Submitting a paper to a scientific journal can feel intimidating – especially for first-time authors. But the process is far less mysterious than it seems. Understanding what happens behind the scenes can take much of the fear out of it. Publishing is an essential part of every doctoral journey – and it’s more manageable than many expect. With a clear grasp of the editorial process and attention to key submission criteria, taking the first step toward publication becomes significantly less daunting.

Many manuscripts never reach the peer review stage – and often, not because of the science itself. Early rejections (so-called “desk rejections”) frequently result from avoidable issues. These are non-negotiable elements in the editorial screening process and can lead to immediate rejection, regardless of the research quality. Common reasons include:

• The manuscript is out of scope for the journal
• Scientific writing does not meet the required standard
• Improperly formatted figures or references
• The significance of the work is insufficiently or unclearly communicated

This “Meet your Peers!” session offers an inside look at what really happens after submission: how editors assess manuscripts, how reviewers are chosen, and how final decisions are made. Understanding this workflow is a key step in approaching scientific publishing with greater confidence and clarity.

Lecturer: Caroline Karina Chandra, M.Sc.
Caroline Karina Chandra is research associate at the Center for Structural Materials of the State Materials Testing Institute Darmstadt (MPA) and the Department and Institute of Materials Science (IfW). She works in the fields of erosion and cavitation corrosion, friction wear investigations, and corrosion protection.

About "Meet your Peers!""Meet your Peers" is the perfect opportunity to be inspired, gain new perspectives and strengthen your network within the Graduate School. Whether it is about scientific content or dealing with the challenges of interdisciplinary teams – here you will find inspiration, expertise and practical insights.

An exciting impulse awaits you in every appointment:

• either from technical experts who provide practical tips for your research or
• of peers who offer valuable suggestions for "daily doing" in interdisciplinary collaboration

Participation in the event requires a doctoral project or ongoing doctoral procedure (e.g. an industrial doctorate) at TU Darmstadt in the fields of energy and the environment.

How to join
The event is held online. To join, please use the following link:
https://tu-darmstadt.zoom-x.de/j/69663137514?pwd=aKwiTaFt6uisacc9sCDjF8F6PsxZUe.1

Meeting-ID: 696 6313 7514
Passcode: 480222