Event date and time: 29th July 2026, 11.00 – 12.00
As learning developers, we frequently support students in their academic writing, yet engaging in our own scholarly publication can sometimes feel daunting. However, as Syska and Buckley (2022) argue, writing should be viewed as a ‘liberatory practice’ that allows us to shape our ideas and firmly locate our academic field.
With JLDHE experiencing an exciting surge in submissions, the landscape of publishing in our discipline is thriving—but it also requires authors to be more strategic. In this ALDinHE webinar, the Managing Editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education pulls back the curtain on the publication process to provide a step-by-step walkthrough of the author’s journey.
The webinar will demystify the editorial workflow and peer-review stages, framing the process as a dialogue rather than a barrier. It will explore how to survive the initial desk review, cultivate ‘reviewer empathy’, and conceptualise high-quality research in our discipline (McDonald and Syska, 2025). By highlighting common pitfalls and offering actionable strategies to navigate revisions and rejections, this webinar aims to equip attendees with the practical insight and confidence needed to successfully share their unique voices with the wider ALDinHE community.
References:
McDonald, C., & Syska, A. (2025). What should high-quality research look like in Learning Development? Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (37), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi37.1773
Syska, A., & Buckley, C. (2022). Writing as liberatory practice: Unlocking knowledge to locate an academic field. Teaching in Higher Education, 28(2), 439–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2022.2114337
Dr Chad McDonald is Managing Editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education (JLDHE), working closely with the Editor-in-Chief to shape strategic direction and leading the end-to-end publication process. He is also the journal’s Book Review Editor and Deputy Chair of ALDinHE’s Professional Recognition Working Group. At Manchester Metropolitan University, Chad is a Senior Academic and Study Skills Tutor, where he manages a team of learning developers and provides operational leadership within a complex student support service. Holding a PhD in History and recognised as a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA), his work spans academic skills development, inclusive practice, and sector-facing scholarship in learning development.