How did you become a member of the editorial board?
I have been a regular reviewer for journals in higher education, and through this sustained contribution, I was invited by editors to join the editorial board.
Associate Editor. Higher Education Research and Development. Q1 from April 2026
Editorial Board Member for Studies in Higher Education. Q1 from August 2025
Member of International Advisory Board for Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education. From March 2022
Editorial Board Member for The Central Asia Higher Education Review. From October 2025
What does it mean in practice to be a member of the editorial board in your journal?
Serving on the editorial board of journals in higher education involves contributing to the peer review process by evaluating manuscripts within my area of expertise and advising editors on publication decisions. It also entails supporting the journal’s strategic direction by identifying emerging research areas and recommending themes special issues. More broadly, it reflects a commitment to maintaining scholarly standards, ensuring the integrity of the review process, and strengthening the journal’s academic reputation within the field.
How do you think your work on the editorial board influences the development of your field?
Are there any topics or areas that are particularly important right now—and that you help promote?
From my experience, I haven’t observed some topics being more important than others. The selection of papers for publications largely depends on the quality of the paper and its’ contribution to the broader field.
Have there been cases when a decision on a manuscript was especially difficult or principled?
Yes, particularly in cases where a manuscript addresses an important and timely topic but falls short methodologically or raises ethical concerns. In such instances, I provide constructive feedback with the responsibility to uphold the journal’s standards and integrity. These decisions often require careful judgement, especially when there is disagreement among reviewers or potential implications for the field.
What research trends have you observed through this role?
What distinguishes a strong academic article from a weak one today?
A strong article offers a clear contribution, robust methodology, and a well-positioned argument within current debates. A weak paper typically lacks conceptual clarity, methodological rigour, or a clear link to existing literature.
What mistakes do authors make most often?
Common issues include poorly defined research questions, weak alignment between theory, methods, and findings, and insufficient engagement with recent scholarship. Authors also often underestimate the importance of clarity, structure, and responding carefully to reviewer expectations.
How has your participation in the editorial board influenced your professional network?
Have there been new international collaborations?
Do you interact with authors and editors from different countries?
Serving on editorial boards has significantly expanded my professional network by connecting me with editors, reviewers, and scholars across diverse higher education systems. It has led to new international collaborations, including joint publications, and participation in academic events. Occasionally I interact with authors and editors from different countries, which provides valuable insight into global research trends and strengthens cross-national scholarly exchange.
How has this role changed you as a researcher and a teacher?
Has it influenced your own academic writing style?
What do you do differently now in your academic work?
Serving on editorial boards has made me more critical and reflective as both a researcher and a teacher. It has strengthened my academic writing by emphasising clarity, structure, and a stronger alignment between research questions, methods, and contributions. I now approach my work more strategically, with greater attention to positioning, rigour, and audience expectations.
What is the most challenging aspect of being an editorial board member?
How do you deal with ethical dilemmas (e.g., controversial manuscripts)?
Is it difficult to reject submissions?
I address ethical dilemmas by adhering closely to the journal’s guidelines, consulting editors when needed, and prioritising fairness, transparency, and academic integrity. Rejecting submissions can be difficult, particularly when the topic is important, but it is necessary to maintain quality standards. I aim to provide constructive and respectful feedback with recommendations for improving the article.
How does editorial board membership influence an academic career?
How important is it for international recognition?
Would you recommend that colleagues aspire to this role?
I believe editorial board membership strengthens an academic career by enhancing visibility, credibility, and engagement with the field’s leading scholarship. It is valuable for international recognition, as it signals expertise and connects scholars to global academic networks. I would recommend it to colleagues, as it offers both professional development and opportunities to contribute to the advancement of our teaching and research.
What advice would you give to researchers who want to join an editorial board?
What skills or achievements are most important for this?
Where is the best place to start?
Key skills include critical evaluation, methodological rigour, and the ability to provide constructive, balanced feedback. A good starting point is reviewing regularly for journals, networking at conferences, and developing a visible research profile in a clear area of expertise.
What does being part of an editorial board mean to you personally?
For me, being part of an editorial board is both a professional responsibility and a form of service to the academic community. It also strengthens my own teaching and research by sharpening my critical perspective, contributes to shaping the direction and quality of research in higher education and keeping me closely engaged with emerging scholarship in my field.
