How many academic journals do you know that let you submit a 250-word proposal for a paper and then provide constructive feedback before you commit the time and energy to a complete manuscript? The International Journal for Academic Development (IJAD) is one such supportive journal — and as we discovered, this developmental approach is what the journal is aiming to do.

On Thursday 14 October 2025 members of the HERDSA Academic Development SIG had the rare opportunity to meet with four of IJAD's editors: Professor Mary Wright (co lead editor), Professor Henk Huijser (associate editor), Dr Elisa Bone (associate editor), and Dr Tracy Zou (associate editor). The conversation didn't just humanise the journal editors — it made publishing with IJAD feel less intimidating and achievable. We appreciated the editor's encouragement to submit papers to build the community collegiately. They all spoke about the journal promoting academic development and the importance of publishing.

What do IJAD editors looking for in a potential publication?

It’s all about the implications for academic development and being relevant to an international audience, and building on the conversation taking place in the journal itself.

The editors were clear about what they're looking for. Mary Wright highlighted the journal's commitment to international exchange, noting that while single-context studies are absolutely acceptable and welcome, authors need to explain the context and implications for an international readership.

Tracy Zou further emphasised that submissions should draw on “hopefully an international literature, meaning a range of resources or references, not just from one particular continent or country.”

They stressed the importance of clear implications for academic development, and the vision for the future.

Strategic Publishing Opportunities

Beyond the traditional 6,000-word research articles (and yes, that word limit is strict and includes references), IJAD offers multiple pathways:

• Reflections on practice (1,000 words)
• Reflections on research (1,500 words)
• Book reviews (up to 1,500 words)
• Those invaluable 250-word proposals

Special issues

Special issues present a good opportunity to publish with IJAD. As Elisa Bone shared from her own experience, she discovered IJAD through responding to a special issue call, ultimately having manuscripts from two different working groups accepted — a pathway that led to her current role as associate editor.

The AI Conversation

One of the session's most thought-provoking discussions centred on the use of generative AI for writing and reviewing.

The journal follows Taylor & Francis's policy that " Authors are accountable for the originality, validity, and integrity of the content of their submissions. In choosing to use Generative AI tools, journal authors are expected to do so responsibly and in accordance with our journal editorial policies on authorship”

But the editors' concerns went deeper. Henk Huijser noted a troubling trend: "there are a lot of articles that are really quite bland that gets submitted, that sort of lack a bit of a creative spark, and are quite dull to read, essentially... they're kind of flawless, but they seem to have... a kind of generic feel to it".

Particularly concerning was the emergence of AI-generated peer reviews. As Henk Huijser shared, "I have actually had a couple of instances now... where we've had reviews that were very obviously produced by ChatGPT... they're very long, and... give suggestions for each individual sentence in the article, which is really awful". The journal now requires reviewers to attest they haven't used AI tools in their review process.

For those aiming high, they recommended reading the journal's annual Article of the Year winners (and this year's first-ever Reflection on Practice) to understand the standards and types of work IJAD celebrates.

Your Opportunity to Engage

The editors made clear that IJAD aims to be a community journal for the International Consortium of Educational Development, and they actively encourage engagement beyond just submitting articles, e.g. reviewing for the journal.

Wish you could have been there? Watch the recording and make sure you join HERDSA Academic Development LinkedIn group so you do not miss future events and webinars.

youtube.com/watch?v=zl77t7sLkcA&feature=youtu.be