To strengthen research excellence and advance scholarly communication of NFRDI personnel, a “Research Productivity Webinar Series” was conducted throughout the month of October 2025.

Led by the Library Section of the Training Division, the webinar series equipped about 45 NFRDI researchers on the essential skills, tools, and resources for crafting literature reviews, practicing proper citation, and promoting awareness of ethical publishing standards.

Among the topics discussed during the webinar series were: 1) Choosing the Right Journal for Your Research Publications (October 15), 2) Research and Publishing Ethics (October 21), and 3) Optimizing Research Productivity through ScienceDirect and Mendeley (October 29).

The first two topics were presented by Joshua Benjamin of Elsevier, a global information and analytics company that publishes scientific, technical, and medical research and provides digital tools to support researchers and institutions worldwide. Meanwhile, the last topic was discussed by Janus Grafilo of Academic Paradigm Inc., a Philippine-based company that provides access to academic resources, research tools, and publishing solutions to support higher education and research institutions.

Through this webinar series, the participants gained practical strategies for identifying credible journals, understanding ethical considerations in publishing, and maximizing the use of digital tools such as ScienceDirect and Mendeley to enhance research efficiency and collaboration. The interactive format also allowed them to engage with the resource persons, deepening their understanding of global publishing standards and research management practices.

This initiative forms part of the NFRDI Library’s continuing efforts to strengthen the capabilities of its researchers and to promote a culture of integrity, innovation, and excellence in fisheries research and development. ### (Odry Paclibar)