BA ECRN Academic Book Publishing Conference 2025

Thinking about publishing your first book? Launching your academic career after completing a PhD? Want to connect with book publishers, but unsure where to start?

The Academic Book Publishing Conference has become a cornerstone of the Early Career Researcher Network calendar. We’re thrilled to welcome ECRs from across the country to our Third Annual Edition, in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn, question, and demystify the world of academic book publishing, providing essential support for your academic career.

Programme

9:45 – 10:15 | Arrival and Registration

Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be available upon arrival.

10:15 - 10:30 | Opening Plenary (SHAPE Room)

Speakers:

• Dr Alex Lewis, Director of Research, The British Academy
• Neil Smyth, Nottingham Trent University
• Anthony Cond, Liverpool University Press

10:30 - 11:30 | Session 1

Panel Discussion 1: Starting Your Academic Publishing Journey (Lecture Room)

Hear from Early Career Researchers (ECRs) as they share insights into their diverse publishing journeys, challenges, and experiences.

Chair: Dr. William Barylo

Panellists:

• Dr. Gary Willis, ECRN, University of Bristol
• Dr. Angus McNelly, ECRN, King's College London
• Dr. Tania Cleaves, ECRN, Edinburgh University
• Dr. Iryna Kushnir, Nottingham Trent University
• Dr. Hua Zhong, Associate Professor, London South Bank University, Honorary fellow UCL and Nottingham Trent University
• Prof. Vitaliy Shpachuk, ECRN, Newcastle University

Panel Discussion 2 - Live ECRN Podcast Recording: Publishing as Process (SHAPE Room)

Chair: Prof Simon Swain, FBA

Speakers:

• Prof. Sharon Monteith, FBA
• Michelle Houston, Manchester University Press
• Dr. Lucy Benjamin, ECRN, University of Edinburgh
• Jon Davies, Georgia University Press (via videolink)

11:30 - 11:45 | Morning Break (Wohl Room)

11:45 - 12:30 | Session 2

Q&A Session: Ask the Publishers! (SHAPE Room)

A practical session covering publisher selection, book contracts, copyright issues, timelines, and author-editor relationships. Includes an open Q&A with audience participation.

Chair: Prof. Sharon Monteith, FBA

Panellists:

• Jack McNichol, Oxford University Press, First Book Prize
• Christina Wipf Perry, Boydell & Brewer
• James Rivington, The British Academy

12:30 - 1:30 | Lunch (Wohl Gallery)

1:30 - 2:30 | Session 3

Publishers' Fair (Library and Reading Rooms)

An opportunity to meet representatives from academic publishers.

Participating publishers include:

• Manchester University Press
• Liverpool University Press
• The Trailblazers Scheme
• Oxford University Press
• First Book Prize
• UCL Press
• Boydell & Brewer
• British Academy Publishing
• Yale University Press
• Taylor & Francis

A Trailblazer workshop: understanding Open Access and the publisher proposal form (SHAPE Room)

This is a one-hour workshop brought to you by Trailblazers, and in particular Lancaster University Library and Liverpool University Press, discussing what it means to publish your work Open Access, with practical guidance and advice on completing a publisher’s proposal form.

Facilitators: Tom Morley and Alison Welsby.

2:30 - 2:45 | Afternoon Break (Wohl Gallery)

2:45 - 3:45 | Session 4

Publishers' Fair Continues (Library and Reading Rooms)

Panel Discussion: Critical Conversations in Academic Publishing – AI, Open Access, and REF (Lecture Room)

A panel discussion on key debates shaping the future of academic publishing.

Chair: Prof. Gurminder K. Bhambra, FBA

Speakers:

• Pat Gordon-Smith, UCL Press
• Maria Zygogianni, Oxford University Press
• Anthony Cond, Liverpool University Press
• Craig Fowlie, Editorial Director, Taylor & Francis

4:00 – 4:30 | ECR Zine Launch! (Lecture Room)

Join us for the launch of the very first ECR Network Zine, created in collaboration with Lu Williams of Grrrl Zine. This exciting new publication brings together the voices of 23 network members, offering fresh insights into the world of academic publishing. Three Early Career Researchers from our Publishing ThinkIn group will take you behind the scenes, sharing how they curated and shaped the zine from concept to print. All attendees will receive their own copy to take home.

Panel Members: Dr. Alice Gibson, Dr. Hui Situ, and Dr. Laura Bowie

4:30 – 5:30 | Drinks Reception

Join us for networking and informal discussions.

Access last year’s resource kit here. Please note that you’ll need to be a platform member to download the materials.

Travel and accommodation bursaries will be available for network members to attend this event. Please contact ecr_network@thebritishacademy.ac.uk for more information. Lunch, and refreshments will be provided at the event.

Please note there will be photography at the event. If you do not want to be photographed let us know as soon as possible.

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