2134/9971636.v1
Nafsika Drosou
Nafsika
Drosou
Monia Del-Pinto
Monia
Del-Pinto
Mohammed A. Al-Shuwaili
Mohammed A.
Al-Shuwaili
Susie Goodall
Susie
Goodall
Elisabeth Marlow
Elisabeth
Marlow
Overcoming fears: a pathway to publishing for early career researchers
Loughborough University
2019
Strategic, Defence & Security Studies
Journal publishing
Academic writing
Early career researchers (ECRs)
Self-efficacy
Fear
2019-10-16 10:01:01
Journal contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Overcoming_fears_a_pathway_to_publishing_for_early_career_researchers/9971636
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present reflections of five early career researchers on the
challenges of journal publishing and how to tackle them.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors attended a participatory workshop on demystifying
academic publications. Working individually and in groups the authors shared, discussed, analysed,
visualised and ranked perceived challenges and opportunities concerning academic publishing. The authors
then delved into the existing literature on the subject. Following their enhanced understanding of the area, the
authors reflected on the experience and learnings.
Findings – Personal confidence relating to the development of a scholarly identity was found to be a critical
factor in the attitude towards journal publishing. Supervisory and peer support, accessibility to journal editors,
as well as opportunities to reflect on the writing, publishing and peer review processes through participatory
workshops and writing groups, were deemed more effective than formal and conventional guidance schemes.
Research limitations/implications – This work adds to the available literature regarding the issue of
academic publishing for PhD students and early career researchers.
Originality/value – The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of issues surrounding publishing
apprehension, by laying out thoughts that are seldom expressed.