I have been a regular reviewer for journals in higher education, and through this sustained contribution, I was invited by editors to join the editorial board.
Associate Editor. Higher Education Research and Development. Q1 from April 2026
Editorial Board Member for Studies in Higher Education. Q1 from August 2025
Member of International Advisory Board for Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education. From March 2022
Editorial Board Member for The Central Asia Higher Education Review. From October 2025
What does it mean in practice to be a member of the editorial board in your journal?
Serving on the editorial board of journals in higher education involves contributing to the peer review process by evaluating manuscripts within my area of expertise and advising editors on publication decisions. It also entails supporting the journal’s strategic direction by identifying emerging research areas and recommending themes special issues. More broadly, it reflects a commitment to maintaining scholarly standards, ensuring the integrity of the review process, and strengthening the journal’s academic reputation within the field.
How do you think your work on the editorial board influences the development of your field?
Are there any topics or areas that are particularly important right now—and that you help promote?
From my experience, I haven’t observed some topics being more important than others. The selection of papers for publications largely depends on the quality of the paper and its’ contribution to the broader field.
Have there been cases when a decision on a manuscript was especially difficult or principled?
Yes, particularly in cases where a manuscript addresses an important and timely topic but falls short methodologically or raises ethical concerns. In such instances, I provide constructive feedback with the responsibility to uphold the journal’s standards and integrity. These decisions often require careful judgement, especially when there is disagreement among reviewers or potential implications for the field.
What research trends have you observed through this role?
What distinguishes a strong academic article from a weak one today?
A strong article offers a clear contribution, robust methodology, and a well-positioned argument within current debates. A weak paper typically lacks conceptual clarity, methodological rigour, or a clear link to existing literature.
What mistakes do authors make most often?
Common issues include poorly defined research questions, weak alignment between theory, methods, and findings, and insufficient engagement with recent scholarship. Authors also often underestimate the importance of clarity, structure, and responding carefully to reviewer expectations.
How has your participation in the editorial board influenced your professional network?
Have there been new international collaborations?
Do you interact with authors and editors from different countries?
Serving on editorial boards has significantly expanded my professional network by connecting me with editors, reviewers, and scholars across diverse higher education systems. It has led to new international collaborations, including joint publications, and participation in academic events. Occasionally I interact with authors and editors from different countries, which provides valuable insight into global research trends and strengthens cross-national scholarly exchange.
How has this role changed you as a researcher and a teacher?
Has it influenced your own academic writing style?
What do you do differently now in your academic work?
Serving on editorial boards has made me more critical and reflective as both a researcher and a teacher. It has strengthened my academic writing by emphasising clarity, structure, and a stronger alignment between research questions, methods, and contributions. I now approach my work more strategically, with greater attention to positioning, rigour, and audience expectations.
What is the most challenging aspect of being an editorial board member?
How do you deal with ethical dilemmas (e.g., controversial manuscripts)?
Is it difficult to reject submissions?
I address ethical dilemmas by adhering closely to the journal’s guidelines, consulting editors when needed, and prioritising fairness, transparency, and academic integrity. Rejecting submissions can be difficult, particularly when the topic is important, but it is necessary to maintain quality standards. I aim to provide constructive and respectful feedback with recommendations for improving the article.
How does editorial board membership influence an academic career?
How important is it for international recognition?
Would you recommend that colleagues aspire to this role?
I believe editorial board membership strengthens an academic career by enhancing visibility, credibility, and engagement with the field’s leading scholarship. It is valuable for international recognition, as it signals expertise and connects scholars to global academic networks. I would recommend it to colleagues, as it offers both professional development and opportunities to contribute to the advancement of our teaching and research.
What advice would you give to researchers who want to join an editorial board?
What skills or achievements are most important for this?
Where is the best place to start?
Key skills include critical evaluation, methodological rigour, and the ability to provide constructive, balanced feedback. A good starting point is reviewing regularly for journals, networking at conferences, and developing a visible research profile in a clear area of expertise.
What does being part of an editorial board mean to you personally?
For me, being part of an editorial board is both a professional responsibility and a form of service to the academic community. It also strengthens my own teaching and research by sharpening my critical perspective, contributes to shaping the direction and quality of research in higher education and keeping me closely engaged with emerging scholarship in my field.