Academic Writing for Publication

2. Identifying your own starting point in this process

'... an academic writing journey is a bit like gardening'

This image uses the analogy of creating a garden where well-tended and looked-after plants grow to maturity, producing flowers, fruit and seeds. Similarly, in academic writing an initial idea can be nurtured, growing into a more refined piece of writing.

The image captures the experiences of academic writing for publication by colleagues at different points in their career encompassing experiences from universities in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Brazil and the UK. It captures their thoughts on:

• struggles
• time
• writing
• environment
• collaboration

As you consider the image, please think about ...

• What would you like to achieve regarding your own:
• academic writing?
• publishing aspirations?
• grant capture?
• What do you struggle with?
• What do you feel confident about?