Graduate Researchers in Print (GRiP)
GRiP is an innovative program for Higher Degree Research candidates to encourage and mobilise them to write and publish in their fields. Find out more about our publications arising from this program.
Listen to the recent seminar on converting a thesis into a book (08/04/2008)
The following comments were received from past participants:
- A sense of being 'supported' instead of 'pressured' to publish;
- Confidence that they knew how to get published;
- A sense of solidarity/community with other postgraduates and
- Increased awareness about what makes a good article/good writing
How GRiP Runs
The program provides peer support and consists of a number of groups made up of 6-10 people. The groups are assisted by a facilitator, Dr Ceridwen Spark, who completed her PhD at Monash in 2002 and who has continued to publish widely since then.
In initial group meetings, graduate researchers are asked to bring an abstract of an article they will write over the ensuing months and to identify 1-2 journals in which they aim to publish. This enables GRiP participants to develop a writing goal as well as giving them time to familiarise themselves with one another.
Group members then make a commitment to bring in a complete draft of an article they have prepared on the basis of their abstract. At each monthly meeting, one to two of these articles are discussed in a highly supportive group setting.
Participants have been very positive about the process of receiving feedback, saying that it was an enormously helpful and expedient way of readying drafts for publication.
Through the year sessions are run on various aspects of publishing, including: identifying appropriate journals, preparing submissions, responding to reviewers' reports, writing book proposals and writing for the non-academic media.
The outcomes
GRiP has very positive outcomes as detailed in a survey conducted at the end of 2005. For instance:
- 98% of 2005 GRiP participants drafted an article for eventual publication in a refereed journal;
- 53 % submitted an article for publication;
- 19% had journal articles accepted (be aware many journals take 12 months to respond so others were waiting on reviewers' reports);
- 19 % had started a draft of a chapter for publication in an edited book collection and
- 23 % had conference papers accepted for publication in an edited conference proceedings or collection.
See our full list of publications that have resulted.
Other Comments From GRiP Participants
- 'Getting feedback from 7-8 other people at once was great!'
- 'I have really enjoyed it and found the experience very helpful.'
- 'It was great to see what letters and reports from journal reviewers actually look like.'
What is involved?
The time commitment for GRiP participants is attendance at one two hour workshop per month and the time required to draft material and read selected drafts of other members of the group.
Contact
If you are interested in finding out more about GRiP , please email the facilitator, Dr Ceridwen Spark or telephone 990 58779.