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Upcoming event

The ECR Journey: Beyond Publish or Perish: Cultivating Excellence in Scholarly Publishing

This vibrant forum will provide doctoral students and early career researchers with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the intricate world of scholarly communication.

The 2025 BERA ECR Conference will offer a comprehensive exploration of scholarly publications and academic writing. Rather than viewing academic publishing as a mere end product, the conference will emphasise it as an evolving process. This dynamic forum is designed to equip doctoral students and early career researchers with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to navigate the complexities of scholarly communication. Presenters will guide participants through every stage of the publishing journey—covering topics such as selecting suitable academic outlets, navigating the peer review process, and determining the next steps post-publication.

We are excited to highlight 2 keynote speakers:

  • Professor Sin-Wang Chong, University of St Andrews, presenting Mindset Power-Up to Supercharge Your Publication Journey
  • Dr Sheine Peart, Bishop Grosseteste University, presenting Publish, Progress and Profit

And 2 practical workshops:

  • Dr Sarah Hopkyns, University of St Andrews, presenting Exploring Alternative Pathways: Navigating Non-Traditional Routes to Publish Academic Work;
  • Dr Kathryn Spicksley, University of Birmingham, presenting Ink to internet: disseminating findings via the BERA blog

Additionally, presenters will tackle broader, fundamental issues in academic publishing, including redefining the concept of “impact” in research and examining how positionality plays a critical role in academic writing and publication. Recognising the challenges faced by doctoral students and early career researchers, the conference will also address the personal and relational aspects of publishing. Topics will include mental health, well-being, researcher identity, and the dynamics of collaborative relationships.

This conference offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow Early Career Researchers and take meaningful steps in your publication journey. Whether you’re seeking practical advice on sharing your research more widely or looking to refine your understanding of what publication means to you, this event will help you shape a strategy that aligns with your values. You’ll explore new and traditional outlets, while placing criticality, community, and creativity at the core of your academic publishing exploration.

09:30am             Registration, tea and coffee

10:00am             Welcome and introduction

10:05am             Keynote lecture: Mindset Power-Up to Supercharge Your Publication Journey
Professor Sin-Wang Chong, University of St Andrews

10:45am             Parallel sessions

Is the pen mightier than the pint?
Steve Hoey, University of Hull

 A Reflexive Journey from Master’s to Doctoral Research in Scholarly Publishing
Muhammad Zulfadhli Kamarudin, University of Leeds

Choosing Open Access for Books: A Precarious Author’s Perspective
Judith Fathallh, Lancaster University and Coventry University

Home Education: Does it really matter where we learn?
Chelle Oldham, Open University and Glasgow University

Exploring the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Being an Early Career Researcher: An Invitation and Reflection
Charlotte Marshall, Nottingham Trent University

The Presence of the Researcher in the Research Paper
Charlotte Wright, Leeds Trinity University

11:15am             Tea and coffee break
11:35am             Parallel sessions

The Pleasures, Pressures and Responsibilities: Strategies for Identifying Unique Research Contributions
Jessica Breese, University of Sheffield

Neoliberalism and Internationalisation in Malaysian Higher Education: Academics’ Challenges in Public Universities
Nur Izham, University of Glasgow

Pedagogical possibilities posed by alternative academic publications: An ethnographic account of how developing video-based content can enhance a distanced learning course
Ruth Graham, The University of Nottingham

Marvellous Medicine for Methodological Muddles
Tracy Edwards, Leeds Beckett University

Supporting Student Teachers’ Evolving Relationship with Published Research
Salik Miah, Leeds Trinity University

Navigating the Labyrinth: Autodidacticism, Neurodivergence, and the ECR Experience in Academic Publishing
Tola Awe, Ravenbourne University and University of Greenwich

12:05pm             Workshop: Exploring Alternative Pathways: Navigating Non-Traditional Routes to Publish Academic Work; 
Dr Sarah Hopkyns, University of St. Andrews

12:50pm             Lunch and networking

13:35pm             Parallel sessions

Beyond ‘Publish or Perish’: Rethinking Success, Well-Being, and Inclusion for Early Career Researchers
Diana Abdullah and Farah Shahrin, Nottingham Trent University

The Fragile Peer Relationship: A Multi-Case Study of Chinese Sociological PhD Students’ Experience Under Publication Productivism
Anding Shi, University of Oxford

Vygotsky, Philosophy and Publishing Culture: From interdisciplinary tensions towards epistemic equity
Shone Surendran, UCL Institute of Education

High Risk-Low Return. The Economics of Academic publishing
Duaa Karim, University of Cambridge

Hesitancy in scholarly publishing: Reflections on being a non-autistic early-career autism researcher
Jenny Sanders, Nottingham Trent University

