Hello and welcome.

This month we are exploring writing journal articles with impact.  We’re fortunate to have two complementary video podcasts, each one from an outstanding contributor:  Penny Jane Burke of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, and Melissa Wolfe of the School of Education at Monash University, Victoria.

Melissa Wolfe’s podcast presents an excellent tutorial for early career researchers seeking to write their first journal article(s) for publication.  In answering the question “What makes a good paper?”, Melissa draws on her own ‘experiential learning curve’ and defines and explains a set of practical tips and advice that have served her well when planning and writing articles, targeting appropriate journals and engaging in open dialogue and critique with editors and reviewers.  The video is interspersed with helpful bullet-pointed slides summarising each area of her tutorial.  Melissa suggests that for ECRs, the foundation of ‘impact’ is ‘getting your work out there’ – published and read – and not forgetting the importance of social media for dissemination and debate.

Click here to view Melissa Wolfe’s video podcast.

Penny Jane Burke’s podcast draws on her extensive experience of writing and reviewing journal articles and as editor of Teaching in Higher Education.  Penny reflects broadly on the creative nature of the writing process, encouraging writers to explore why they have chosen certain questions and issues to write about and reminding us that every writer brings their autobiography and values to the process. These personal dimensions intersect with other voices and debates in the field and, crucially, with political issues: writers should always scrutinise and uncover the power relations and ethical issues pervading their subject and their own relationship to it. Penny has submitted a companion written blog, which condenses her ideas into 10 important points of reflection for writers of journal articles.  These are an excellent prism particularly for feminist scholars when pondering the intended scope and direction of their writing.

Click here to view Penny Jane Burke’s video podcast.

We’d like to hear your views on any of the issues raised in these contributions.