How Publishing in Scientific Reports Motivates and Inspires Me: A Personal Reflection

In this blog, I will reflect on how publishing in reputable open-access journals like Scientific Reports influences my research approach, fosters a sense of accomplishment, and encourages me to continuously strive for excellence.
Published in Chemistry and Materials
How Publishing in Scientific Reports Motivates and Inspires Me: A Personal Reflection
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Can you tell us about yourself/your research background?

I am an early career researcher in the University of Exeter (UoE), Penryn Campus, UK (Ref.: Dr Anurag Roy profile | University of Exeter). I commenced my tenure at the UoE in 2019, following the successful defence of my doctoral research at Jadavpur University, India. I am a material chemist specializing in solar energy materials. While solar energy is often associated primarily with photovoltaics (solar panels), my research extends to other critical areas such as passive cooling (e.g., smart window glazing and coatings) (Ref.: Exeter Blog Smart Nanocomposites Revolution for Energy-Savings Windows (researchandinnovation.co.uk) ; Smart windows create energy-positive buildings that improve human comfort while tackling climate change - Breakthrough (neliti.com)) and photocatalytic applications such as green hydrogen production and wastewater treatment (Ref.: RSC Advances Science Communications – Hydrogels: The Smart Solution for Energy-Efficient Windows in Sustainable Buildings – RSC Advances Blog) . My work involves designing and synthesizing materials in the lab, followed by comprehensive characterization. This process is crucial for establishing structure-property-performance relationships, ultimately targeting specific applications for these advanced materials. I am a Registered Scientist (RSci) with the UK Science Council and a member of various professional bodies, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Chemical Society, the UK Metamaterials Network, and the UK Solar Chemistry Network. I also run an NGO in India, which focuses on providing primary education to underprivileged children and combating malnutrition. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, photography, body art, quizzes and game shows, tennis, and an avid comedy show and cricket enthusiast.

What was the decision process in choosing where to publish?

The decision process for choosing where to publish primarily involves evaluating the nature of the research, its scientific outcomes, and its potential impact on society or the targeted audience. These factors, along with the integrity and relevance of the work, are carefully considered. Open access journals play an important role in this process, as they enhance visibility and increase citations, which my institution actively supports and encourages for the public benefit.

As a materials chemist, I typically aim to publish in journals related to materials science (Ref.: An optimal climate-adaptable hydrogel-filled smart window for the energy-saving built environment - Journal of Materials Chemistry C (RSC Publishing)). However, because my research also involves solar energy applications, I often target solar energy-focused journals (Ref.: Achieving high open circuit voltage for hole transport layer free ambient perovskite solar cells utilizing electric double layer effect - ScienceDirect). This approach allows me to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of my work and demonstrate its broader relevance. Sometimes, the choice of publication venue also depends on how the work fits into my larger research portfolio, balancing factors such as exposure, prestige, and creative freedom.

 

How do you think publishing in an open access journal like Scientific Reports has impacted the visibility of scientific research?

Publishing with Scientific Reports has had a significant impact on my research career. It has provided a platform for my work to reach a broad and diverse audience, enhancing the visibility of my research within the scientific community. The rigorous peer-review process has helped validate and refine my findings, adding credibility to my work. Additionally, Scientific Reports is widely recognized and respected, which has opened opportunities for collaboration with other researchers and increased the likelihood of my work being cited. Overall, publishing with the journal has contributed to my professional growth by helping to establish my reputation in the field and expanding the reach and influence of my research. Publishing with Scientific Reports is particularly important for open access because it allows your research to be freely accessible to a global audience. This open access model ensures that your work reaches not only other scientists but also industry professionals, policymakers, and the public, enhancing its impact and application across various fields.

Scientific Reports is part of the Nature Portfolio, which is widely recognized for its rigorous standards and high-quality publications. Although it is a separate journal from Nature, publishing in Scientific Reports carries the credibility and prestige associated with the Nature brand. This association helps to elevate the recognition of my work, signalling to the scientific community that your research meets high standards of quality and relevance. Consequently, this can lead to increased citations, greater visibility, and new opportunities for collaboration, further advancing me research career.

