On 13th of November 2025, the Smart Windows for Zero Energy Buildings (SWEB) project hosted a new capacity-building seminar at ISSP UL, welcoming Dr. Carl M. Lampert, internationally recognised materials scientist and long-time Editor-in-Chief of Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. His seminar offered young researchers a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the world of scientific publishing and the standards expected by top journals.
Dr. Lampert outlined how editors evaluate technical papers, explaining the internal editorial review process, the criteria used to judge quality, and the steps involved in external peer review. Participants learned what makes a manuscript stand out, clarity of writing, robust methodology, complete datasets, strong conclusions, and what typically leads to rejection. Special attention was given to crafting effective titles and abstracts, choosing appropriate journals, and understanding impact factor rankings.
The seminar also highlighted common pitfalls young scientists should avoid, such as incomplete experimental information, poor figures, unreadable data, weak conclusions, and improper citations. Dr. Lampert illustrated problematic practices such as “me-too papers”, “sliced onion” publications, and “Frankenstein papers”, helping participants recognise how to maintain integrity and produce meaningful, original research.
A particularly engaging part of the event was the Q&A session. Young researchers actively raised questions ranging from publication strategy to ethical considerations and communication with editors. The discussion was dynamic and insightful, demonstrating strong interest and creating a very fruitful exchange between Dr. Lampert and the participants.
By hosting this seminar, SWEB continues to support the professional growth of young scientists, equipping them with essential skills for contributing to high-quality research in materials science and related fields.