Face the Fear: An exploration of the relationship that teacher educators have with the world of academic publishing.
Megan Stephenson, Leeds Trinity University

Disseminating research on Teacher Resilience
Julie Ann Fleming, DCU, Ireland

Enhancing Technology Education for Students with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Maria McCarthy, University of Limerick

 

14:35pm             Workshop: Ink to internet: disseminating findings via the BERA blog
Dr Kathryn Spicksley, University of Birmingham

15:10pm             Tea and coffee break

15:30pm             Parallel sessions

Challenges And Achievements Of EFL Teachers In Uzbekistan: Writing for High-Quality Articles for Peer-Reviewed Journal
Durdona Karimova, University of Leeds

Surviving double jeopardy inside a publish or perish culture: Unleashing ‘the 3C’s’!
Laura Sheerman, University of the West of England

Since BERA 2024: The impact of the 2024 ECR Annual Conference on the publication our research into Hillary Place Papers, the community academic journal of the University of Leeds’s School of Education.
Marianne Talbot, Hannah Wainwright and Durdona Karimova, University of Leeds

Ethical Dilemmas and AI Technological Adaptation in Focus Groups: Cross-Cultural Reflections in Educational Policy Research
He Jiang, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Aspiring Academics: promoting support for PhD students’ professional development through student-led workshops
Sasha McKoy and Devina Paramdeo, Goldsmiths University of London

The experience of belonging to a female-led Critical Realist writing group for women, to encourage publication of their Critical Realist informed work.
Caroline Hallowes, University of Huddersfield

Using Duoethnography to Explore Pathfinding as ECRs in Education.
Sam Holdstock, Canterbury Christ Church University

Go together: navigating academic publication through collaborative endeavours
Jemima Davey, St Mary’s University

From Renaissance to Resilience: A Journey Through Academic Growth and Self-Discovery
Nysha Chantel Givans, University of Wolverhampton

Relationships and Sex Education, STIs and LGBTQ+ Identities: Navigating the Publication Process as an Interdisciplinary Scholar
Sophie Atherton, Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh

Collaborative Teaching and the Science Teacher´s Identity for a Critical Science Education
Lorena Rojas-Avilez, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

16:30pm             Keynote lecture: Publish, Progress and Profit; 
Dr Sheine Peart, Bishop Grosseteste University

17:00pm             Conclusion and thanks

17:15pm             Close of event

Keynote Speakers and Workshop Leads

Profile picture of Sin-Wang Chong
Sin-Wang Chong, Professor

Director of Research & Director of Impact and Innovation at University of St Andrews

Sin-Wang (Ph.D., SFHEA, FRSA) is Director of Research and Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute, University of St Andrews. Concurrently, he is Visiting Professor at King's College London...

Profile picture of Sarah Hopkyns
Sarah Hopkyns, Dr

Lecturer at University of St. Andrews

Sarah Hopkyns is a Lecturer / Assistant Professor at the University of St Andrews and UCL, UK. Sarah is also a Visiting Research Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Sarah has previously worked in the UAE, Canada, and Japan. Her...

Profile picture of Sheine Peart
Sheine Peart, Dr

Associate Professor in Access, Equality and Inclusion at Bishop Grosseteste University

Sheine Peart is an Associate Professor in Access, Equality and Inclusion and is programme leader for the doctor of education. Her research interests include social justice and inclusion; and developing educators and trainees to work with diverse...

Profile picture of Kathryn Spicksley
Kathryn Spicksley, Dr

Research Fellow at University of Birmingham

Dr Kathryn Spicksley is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on teacher professional identity, with a specific interest in its relationship to teacher recruitment and retention. Prior to...

Chairs

Profile picture of Brittany Wright
Brittany Wright, Mrs

ESRC-funded doctoral student at University of Nottingham

Brittany Wright is the Early Career Researcher Network Regional Rep for the Midlands. Brittany Wright is an ESRC-funded doctoral student in the School of Education at the University of Nottingham. Her research explores women’s experiences of...

Profile picture of Nicola Marlow
Nicola Marlow, Dr

Lecturer in Education at Ulster University

Nicola is the regional rep for Northern Ireland. Nicola is a lecturer in Education and course director of the PGCE English with Drama and Media Studies programme at Ulster University. Her research interests include writing pedagogy and how...

Profile picture of Sin-Wang Chong
Sin-Wang Chong, Professor

Director of Research & Director of Impact and Innovation at University of St Andrews

Sin-Wang (Ph.D., SFHEA, FRSA) is Director of Research and Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute, University of St Andrews. Concurrently, he is Visiting Professor at King's College London...

