Getting Published in Journals: Notes #2

Yesterday I outlined the background experience of those on the panel for the ECR Network session on 'Getting Published in Journals'. Today I'll summarise the thoughts of the first of the speakers, Prof Tim Strangleman, on 'disseminating your thesis.'

Disseminating your Thesis 

Tim Strangleman 

The work done in preparing your thesis provides a good foundation for taking the first steps in academic publication. The knowledge that you have gained gives you the background for writing book or extended reviews. These provide you with practice in writing for an audience, but also in establishing your profile and expertise. You need to be cautious in what you accept, however: there is a danger of ‘diluting’ your profile.

Whilst you can build on your thesis, you should be careful to widen your expertise. This is particularly important when it comes to recruitment: if you are seen as a one trick pony, you are less likely to be taken on.

In terms of developing a book from your thesis, this is easier now than it has been in the past. Be wary about working it up into a text book, as they aren’t as highly regarded, although text books can written so as to be more substantive and research-focussed.

Finally, think about disseminating your research more widely. Consider different media, such as blogs, films, conference papers or radio, such as Thinking Allowed, which actively seeks out interesting research.

The slides from Tim's talk are available on the Grants Factory & ECR Network SharePoint site, here.

The Launch of the ECR Network

This year, as part of the Grants Factory, we are launching an ECR Network. This will give early career researchers the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that are relevant to them, as well as hearing from more senior staff about their experiences. The first two events are as follows:

4 Oct: Planning a Personal Research Strategy (Keynes Seminar Room 4, 2:30 – 4:30pm)

This event will be introduced by the VC, Prof Dame Julia Goodfellow, who will discuss what support there is and should be across the University for ECRs. This is an opportunity to talk about your experiences, and think about what would help in the development of your career.

This will be followed by an informal talk by Prof Darren Griffin (Biosciences) and Jenny Billings (Centre for Health Services Studies) about developing a personal research strategy. They will cover issues around strategically planning and developing your research, balancing idealism with realism, and how to cope with the unexpected.

  

17 Oct: Getting Published in Journals (Senate Chamber, 9:30 – 11:30am)

Organised by KLS but open to all, this event will look at how to improve the chances of getting your articles selected for publication in journals. A panel of academics with extensive publishing experience will cover issues including:

·         How articles are selected for publication

·         Choosing a journal

·         Disseminating a thesis

·         How to improve the chances of your article being read

·          How to deal with referee comments

The panel will be chaired by Prof Sally Sheldon (KLS), and consists of Prof Rosaleen Duffy (Anthropology), Prof John Mingers (KBS), Prof Tim Strangleman (SSPSSR), and Prof Jon Williamson (SECL). 

These events aimed at ECRs, including Research Associates and Assistants (RAs), but are open to all academic staff. The events are free and refreshments will be provided.  Do let me know if you intend to come along so that I can get an idea of numbers.

Work! What Is it Good for?

Thanks to all those who were able to make it to the 'Reworking Work' Lunchtime Seminar today. Tim Strangleman (SSPSSR) started by outlining the purpose of the Seminar, namely to hear about the range of research with a focus on 'work' that was already happening across the University, but also to kick start a 'work network'.

He spoke a little about his own work, which focuses on ideas of identity, representation and culture, and encompasses the sociology and historiography of work. He has recently worked on the Park Royal Brewery archive, where Guinness was brewed. It contained a rich visual record of the life of the plant, as well as its construction and destruction.

David Hornsby (SECL) spoke of his interest in how work is a factor in modulating our language: for example, we don't expect a coal miner and a banker to have the same accent, vocabulary or syntax. Patricia Lewis (KBS) talked about gender and entrepreneurship. Currently 75% of entrepreneurs are male, and a lot of the language of business reflects this, 'penetrating virgin territory' being an extreme example.

Joachim Stoeber (Psychology) outlined the relatively under-researched question of perfectionism and work. Whilst some work has been done on the negative connotations of this - such as stress - little had been done on the positive - such as efficiency. Finally Dawn Lyon (SSPSSR) finished by explaining her BA-funded project on craft, workmanship and labour, particularly in relation to the processing of fish. Her project had looked at how a trade is learnt and conveyed, tools handled and knowledge transmitted. In addition she had done research on collective identity and memory (in relation to ship building in Sheppey), and on the visual representation of work (in the refurbishment of the Medway Campus).

I know UCAS days, Union meetings and the myriad other draws on academic time might have prevented you from coming, and I'd like to invite all those with a research interest in work to get in touch to be a part of a 'work' network across the University. Such a network will act as a focus for future discussion, debate and collaboration.

In the meantime there's time to look forward to the next Lunchtime Seminar, to be held on 11 May, which will look at 'Violent and Non-violent Protest.' Do let me know if you'd like to come along.

PVC's Lunchtime Seminars: 'Reworking Work'

After the stimulating discussion at the last Lunchtime Seminar, it’s time to look forward to the next, on April 6th.

'Reworking Work'
Wednesday 6th April 2011 12.30-2pm
Keynes Seminar Room 17

This will be the launch event of the University of Kent’s research network on work. Staff from across the University will give short talks on their research followed by a discussion about developing the network in the future. We would especially like to encourage postgraduate students to attend the event.

• Dr Tim Strangleman, Reader in Sociology, SSPSSR, ‘Visualising Work Identity’
• Dr David Hornsby, Senior Lecturer English Language and Linguistics, SCEL, 'Language, work and social network'
• Dr Patricia Lewis, Senior Lecturer in Management, KBS, 'Revealing Masculinities and Femininities in Entrepreneurship'
• Dr Joachim Stoeber, Reader in Psychology, School of Psychology, ‘Personality at Work’
• Dr Dawn Lyon, Lecturer in Sociology, SSPSSR, ‘Working Bodies and Space’
  

A light lunch will be available from 12:30pm. Do let me know if you intend to come so that I can arrange the catering.