Published: 27-08-2024 11:31 | Updated: 27-08-2024 11:33

Hugo Lagercrantz and Nick Brown present at the Global Child Health and Sustainable Development Goals annual research group retreat

A group of five people sit around a wooden table in a room with a portrait on the wall. They are engaged in conversation.
Nick brown and Hugo Lagercrantz. Photo: Miriam Mosesson

At the start of the academic year, the Global Child Health and Sustainable Development Goals research group meets for an annual retreat. This year editor-in-chief for Acta Paediatrica, Professor Hugo Lagercrantz and Associate Professor Nick Brown, editor-in-chief of Archives of Disease in Childhood Contact were invited to discuss handling of manuscripts and the process of publishing academic papers.

Nick Brown next to a screen displaying a presentation. A banner beside him reads, "Global Child Health and the Sustainable Development Goals Research Group." The room includes a table with various items.
Nick Brown, Associate Professor at Uppsala University. Photo: Miriam Mosesson

Nick Brown is a paediatrician and epidemiologist with 25 years of experience in international child health. Initially trained in the UK, he has worked in Sudan, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, India, and Pakistan, focusing on epidemiology. Currently, he is based in Sweden, working clinically in Gävle and academically at Uppsala University.

In his presentation Nick discussed the importance of a clear abstract and robust methods. A poor method section with for example wrong study design or misuse of statistical tests is a dealbreaker weather to accept or reject the paper. He continued emphasizing not to underestimate a good title. A catchy title for the editor and reader is more likely lead to a press release and is easier to search for on google. Lastly, Nick said that honesty usually goes a long way. When reaching out to a journal one can inform that the manuscript has previously been rejected, explain why and what has been done to address comments and improve the paper. 

Hugo Lagercrantz next to a screen displaying a presentation. A banner beside him reads, "Global Child Health and the Sustainable Development Goals Research Group." The room includes a table with various items.
Hugo Lagercrantz, Professor at Karolinska Institutet. Photo: Miriam Mosesson

Hugo Lagercrantz was appointed professor of paediatrics at Karolinska Institutet 1989. He was director of the Neonatal Programme at the Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital until 2004. He has been president of the Swedish Paediatric Society and the European Society for Paediatric Research as well as a member of the Nobel Assembly and the Nobel Committee.

Hugo Lagercrantz’s three key points for publishing:

  1. The article should be easy to read also for a non-specialist. Avoid long sentences, minimise jargon and abbreviations.
  2. The title and the abstract should attract people’s attention.
  3. It is important to clearly state the aim of the study and take-home message.

The retreat took place August 22, at Hufvudsta Gård and online.