Writing and Getting Published: An Arts Perspective Dr Laura Swift The Open University

Overview of session What makes good academic writing? Writing the PhD thesis. Disseminating and publishing your research: why, when, how?

Academic writing Think of a piece of academic writing you particularly admire, or have enjoyed. What did you like about it? What made it better than other articles / books you have read?

Academic writing? What are the issues for new PhD students beginning to write as scholars?

What is a PhD?

Can you describe your ‘core idea’?

Writing your PhD

Should I be getting published? Career reasons? Feedback Working on aspect of argument to publication standard

When and where to publish? Peer-reviewed journals? Edited volumes?

A process of publication Identify idea Give a paper Redraft Send article to supervisor(s), other colleagues Redraft Identify suitable journal and send article Redraft following peer-review

Conferences/seminars Integral to process of publication Graduate or ‘work in progress’ seminars Graduate conferences Advertised conferences (call for papers) Specialist networks in your field Big discipline-wide conferences

Journals and edited volumes Pros and cons of each Tips for making the process efficient

Other ‘traditional’ routes to dissemination Book reviews Organise a conference and edit the proceedings What are your short-to-medium term aspirations for disseminating your work?

Non-traditional methods of dissemination Blogs Social media Public engagement activities

Examples of public engagement Events with local voluntary groups Cafe scientifique Work with museums, galleries, theatres Involvement in local arts or cultural festivals OU-specific resources (Platform, Sesame, departmental magazines, etc). NB importance of “impact” = availability of funding towards this kind of work