Create Journal

How to Start an Academic Journal Online – Step-by-Step Guide

Creating an academic journal is an excellent way to contribute to your field, support scholarly discussions, and establish a trusted platform for publishing research. Whether you're an independent scholar, part of a research team, or looking to create a niche academic publication, having your own online journal gives you full control over how research is shared and distributed.

Traditionally, launching an academic journal required institutional backing, expensive publishing costs, and complex technical setups. But with modern digital publishing platforms like Docentra, anyone with a vision for a high-quality research journal can now launch and manage their own publication online—without any technical expertise.

Benefits of Starting an Academic Journal

If you’re wondering why you should create an academic journal, here are a few key reasons:

  • Publish Research Independently – No need to rely on third-party publishers or wait for acceptance from traditional journals.
  • Build an Academic Community – Attract scholars, researchers, and professionals who share your interest in a particular subject.
  • Increase Your Academic Reputation – Managing a journal establishes you as a thought leader and respected figure in your field.
  • Ensure Open Access to Knowledge – Traditional journals often hide research behind paywalls, but by launching your own journal, you can make knowledge freely available.
  • Retain Editorial Control – You decide what gets published, how submissions are reviewed, and what the peer-review process looks like.

Now that you understand the advantages, let’s go through the step-by-step process to create your own journal on Docentra.

Step 1: Prepare Your Journal’s Initial Content

Before launching your academic journal, you need ready-to-publish articles. There are no restrictions on the minimum or maximum number of articles—you can start with as little as one or two and expand as you receive more submissions.

Things to Consider Before Submission:

  1. What is the focus of your journal?

    • Is it a general academic journal covering multiple disciplines?
    • Or is it a specialized journal in a niche field like medicine, economics, history, technology, or social sciences?

  2. Do you have contributors?

    • If you are the sole author, that’s perfectly fine! However, if you’re accepting contributions from other researchers, consider setting up a peer-review or editorial process.

  3. Will it be peer-reviewed?

    • You can decide whether to conduct a formal peer-review process or publish articles based on an internal editorial review.

  4. Will it be open-access?

    • Most online academic journals today follow an open-access model, meaning readers can access the content for free.

Having clarity on these aspects before launching will help you structure your journal properly from the start.

Step 2: Submit Your Journal Request to Docentra

Once your journal is ready, the next step is submitting your request to Docentra. The process is simple—just send an email to [email protected] with the following details:

Required Information for Your Journal Submission:

✔ Journal Title – The official name of your academic journal.
✔ Editor’s Name – The individual responsible for managing and overseeing submissions.
✔ Journal Address (if applicable) – If your journal has an official address, include it.
✔ Publisher Name – If an organization is behind the journal, provide its name. If it’s an individual, include your full name.
✔ Editor’s Official Email Address – This will be used as the main contact point.
✔ Journal Description – A summary of your journal’s mission, scope, and academic focus.

There is no application fee, and the process is straightforward. Docentra welcomes researchers, independent scholars, and editorial teams who are serious about launching high-quality academic publications.

Step 3: Get Approved & Start Publishing

Once you submit your request, Docentra’s team will review your journal details to ensure that it meets the basic academic publishing standards.

If everything looks good, you’ll receive confirmation that your journal has been approved and is live on Docentra. From there, you can start publishing articles, inviting contributors, and growing your academic audience.

Why Publish Your Journal with Docentra?

Many researchers and scholars are now choosing to create independent academic journals instead of relying on large, commercial publishers. Traditional academic publishing often comes with challenges such as high costs, restrictive publishing agreements, and limited accessibility. Docentra provides a free, open-access alternative that allows anyone to launch and manage their own research journal without technical expertise or financial barriers.

No Cost to Start

Unlike many publishing platforms that charge setup fees, hosting costs, or require expensive journal management systems, Docentra allows you to start and run your journal completely free of charge. Many researchers and institutions struggle with high publishing fees, which can be a barrier to knowledge sharing. By choosing Docentra, you can establish your journal without financial concerns, making it accessible to independent researchers, early-career academics, and research groups who may not have institutional funding.

No Technical Expertise Required

Setting up a journal traditionally involves managing websites, handling journal indexing, and maintaining digital archives. Docentra simplifies this process by providing a ready-to-use platform where you can submit, manage, and publish academic papers without needing technical skills. There is no need to worry about coding, website maintenance, or dealing with complex submission systems. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, allowing researchers to focus on publishing high-quality content rather than dealing with administrative hurdles.

