"Everyone is getting rejected" – ZeMKI PhD Workshop with Rafael Grohmann

Rejections and failures are not the exception in academic publishing — they are a core part of the process. That was one of the key takeaways from a recent ZeMKI PhD Programme workshop on publication strategies in media and communication studies. The workshop was led by Rafael Grohmann, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and 2026 Fellow at ZeMKI.

The workshop combined practical guidance on crafting strong submissions — from building a compelling argument to finding the right journal fit — with rare insider perspective from Rafael as co-editor of Platforms & Society. Participants got a behind-the-scenes look at how editorial decisions are made, what distinguishes different types of submissions, and how to navigate the publication process with more confidence. The honest message throughout: getting rejected is not a sign of failure. It is something every researcher experiences, and learning to work through it is as important as the writing itself.

This workshop was organised as part of the ZeMKI PhD Programme – but was open to all ZeMKI members and graduate students. The ZeMKI PhD Programme is a half-structured programme that provides offers a qualification scheme and cooperative and collegial support for doctoral candidates at our centre.