Presenters

Profile picture of Anding Shi
Anding Shi, Miss

PhD student at University of Oxford

Anding Shi is a DPhil student at the Department of Education at the University of Oxford. Her doctoral thesis focuses on the impact of publication evaluation and publication culture on China’s doctoral education and social science research. The...

Profile picture of Caroline Hallowes
Caroline Hallowes, Miss

PGR at University of Huddersfield

Caroline Hallowes has a special interest in Critical Realism and its use in reintroducing whole-person thinking within education. Her research focuses on absences within physiotherapy curricula, and the implication of considering the unconscious...

Profile picture of Charlotte Marshall
Charlotte Marshall, Mrs

Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University

Charlotte Marshall is a lecturer at Nottingham Trent University where she has recently achieved senior fellow of the Higher Education Authority. Charlotte is a postgraduate of the University of Northampton where her research focuses on level 8...

Profile picture of Charlotte Wright
Charlotte Wright, Mrs

Senior Lecturer in Education at Leeds Trinity University

Dr Charlotte Wright has taught English in 5 Secondary schools over nearly 3 decades, and is currently Senior Lecturer in Education at Leeds Trinity University. She is Subject Tutor for the Secondary English PGCE, and Programme Lead for the MA...

Profile picture of Chelle Oldham
Chelle Oldham, Dr

Lecturer at The Open University

Educator in schools, colleges and universities since 2005 with expertise and published work across Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary, FE and HE. Chelle started her career with the goal to gain experience and certification of all educational...

Profile picture of Duaa Karim
Duaa Karim, Ms

Student at University of Cambridge

Duaa Jamal Karim is a PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge, specialising in education policy, legal linguistics and governance, working interdisciplinary at the borders of Sociology, Philosophy and Educational theory. Her research...

Profile picture of Siti Intan Nurdiana Wong Abdullah
Siti Intan Nurdiana Wong Abdullah, Dr

Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University

I am currently a senior lecturer in Marketing, Nottingham Business School at Nottingham Trent University. My previous roles include teaching in public and private institutions in Malaysia for the past 15 years. Prior to that, I was managing...

Profile picture of Durdona Karimova
Durdona Karimova, Mrs

Postgraduate Researcher at University of Leeds

Durdona Karimova Farkhodovna is an accomplished educator with a rich and diverse background in language teaching, teacher training, and academic leadership. She holds a Master of Arts in English Linguistics from The Uzbek State World Languages...

Profile picture of Farah Shahrin
Farah Shahrin, Dr

Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University

Dr. Farah Shahrin (she/her) is a construction professional and sustainability researcher with a focus on achieving an equitable Net Zero transition. Her work examines the intersection of energy inequality, gender disparities in construction, and...

Profile picture of Hannah Wainwright
Hannah Wainwright, Mrs

PhD Student at University of Leeds

Hannah Wainwright is a PGR in the School of Education at the University of Leeds. Following a decade-long career as a primary school teacher, Hannah’s PhD research looks at the ways in which participatory drama is being used to support...

Profile picture of He Jiang
He Jiang, Miss

EdD doctoral candidate at University of Wales Trinity Saint David

He (Luna) Jiang is a third-year EdD doctoral candidate at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, specialising in education policy and the application of artificial intelligence in the field of education. She is also a core member of the...

Profile picture of Jemima Davey
Jemima Davey, Ms

Subject Lead and Senior Lecturer in Education at St Mary's University

Jemima Davey is Subject Lead for Education Partnerships and a Senior Lecturer in Education at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, teaching across both undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher education routes. Her role involves leading on...

Profile picture of Jenny Sanders
Jenny Sanders, Miss

Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University

Jenny Sanders is a Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, teaching on undergraduate degrees and coordinating student experience initiatives in the School of Social Sciences. She is also completing a PhD part-time in the Department of...

Profile picture of Jessica Breese
Jessica Breese, Miss

Student at University of Sheffield

Jess is a final year, part-time PhD researcher at the School of Education, University of Sheffield. Her research project, which is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), aims to critically explore different concepts around...

Profile picture of Judith Fathallah
Judith Fathallah, Dr

Senior Research Associate/Research Fellow at Lancaster University

Dr. Judith Fathallah is a Senior Research Associate at Lancaster University and a Research Fellow at Coventry. She is the Research Lead for the Open Book Collective (OBC), a UK-registered charity that aims to foster a more equitable and...

Profile picture of Julie Ann Fleming
Julie Ann Fleming, Dr

Primary School Teacher at Dublin City University

Julie Ann Fleming is a primary school teacher from Dublin, Ireland. She is currently SEN coordinator in her school. She completed her Masters in Education (Dyslexia) in 2017 and has lectured and provided teacher professional learning in this...

