We held a 5-day scientific writing course in Porto, bringing together PhD students to sharpen their skills in publishing high-quality articles. The program explored essential questions such as: why and how we write scientific articles, the basic rules of structure and style, how to select the right journal, the ethics of authorship, and how to respond constructively to peer review. Participants also engaged in lively discussions about the evolving role of AI in scientific publishing.
Alongside lectures, the course offered interactive sessions, peer feedback, and practical guidance, creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. David Carmena and Prof. Lucy J. Robertson for their expert teaching and dedication, and to all the students for their enthusiastic participation.









The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. All attendees found the workshop useful, with ten describing it as extremely useful and one as very useful. As one participant noted: “everything was really clear.”
The journal club session was particularly well received: nine participants rated it extremely useful and two very useful. Ten out of eleven said they would consider starting a journal club at their own institution, inspired by their experience in Porto.
Collegiality was highlighted as a major strength, with participants praising the welcoming and supportive environment:
- “Super friendly participants and teachers”
- “I managed to create some friendships”
The workshop was rated 4.8 out of 5 stars overall, and every participant said they would recommend it to other PhD students if it were to be run again.
When asked which aspects were most helpful, participants valued:
- Hands-on analysis of articles with expert guidance
- The journal club format
- The combination of lectures, manuscript workshops, and peer evaluation
- Practical insights from professors who are also experienced reviewers
In their own words, the biggest takeaways included learning to:
- Pay attention to detail and adopt a critical approach in writing and reading
- Be precise, write more clearly, and gain confidence in their writing
- Connect theory with practice and apply lessons directly to their work
Several students summed up the experience for fellow PhD students:
- “A very useful, perhaps crucial, training on writing skills combining theory and much effective practice. Surprisingly powerful – a lot of impact in just one week.”
- “This training is really helpful for taking the first steps in scientific reading and writing, and doing so in the right way.”
- “An excellent opportunity to learn about manuscript writing, from choosing a journal to preparing an article and reading other articles critically.”
Overall, the workshop not only strengthened participants’ writing skills but also built a sense of community and collaboration that will extend far beyond Porto.