business at Leeds University Business School, as the facilitator. With more than three decades of teaching, publishing, and consulting experience, she brings deep insight into the academic publishing process. She is a Fellow of the Academy of International Business and serves in editorial roles across leading journals, including the Journal of International Business Studies, the Journal of International Business Policy, and the Africa Journal of Management. Her work on globalization and global supply chains has earned multiple awards and has been widely cited in both academic and policy circles.

Join us as we support African researchers in turning feedback into opportunity and advancing their scholarly impact.