Profile picture of Laura Sheerman
Laura Sheerman, Dr

PhD student at University of the West of England

I am an ECR Associate and Digital Learning Designer at the University of the West of England (UWEBristol). My research explores digital innovation in education, particularly pedagogy, digital literacy, and the digital divide, through social...

Profile picture of Lorena Rojas Avilez
Lorena Rojas Avilez, Miss

Chemistry teacher at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

I am a PhD candidate in Education at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and a Teaching associate at the same institution. I have participated in various research projects in ​​initial and continuing teacher training. My interests...

Profile picture of Maria McCarthy
Maria McCarthy, Ms

University Teacher at University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

Maria is a graduate of the Bachelor of Technology (Education) in Materials and Architectural Technology programme from the University of Limerick. She is a qualified post primary teacher of Wood Technology, Construction Studies, Technology and...

Profile picture of Marianne Talbot
Marianne Talbot, Mrs

PhD researcher at University of Leeds

Marianne Talbot is a post-transfer PhD researcher at the University of Leeds School of Education. Her area of interest is the impact of professional development in educational assessment on assessors, including qualified teachers, university...

Profile picture of Megan Stephenson
Megan Stephenson, Mrs

Associate Professor in Professional Practice at Leeds Trinity University

Megan Stephenson is an associate professor in Professional Practice at Leeds Trinity University (LTU) and has recently led the ITT Reaccreditation. Her roles at LTU have included Primary PGCE programme lead, Early Reading and Phonics Curriculum...

Muhammad Zulfadhli Kamarudin, Mr

Postgraduate Researcher at University of Leeds

Zulfadhli is a PhD student at the University of Leeds, specialising in climate change education. His research explores the use of spatial computing and participatory action research to co-develop a culturally responsive climate change play...

Profile picture of Nur Izham
Nur Izham, Miss

Student at University of Glasgow

Nur is a PhD researcher at the School of Education, University of Glasgow. She is interested in internationalisation of higher education focusing on identity and professional development. Her PhD research is on Internationalisation of Higher...

Profile picture of Nysha Chantel Givans
Nysha Chantel Givans, Ms

Doctoral Student at University of Wolverhampton

Nysha Chantel Givans is a PhD researcher at the University of Wolverhampton, focusing on the empowerment of marginalised communities through traditional storytelling. Her work examines how storytelling fosters identity, strengthens community...

Profile picture of Ruth Graham
Ruth Graham, Mrs

Assistant Professor at University of Nottingham

Ruth Graham is an assistant professor on the teaching and curriculum pathway at the University of Nottingham, UK. She works with international educators on the PGCE International. Previously, she taught in Salford, Frankfurt and Nottingham in...

Profile picture of Sam Holdstock
Sam Holdstock, Mr

Senior Lecturer in Secondary ITE at Canterbury Christ Church University

After his undergraduate degree, Sam taught English at a university in France for one year, before qualifying as a teacher of English and working at an inner-city secondary school in England for 8 years. In this time, he completed an MA in...

Sasha McKoy, Miss

PhD Candidate at Goldsmiths, University of London

Sasha McKoy is a PhD Candidate in Educational Studies at Goldsmiths University. She holds a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Education at University College of London's (UCL) Institute of Education (IOE). She has made valuable contributions...

Profile picture of Shone Surendran
Shone Surendran, Dr

Evidence Synthesis (mixed methods) Researcher at King's College London

Dr Shone Surendran is an Evidence Synthesis Researcher and Health Equity Fellow at King’s College London. His work explores health, education, and social equity across research and practice. He is also an AI Equity Fellow at Guy’s and St...

Profile picture of Sophie Atherton
Sophie Atherton, Dr

Research Fellow at University of Edinburgh

Sophie Atherton is a research fellow in the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society in the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh. She is currently working on an ESRC-funded project entitled ‘Viral Memories: From HIV to Covid-19 and...

Profile picture of Steve Hoey
Steve Hoey, Mr

PhD researcher at University of Hull

Firstly, I am the father of four, fabulous daughters and then in no particular order I am a school leader, social entrepreneur, coach, facilitator, wellbeing advocate and just bloody curious. After leaving school leadership in 2014, I have been a...

Profile picture of Tola Awe
Tola Awe, Mrs

Ravensbourne University

Tola Awe is a doctoral student in Education researching autidacticism in adults. She is passionate about seeing changes in teaching and learning in higher education.

Profile picture of Tracy Edwards
Tracy Edwards, Dr

Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University

Tracy is a Lecturer in Special Educational Needs, Inclusive Pedagogies and Digital Pedagogies at Leeds Beckett University. After initially training as a History Teacher, she spent twenty years working in two highly successful Inner London...