Reference:

Effectual visible light photocatalytic reduction of para-nitro phenol using reduced graphene oxide and ZnO composite | Scientific Reports (nature.com)

Role of vanadium ions substitution on spinel MnCo2O4 towards enhanced electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation | Scientific Reports (nature.com)

An enduring in vitro wound healing phase recipient by bioactive glass-graphene oxide nanocomposites | Scientific Reports (nature.com)

Cotton soot derived carbon nanoparticles for NiO supported processing temperature tuned ambient perovskite solar cells | Scientific Reports (nature.com)

Emplacement of screen-printed graphene oxide coating for building thermal comfort discernment | Scientific Reports (nature.com)

How has the reaction to your work by the public benefited you? How has publishing with Scientific Reports influenced your research career?

Oh, you know, one tiny thing researchers should always remember is how their groundbreaking work might actually benefit the rest of us, mere mortals. Sure, there are loads of ways to measure this, but apparently, one of the "most important" is making people aware that the research exists in the first place. Shocking, right? This usually involves thrilling activities like workshops, school visits, and yes, even the age-old crowd-pleasers: quizzes and icebreakers. Nothing says "scientific advancement" quite like an awkward icebreaker.

Take me, for example—I've enlightened the masses about solar energy and how materials are basically the unsung heroes connecting science and technology. You're welcome, world. These events, of course, inspire all kinds of reactions. Some folks might suddenly feel the urge to get a PhD, while others (a.k.a. businesses) might consider collaborating with me—because who wouldn’t? Even people who wouldn’t know a solar panel from a microwave can find a connection to my work. Like this one time, an artist was so moved by my research, they decided to create solar-powered art. Solar-powered art, people! Imagine that next to your regular ol' oil paintings.

Oh, and publishing in scientific journals? Game changer. My work was published in Scientific Reports, and let me tell you, that’s a big deal because it’s interdisciplinary and open access. Translation: people can read it from their couches, or while they're pretending to be productive on a plane. It's like flipping through a magazine, but with more science and fewer celebrity gossip columns. Plus, when people see my name in these journals, they're suddenly a lot more interested in chatting at conferences. Funny how that works. And to top it all off, the journal really rolls out the red carpet for us authors, offering all sorts of ways to promote our work.

What’s next for you/your research journey?

Oh, you know, just casually trying to revolutionize the solar energy world while single-handedly saving the planet—no big deal. My grand plan? Pushing the boundaries of solar energy research, obviously, and making sure that my work isn't just collecting dust in some obscure journal, but actually making a real, tangible impact. Because, shocker, that's what matters, right?

Yeah, challenges are there. Like, hello? If it were easy, someone else would’ve cracked it by now. But me? Oh, I’m the unstoppable force. I’m going to keep diving into cutting-edge research, fiddling with new materials and nanotech to supercharge solar cells. Because, clearly, someone needs to turn this "renewable energy" thing into more than a buzzword, and apparently that someone is me.

And, yeah, I'll be teaming up with experts across chemistry, physics, engineering, and—wait for it—even the arts. Because, you know, why stop at functional when you can make it pretty? Throw in some data scientists, sprinkle a bit of AI and machine learning in there—because who doesn’t love a good buzzword—and boom, we’re on the fast track to the breakthrough city.

Also, watch out for me in all the open-access journals because I’m here to reach everyone, not just the ten people who can decipher academic jargon. The goal is to spark real societal change, not just pat myself on the back with a bunch of citations. And let’s not forget the public! I’ll be organizing all the workshops, exhibitions, and solar-powered parties you can think of because of education. Yeah, it's not just for the classroom, people.

In the end, I’ll keep moving at my "slow and steady wins the race" pace. Because hey, we all know the hare never had a real plan anyway.

 

What advice do you have for other researchers on maximizing the dissemination of their work?

Publishing in open-access journals ensures that your work is freely available to everyone, not just those affiliated with institutions that subscribe to journals. This increases the visibility and accessibility of your research, particularly for individuals outside academia or in regions where access to paywalled content is limited.

  • Hands-on prototype demonstrations: Develop interactive activities that present your research in an engaging and accessible manner.
  • Social media presence: Use platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to share updates, simplify complex concepts, and engage with a broader audience. Whenever possible, include a lay summary or "plain language" version of your research in publications, press releases, or on your website. This helps non-specialists and people from other fields grasp the significance of your work.

For research that has the potential to influence policy or societal practices, consider reaching out to government agencies, think tanks, or NGOs. Translating your findings into policy briefs or recommendations can help ensure your research contributes to real-world decision-making.

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Materials for Devices
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Materials for Devices
Materials for Energy and Catalysis
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Materials for Energy and Catalysis
Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Sciences > Chemistry > Inorganic Chemistry
Solar Cells
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Materials for Devices > Photonic Devices > Solar Cells

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