The role of publishing in academic life Michael J. Prince Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy Graduate Student Summit 17 February 2010

2 How to publish what’s in your box of data?

3 Some topics So, why publish So, why publish When to publish during your studies When to publish during your studies What to publish and where What to publish and where Trying to publish a book Trying to publish a book How to submit and to revise work How to submit and to revise work

4 So, why publish? Personal interests: Personal interests: Career ambition, salary, profile Career ambition, salary, profile Professional interests: Professional interests: Develop field, mentor students, collaborate with colleagues Develop field, mentor students, collaborate with colleagues Public interests: Public interests: Policy issues, social critique and change Policy issues, social critique and change

5 When to publish as a graduate student A course paper – on your own or with the instructor? A course paper – on your own or with the instructor? A conference paper or presentation A conference paper or presentation Beware, a PowerPoint deck is but a rough draft Beware, a PowerPoint deck is but a rough draft If you are doing a major dissertation: If you are doing a major dissertation: During the research process? During the research process? Waiting until after successful completion? Waiting until after successful completion? Or both? Or both?

6 What to publish about If not the entire paper or complete thesis, then what? If not the entire paper or complete thesis, then what? Choices of focus: Choices of focus: State of the field/literature State of the field/literature Theoretical/conceptual contribution Theoretical/conceptual contribution Substantive/empirical findings Substantive/empirical findings Methodological issues/application Methodological issues/application Policy issues and practice recommendations Policy issues and practice recommendations

7 And where might I publish? At times may be obvious, depending on: At times may be obvious, depending on: Length of paper Length of paper Methods used Methods used Discipline Discipline Theoretical perspective Theoretical perspective Readership Readership Frequency of publications Frequency of publications

8 Trying to publish a book Converting a dissertation or thesis into a publishable book manuscript Converting a dissertation or thesis into a publishable book manuscript Collating several papers into a book Collating several papers into a book Crafting a proposal for a book idea Crafting a proposal for a book idea

9 Submitting & revising work Advice from supervisor, instructor, second reader, external examiner Advice from supervisor, instructor, second reader, external examiner Scan journals and their “information for authors” Scan journals and their “information for authors” Electronic submissions Electronic submissions Widen/adapt the appeal of the paper to the journal Widen/adapt the appeal of the paper to the journal Clear vs. fuzzy feedback on revisions Clear vs. fuzzy feedback on revisions Time frames and moving on to other pastures Time frames and moving on to other pastures

10 Thank you Michael J. Prince Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy Faculty of Human and Social Development University of Victoria