Reflecting on publishing and research culture – with Professor Carl F. Stychin

At the University of London Press, we have been reflecting on recent conversations in the sector about research culture, what this means for the humanities, the potential benefits of open access, the role of publishing and our own role as a publisher. As we embark on International Open Access Week 2024, we are excited to launch our new blog series, ‘Reflecting on publishing and research culture’ featuring conversations with a selection of our authors.

In this new series of blog posts, recent UoL Press authors share their own publishing experiences and words of advice and support for new authors, along with their views on open access and what more publishers can do to work with the research community to help build supportive, collaborative and open research and publishing cultures. The series will also include a commentary from our Publisher, Emma Gallon, sharing our thoughts on the relationship between open access and research culture.

In our first post in the series, we talk to Professor Carl F. Stychin, editor of Law, Humanities and the COVID Crisis, and Director of and Professor of Law at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies based at the School of Advanced Study, University of London.  

1. What should people know about your book with UoL Press?

This book arose directly out of the experience of the pandemic and my desire to engage with academics to document how they were thinking about what was happening. As well, at that point, I was thinking quite a bit about law and humanities in terms of the relationship between the School of Advanced Study and IALS. Finally, it was obvious that “law” in a variety of manifestations was playing a central role in the events unfolding. I put out a call for papers and the interest was incredibly positive, leading to a monthly online seminar series. This was followed up with journal special sections as well as this book, which was the culmination of the project. I hope that it is useful in documenting a moment in time but also as showcasing some tremendous work. It was a pleasure to work with these authors.

2. What advice do you have for authors looking to publish their first book?

I think that clarity in terms of how you imagine a book is obviously of great importance and, when I think back to that stage of my career, it is something that I could have done better. But it is also important to capture the intellectual mood and times – the zeitgeist. More prosaically, you need to understand what publishers are looking for and to be able to really sell your idea through a very coherent proposal. Fundamentally, you need to really believe in your book, while being open to feedback.

3. What does a positive research and publishing culture in the humanities look like to you?

I have been extremely lucky in my career to have worked in very positive environments for publishing. I was always fortunate to obtain contracts and I had very supportive editors. I think that it comes down to ethics – how publishers treat authors; how editors treat authors; and how authors treat everyone else! A good example here is the relationships involved in an edited book. Editing a book really does require some well developed people skills and sensitivity!

Another aspect of a positive research and publishing culture is peer review, which is a real test of ethical behaviour. In my experience, it is very possible to have high academic and professional standards while also being constructive and supportive of others.

4. Do you think open access publishing is important for your field?

This is an interesting question. I hear more and more of my friends within socio-legal studies emphasising the importance of open access. I think much of this has to do with the economics and politics of publishing. However, open access now is often associated with author fees and the need for research grants to cover ‘gold open access’. Fortunately, we are seeing new agreements between publishers and universities which are alleviating some of these issues. Of course, University of London Press provides a genuinely open model which challenges that commercial paradigm!

5. What more could publishers do to support authors with the publishing process?

Mostly, I think information about what they want from authors in terms of proposals, draft chapters, etc. And make that information readily available on websites. I know that it is difficult but speedy response times would be greatly appreciated. Constructive feedback too. There is still a good deal of mystery surrounding publishing, so let’s make these processes as transparent as possible.