Echoes of a decade in plaNext – Next Generation Planning journal and the road ahead

Abstract

This article offers a comprehensive reflection on the first decade of plaNext – Next Generation Planning as an Early Career Researcher–led journal. It presents: (i) a retrospective analysis of publishing patterns, author demographics, and thematic orientations; (ii) findings from an empirical survey capturing early career researchers’ perspectives on academic publishing challenges, journal awareness, and expectations; (iii) an editorial dialogue addressing issues such as inclusivity, academic rigour, open peer review, Scopus indexing, mentorship models, and future editorial strategies.

The study highlights plaNext’s achievements in supporting emerging scholars while also identifying areas for improvement, including editorial consistency, international outreach, mentorship structures, inclusivity, and community-building. It concludes with strategic recommendations for strengthening the journal as a supportive, equitable, and globally engaged platform for early career researchers.