On September 4, 2026, the School of Media and Communication (SMC) hosted an academic lecture on publishing in leading scholarly journals, delivered by Professor Hailong Liu from the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China. The lecture was moderated by Professor Liangen Yin of SMC and attracted a large number of faculty members and students.

Drawing on his experience as an editor and reviewer, Professor Liu offered practical and thought-provoking insights into what defines strong academic research, how publication practices differ between Chinese and international journals, how the peer-review process works, and why academic research should uphold its social responsibility. He emphasized that rigorous research should be grounded in solid theoretical foundations, driven by meaningful questions, and responsive to both academic debates and contemporary social issues.

Turning to journal publication, Professor Liu encouraged researchers to think strategically about how their topics and approaches align with a journal’s scope and expectations. He also highlighted the importance of academic conventions and suggested viewing peer review and revision as part of the process of strengthening a manuscript. Comparing publishing practices in China and abroad, he noted that journal priorities and writing expectations vary across academic contexts, making it important to choose publication venues that best fit the nature and goals of the research.

Another key theme of the lecture was the public dimension of academic research. Professor Liu cautioned against pursuing fashionable topics simply because they attract attention. Instead, he encouraged scholars to focus on questions with lasting intellectual and social value. The lecture concluded with a lively Q&A session on research design, journal selection, and academic publishing, providing participants with practical guidance on developing and publishing their research.