Authorship and Publishing in the Humanities

The purpose of publishing in the humanities is to contribute to discourse, gain recognition, and address problems and struggles. This Element provides a comprehensive comparative study of authorship and publishing in the humanities in the UK and Germany, based on a survey and qualitative interviews.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The purpose of publishing in the humanities is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive analysis. This Element aims to shed light on this question by drawing on a unique set of quantitative and qualitative data. The study examines both basic characteristics such as publication numbers, formats, and perceptions, as well as the differences in national academic settings and the impact of the UK's Research Excellence Framework and the German Exzellenzinitiative.

To achieve this, a survey was conducted among over 1,000 humanities scholars and social scientists in the UK and Germany, providing a comprehensive comparative study. Additionally, a series of qualitative interviews were conducted to gain deeper insights into the authorship and publishing processes in the humanities.

The resulting critique offers scholars and policy makers an accessible and critical work on the particularities of authorship and publishing in the humanities. It provides an account of the challenges and struggles faced by humanities scholars in their pursuit of contributing to discourse and achieving recognition for their intellectual work.

One of the key findings of the study is that the humanities face unique challenges in the publishing landscape. Despite the importance of their research, humanities scholars often struggle to secure publication opportunities and recognition for their work. This is partly due to the perceived low value of humanities research in comparison to other fields, such as science and technology.

Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the humanities. It suggests that scholars from different disciplines can bring unique perspectives and insights to their work, leading to more innovative and impactful research. However, interdisciplinary collaboration can also be challenging, as it requires scholars to navigate complex institutional structures and cultural differences.

Another issue that the study identifies is the impact of academic institutions on authorship and publishing in the humanities. It suggests that academic institutions play a significant role in shaping the research agenda. They provide funding, resources, and support for research, but they also have policies and practices that can impact the publication process. For example, some institutions may prioritize publication in high-impact journals, which can be difficult for humanities scholars to access.

The study also examines the role of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and the German Exzellenzinitiative in shaping authorship and publishing in the humanities. While these frameworks have been designed to promote quality research and enhance the reputation of academic institutions, they have also had unintended consequences. For example, they may create pressure on scholars to publish in certain journals or to pursue certain research agendas.

Despite these challenges, the study concludes that publishing in the humanities is still a valuable and important endeavor. It highlights the importance of promoting the value of humanities research and the contributions of humanities scholars to society. It suggests that scholars and policy makers should work together to address the challenges faced by humanities scholars in their pursuit of contributing to discourse and achieving recognition for their intellectual work.

In conclusion, publishing in the humanities is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive analysis. This Element provides an answer to this question by drawing on a unique set of quantitative and qualitative data. The study examines both basic characteristics such as publication numbers, formats, and perceptions, as well as the differences in national academic settings and the impact of the UK's Research Excellence Framework and the German Exzellenzinitiative. The resulting critique offers scholars and policy makers an accessible and critical work on the particularities of authorship and publishing in the humanities. It provides an account of the challenges and struggles faced by humanities scholars in their pursuit of contributing to discourse and achieving recognition for their intellectual work. By promoting the value of humanities research and working together to address the challenges faced by humanities scholars, we can ensure that the humanities continue to thrive and contribute to the intellectual discourse of our society.

Weight: 164g
Dimension: 126 x 178 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009223096