Level Up Your Publishing Journey with ACS
Getting your research published is hard. These sessions are designed to make it less so.
The Platform, Product & Publishing (PPP) 2026 Webinar Series is a specially designed four-part series for ASEAN researchers, especially early-career researchers and students who want to strengthen their research and publishing skills.
The sessions are led by experienced ACS editors and editorial board members, who will share real perspectives from the publishing process — from understanding how reviewers evaluate manuscripts to preparing a clear and well-structured research article.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Learn Practical Tips from ACS Editors & Authors – Get expert advice on scholarly publishing, ethical practices, and improving research visibility.
- Access ACS journals and resources relevant to your field – Explore ACS journals, research tools, and resources designed to support researchers at every stage.
- Built around the challenges researchers in ASEAN actually face – Designed to support researchers and students in the region.
- Earn a Certificate – Receive a certificate of participation for each session you attend. Complete all four sessions to earn the full PPP 2026 certificate.
🎯 Engage & Win! Take part in a trivia quiz for a chance to win a prize and interact with experts.
SPEAKERS
Asha Liza James, Ph.D.
Associate Publisher
Global Editorial Strategy, ACS Publications
Mandy Sum
Market & Business Development Manager, ASEAN & Oceania
ACS Publications
Mihir Jha, Ph.D.
Senior Team Lead
Global Editorial Strategy, ACS Publications
DATE
Wednesday, April 29
TIME
11:00 - 12:00 GMT+8
TYPE
Virtual (Zoom)
SPEAKERS
Dr. Asha Liza James and Mandy Sum
Demystifying Peer Review – Part 1
Peer review is a critical step in the publishing process, yet many early-career researchers are unfamiliar with how it works. In this session, Dr. Asha Liza James, Associate Publisher at ACS Publications, will explain how manuscripts are evaluated and what reviewers and editors look for during peer review.
Drawing on her experience supporting editorial strategy and publishing workflows at ACS, Dr. James will share practical insights to help authors better understand the review process and prepare manuscripts for successful evaluation.
Session Highlights
Platform:
- Exploring the ACS platform
Product:
- Discover ACS’s latest journals in multidisciplinary fields
Publishing:
- Understand how the peer review process works and what reviewers look for in a manuscript
Engagement:
- Take part in a trivia quiz for a chance to win a prize
Asha Liza James, Ph.D.
Associate Publisher
Global Editorial Strategy, ACS Publications
Before joining the ACS, Asha Liza James earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, pursuing research in the domain of nanoscience and materials chemistry.
Asha is passionate about initiatives towards improving author experience and diversity in science publishing. In her current role, Asha manages editorial workflows to support the implementation of publishing strategies and editorial initiatives to sustain and enhance ACS journals’ standing within the global science community.
DATE
Wednesday, May 6
TIME
11:00 - 12:00 GMT+8
TYPE
Virtual (Zoom)
SPEAKERS
Dr. Mihir Jha and Mandy Sum
Demystifying Peer Review – Part 2
Building on the first session, this webinar explores common challenges authors face during peer review. Participants will learn why manuscripts are often rejected and how to respond constructively to reviewer comments.
The discussion will also highlight emerging considerations in peer review, including the role of AI and research integrity in manuscript evaluation.
The session will be led by Dr. Mihir Jha, Senior Team Lead in the Global Editorial Strategy at ACS Publications. In his role, Mihir works with editorial and publishing teams to support editorial strategy and initiatives that enhance the author experience.
Session Highlights
Platform:
- Exploring the ACS platform
Product:
- Explore ACS reference works and digital books
Publishing:
- Learn why manuscripts are rejected and how to respond to reviewer comments, including AI considerations and research integrity.
Mihir Jha, Ph.D.
Senior Team Lead,
Global Editorial Strategy, ACS Publications
Mihir Jha is a Senior Team Lead at ACS Publications, where he works on developing products and services to enhance the author experience and strengthen the impact of ACS journals. In his current role, Mihir manages a team of Development Editors and Publishing Editors, collaborating with global ACS staff to support editorial strategy and ensure the smooth operation of editorial workflows.
Prior to joining ACS, he earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and his Master’s degree from IIT Madras.
DATE
Thursday, September 9, 2026
TIME
11:00 - 12:00 GMT+8
TYPE
Virtual (Zoom)
Speaker
To be announced
From Idea to Article: Scientific Writing – Part 1
Strong scientific writing is essential for communicating research clearly and effectively. This session introduces practical strategies to help early-career researchers organize their manuscript and communicate their research effectively.
Speaker to be announced.
DATE
Thursday, September 23, 2026
TIME
11:00 - 12:00 GMT+8
TYPE
Virtual (Zoom)
Speaker
To be announced
From Idea to Article: Scientific Writing – Part 2
In the final session, participants will learn how to refine their manuscript and move from draft to a submission-ready article.
These two sessions guide participants on practical approaches to organizing their manuscripts and improving the clarity of their scientific writing.
ABOUT PLATFORM, PRODUCT & PUBLISHING
Each session highlights three key elements that support researchers throughout their publishing journey:
Platform – Explore ACS platforms and researcher resources that help you discover research and stay updated with the latest developments.
Product – Learn about ACS journals, books, and reference resources that support research and teaching.
Publishing – Gain practical insights into the publishing process, including peer review, scientific writing, and preparing manuscripts for journal submission.
Together, these elements provide researchers with a clearer understanding of both the publishing process and the ACS resources that support their research journey.
CONNECT WITH ACS
Need more information about PPP 2026 or other ACS Publications resources? We're happy to help!
📩 Email us at: acsasia@acs.org
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