The 4ᵗʰ IACP Academic Writing Workshop for Junior Urban Scholars

The 4ᵗʰ IACP Academic Writing Workshop for Junior Urban Scholars

School of Architecture, Chang’an University

July 10, 2026

Workshop Overview

The IACP Academic Writing Workshop for Junior Urban Scholars aims to support early-career researchers in developing high-quality academic publications for international journals. The workshop provides direct engagement with leading journal editors and scholars, offering guidance on manuscript development, journal selection, peer review processes, and long-term academic career strategies.

Invited Editors and Speakers

Jason Cao, Ph.D.,  University of Minnesota

  • Editor-in-Chief, Transportation Research Today
  • Associate Editor, Transport Policy
  • Associate Editor, Journal of Planning Education and Research

Dr. Xinyu (Jason) Cao is a Professor at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. His research focuses on land use–transportation interactions and planning for quality of life. He is internationally recognized for his work on residential self-selection and travel behavior, and has pioneered applications of machine learning in transportation and land use research. He is ranked among the top-cited scholars in Logistics and Transportation (Stanford-Elsevier Top 2%). He previously served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Transportation Research Part D and Chair of IACP.

Jennifer Clark, Ph.D.,  The Ohio State University

  • Editor-in-Chief, Regional Studies

Dr. Jennifer Clark is a Knowlton School Distinguished Professor and Head of the City and Regional Planning Section at The Ohio State University. Her research centers on regional economic development, innovation, and knowledge economies. Her book Uneven Innovation (Columbia University Press, 2020) received major international awards. She is a Fellow of both the American Association of Geographers and the Regional Studies Association and has advised organizations including the OECD and multiple national governments.

Reid Ewing, Ph.D., University of Utah

  • Associate Editor, Cities

Dr. Reid Ewing is a Distinguished Professor of City and Metropolitan Planning and Chair for Resilient Places at the University of Utah. His research spans land use, transportation, and urban design. He has authored 12 books and over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with more than 47,000 citations, ranking him among the most cited planning scholars in North America.

Kouros Mohammadian, Ph.D., University of Illinois Chicago

  • Editor-in-Chief, Transportation Letters

Dr. Kouros Mohammadian is a Distinguished Professor and Department Head at UIC. His research includes travel behavior modeling, activity-based analysis, agent-based simulation, and freight/logistics systems. He has supervised 27 PhD dissertations and served as Chair of the TRB Traveler Behavior Committee.

Christian (Andi) Nygaard, Ph.D.,  University of New South Wales

  • Co-Managing Editor, Housing Studies

Professor Nygaard specializes in housing economics, urban transitions, and institutional innovation. His work focuses on housing affordability, sustainability transitions, and long-term urban dynamics. He actively collaborates with governments and industry stakeholders and contributes to policy-oriented research.

Yiming Wang, Ph.D., University College London

  • Associate Editor, Annals of Regional Science

Dr. Yiming Wang is an Associate Professor at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL. His research focuses on urban economics, infrastructure finance, and land value capture. He also serves on the editorial board of Growth and Change.

Workshop Program

09:00 – 09:30 | Opening Session

  • Welcome remarks
  • Overview of workshop agenda
  • Introduction of speakers

09:30 – 10:00 | Journal Introduction

  • Overview of participating journals
  • Editorial expectations and positioning

10:00 – 11:15 | Panel Discussion I: Academic Writing Strategy

Key Topics:

  • Choosing the right journal: scope, audience, and positioning
  • Writing for international journals: perspectives for Chinese scholars
  • Characteristics of successful manuscripts and common pitfalls

Q&A Session

11:15 – 11:30 | Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:30 | Panel Discussion II: Publication Process and Review

Key Topics:

  • What happens after submission
  • Understanding editorial decisions
  • How to effectively respond to reviewer comments

Q&A Session

12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch (provided)

13:30 – 15:00 | Small Group Discussions

Participants will be divided into breakout groups based on research interests and editorial expertise.

Discussion Focus:

  • Refining research questions and framing
  • Responding to reviewer comments
  • Individual manuscript feedback

15:00 – 15:30 | Concluding Session

  • Participant reflections and takeaways
  • Final advice from editors:
    • Academic career development
    • Publication strategies and promotion pathways
  • Completion of workshop evaluation

 

Eligibility

The workshop is designed for junior scholars specializing in urban planning and governance in China. A maximum of 30 participants will be admitted.

Eligible applicants include:

  • PhD students
  • Postdoctoral researchers
  • Untenured assistant or associate professors

Applicants must be affiliated with programs in:

  • Urban planning
  • Urban geography
  • Public policy (urban focus)
  • Related disciplines

Priority Criteria

Priority will be given to applicants who:

  • Are active IACP members by May 1, 2026
  • Received their PhD within the past five years (2021–2026)
  • Are currently based in an Asian* institution

* Early-career Chinese scholars based outside Asia whose research focuses on China are also encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Submission Requirements

Please submit the following materials to
Dr. Zhixi Zhuang (zczhuang@torontomu.ca) by April 30, 2026:

  1. Letter of Intent, including:
    • Name and contact information
    • Current position and affiliation
    • Year of PhD completion
    • Research keywords (max. 5)
    • Accepted IACP conference abstract
    • Three key questions for the workshop
  2. Proof of IACP Membership (screenshot acceptable)

Selection and Registration

  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (first come, first served)
  • Acceptance notifications will be sent by May 1, 2026
  • Accepted participants must pay a US$50 registration fee by May 15, 2026, covering lunch and refreshments