Faculty, Graduate Students Benefit from Publishing Seminar

Organizers of a publishing seminar presented last week by The University of Southern Mississippi's College of Education and Psychology hope to offer the program annually for the benefit of graduate students and their faculty mentors.

“An Insider's Guide to Getting Published” drew approximately 50 students and faculty members last Thursday to the session that featured guest presenter Dr. James H. Walther, a publishing advisor for Emerald Publishing Group. A veteran educator and researcher with a wide range of experience in the public and private sector, Walther serves the international company's U.S. constituents.

“Disseminating the results of our research through publication in scholarly journals is a vital aspect of our work. We're pleased to offer this support for junior faculty and graduate students,” said Dr. Ann Blackwell, interim dean of the College of Education and Psychology.

During the three-hour session, Walther addressed a variety of key issues that students and faculty members should be familiar with regarding publishing, including how to get started; effective targeting of publication material; what editors and reviewers look for; the five key questions that “make or break” a paper; how to peer review your own work; the secrets of revision; and issues beyond publishing that include refereeing, book reviewing advisory board membership; the secrets of revision; and more.

“The feedback from the event was very positive and we had students and faculty from various disciplines in attendance,” said Dr. Thelma Roberson, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies and Research who coordinated the program.

“It was a great opportunity to explore publishing ideas with the help of an expert like Dr. Walther. We plan to build on the success of this event and offer it on an annual basis.”

For more information about future sessions of “An Insider's Guide to Getting Published,” contact Roberson at thelma.robersonFREEMississippi