Global Reach and Visibility

One of the biggest advantages of publishing with Docentra is the ability to reach an international audience. Many academic journals remain limited in distribution due to institutional access restrictions, subscription fees, or paywalls. With Docentra, your journal is freely available to readers around the world, increasing its impact and potential citations. Researchers, students, and professionals from different countries can access and cite your work, helping to expand its influence in academic discussions and research collaborations.

100% Open Access

The open-access publishing model ensures that your journal is freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Unlike traditional publishing models that require costly subscriptions or impose paywalls, Docentra’s commitment to open-access publishing allows researchers to share their work without limitations. This approach promotes knowledge dissemination, enabling new research to be accessed and utilized by academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students without financial constraints.

Flexibility and Full Editorial Control

Many publishing platforms impose strict rules on how journals should operate, including submission guidelines, editorial workflows, and peer-review processes. With Docentra, you have full control over how your journal functions. You decide how frequently to publish, the format of articles, and whether your journal will implement peer review or an editorial selection process. This level of flexibility is crucial for researchers who want to develop a unique academic journal that aligns with their vision and scholarly objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many articles do I need to start a journal?

There is no strict minimum requirement for the number of articles needed to launch your journal. You can start with a single article or a small collection and expand as you receive more submissions. Many new academic journals begin with a founding issue that includes a few high-quality papers, setting a strong foundation for future growth. Over time, as your journal gains recognition, more researchers may contribute submissions, allowing for continuous expansion.

Does Docentra charge fees for publishing journals?

No, Docentra does not charge any fees for journal setup, hosting, or publication. Many traditional academic publishers impose costly submission fees, processing charges, or subscription-based models, making it difficult for independent researchers to share their work. Docentra eliminates these financial barriers by offering a completely free platform for launching and managing academic journals.

Can individuals start a journal, or does it have to be an institution?

Anyone can start a journal on Docentra, whether they are an independent researcher, a group of scholars, or part of an organization. Unlike many traditional publishers that require institutional affiliation, Docentra welcomes individuals and teams from all academic backgrounds. Whether you are a professor, PhD candidate, research group, or expert in a specialized field, you have the opportunity to create a journal and publish valuable research.

How do I manage peer reviews for my journal?

If you wish to implement a peer-review process, you have the flexibility to organize it independently. Some journal founders invite academic peers, specialists, or industry experts to review submitted articles before publication. Others choose to implement an editorial review model, where the journal’s editorial team assesses the quality and relevance of each submission. Docentra does not impose a fixed peer-review structure, allowing you to customize the review process according to your needs.

Do I need an ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) to start a journal?

No, an ISSN is not required to launch your journal on Docentra. However, if you wish to obtain an ISSN for your journal, you can apply for one separately. An ISSN can enhance the credibility and recognition of your journal, making it easier for libraries, academic institutions, and research databases to index and catalog your publication. Docentra does not issue ISSNs directly but allows journals to include an ISSN if they have one.

Can I publish in multiple languages?

Yes, Docentra supports multilingual publishing. If your journal aims to reach a broader international audience, you can publish articles in different languages. Some journals choose to provide translations of articles or accept submissions in multiple languages, depending on their focus and readership.

How frequently do I need to publish?

There are no fixed publication frequency requirements. Some journals publish quarterly, biannually, or annually, while others release articles on a rolling basis. As a journal owner, you can decide the best schedule based on the availability of high-quality research submissions.

Can I transition my existing journal to Docentra?

Yes, if you already run an academic journal and wish to transition it to Docentra’s platform, you can do so. The process is straightforward and involves submitting your journal’s details along with previously published articles. This option is useful for journals looking to move to a more accessible and open-access platform.

Is there a limit on how many articles I can publish?

There is no strict limit on the number of articles you can publish. Whether your journal releases a small number of curated papers or a large volume of research studies, Docentra allows you to scale your journal according to your publishing needs.

Who owns the rights to the published articles?

Authors and journal editors retain full copyright over their published work. Unlike traditional publishers that may require copyright transfers, Docentra allows journals to maintain full ownership and control over their content. Journals can choose their preferred licensing model, such as open-access Creative Commons licenses, ensuring that authors’ rights are protected.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Start Your Academic Journal Today

The ability to create and manage an academic journal has never been more accessible. Whether you are an independent researcher, a group of scholars, or an editorial team, Docentra provides a free, flexible, and user-friendly platform to launch your journal and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. By choosing Docentra, you can build a lasting academic publication that serves as a trusted source for new research, scholarly discussions, and global knowledge sharing.

To get started, send your journal request to [email protected] with your journal details. The submission process is simple, and once approved, you can begin publishing articles and establishing your journal’s presence in the academic community.