Every researcher has a story to tell-not just through their publications, but also through their publishing journey.

Whether it's waiting months for reviewer comments, dealing with multiple rounds of revisions, struggling to find the right journal, or facing a desk rejection without detailed feedback, we've all encountered challenges that test our patience and perseverance.

At the same time, academic publishing remains the backbone of scientific progress. Peer review, editorial evaluation, and constructive feedback all play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and credibility of research. But like every system, there is always room for improvement.

If you could change just one thing about academic publishing, what would it be?

Would you...

• Speed up the peer review process?
• Make reviewer comments more constructive and transparent?
• Reduce publication costs or APCs?
• Improve support for early-career researchers?
• Rethink journal metrics and impact factors?
• Introduce AI-assisted tools to make publishing more efficient?

There are no right or wrong answers. Every researcher, regardless of discipline or career stage, has a unique perspective shaped by their own experiences.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Your ideas might inspire meaningful discussions and perhaps even influence how academic publishing continues to evolve.

So, if you could change just one thing about academic publishing, what would it be?