BUPRaP Roadshow

The Baltic Research and Publications Office (BUPRaP) is a research and publications infrastructure led by the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany. It aims to support The Baltic University Programme in developing its research infrastructure and foster its capacity to publish its research in peer-reviewed journals. As part of its efforts to support colleagues at BUP participating universities in strengthening their research and publication profiles, BUPRaP offers the 'BUPRaP Roadshow', two research-focused seminars. The seminars last about 2,5 hours each and can be offered in combination, so as to maximise the time investment. The seminars are led by Professor Walter Leal, chair of the BUP Associate Secretariat in Hamburg.

In spring 2024 the BUPRaP Roadshow has been held in Latvia, Finland and Estonia.

Roadshow seminars

Seminar 'Optimising Efforts in Scientific Publishing on Sustainable Development'

This seminar explores the key elements of scientific publishing, including manuscript preparation, peer review, ethical considerations, publication metrics, and future trends. It also outlines the details of the scientific publishing process, including the types of scientific publications, the roles of authors, reviewers, and editors, and the importance of publishing for researchers. Tips and strategies for selecting the right journal to submit your research paper (journal’s scope, impact factor, audience, and editorial policies) are also provided. A questions and answers section is included, to allow researchers to present their paper ideas, and offer advice on potential journals which they may consider for publishing their work.

Seminar 'Fostering Scientific Cooperation via European and Non-European Funded Projects on Sustainable Development'

This seminar will explore the advantages of scientific cooperation on matters related to sustainable development, describe the role of major networks such as The Baltic University Programme, the European School of Sustainability Science and Research and others, as a source of information on project funding. In addition, the seminar will introduce a variety of European and non-European funding programmes, which may be accessed by members of The Baltic University Programme, as possible funding sources for their projects. A questions and answers section is included, to allow researchers to present their project ideas, and offer advice on potential funding sources.

BUPRaP Roadshow in Finland

At the event in Turku, there were, besides the seminars, also additional presentations about research/development projects with sustainability as an important focus area:

• 'Light in the Dark – Increasing resilience in rural and coastal tourism in the northern Baltic Sea Region by developing off-season experiences', Project manager James Simpson & Senior Lecturer Maria Engberg, Novia University of Applied Sciences.
  
• 'Data-Driven Sustainability Management: Innovative solutions to support the green transition in cooperation with the industry', Ass. Prof. Jerker Björkqvist, Åbo Akademi University.

Organisers voice

"As a result of the event, we are now planning to annually arrange a seminar with presentations of different ongoing projects on sustainability at BUP participating universities in Finland. The aim is to open up for collaboration and joint project proposals."

Voices of participants

Katrin Männik - Participant from Tallinn University

Before attending I thought that the topics of the seminars seemed very interesting and useful, as well as the competence and background of the lecturer. This made my expectations high and the event fulfilled them.

The best part of the event was to get relevant information and recommendations on research funding and publications from a highly qualified academic person.

I will take with me some tips for preparing for academic publications and some funding sources that I was not aware of before. The seminar increased my belief in making research fun.

Liisi Pajula - Participant from University of Tartu

My expectations before the BUPRaP Roadshow were limited as I only heard shortly about the event from Walter directly. However, as I’d previously taken part in a symposium Walter had organised, I was very enthusiastic to listen to more of what he had to say. His knowledge and expertise in the field is beyond compare.

It was very pleasant to discuss issues of funding and publishing within such a small and close-knit group with Walter’s guidance. Also listening to Walter with all of his experience in the field provided a lot of very actionable ideas for how to proceed in academia.

Walter provided a lot of practical tips for academics of all experience levels. While I shouldn’t be applying for a major European project any time soon, I saved a lot of his publishing tips.

Images from the BUPRaP Roadshow