Publishing holds increasing importance in academia, yet, navigating the process can be daunting for early career researchers. At the Political Studies Association’s (PSA) 2024 conference at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, the PSA’s Early Career Network organised a roundtable discussion with prominent figures in academic publishing. The panel included Elizabeth Evans (Editor of Politics), Justin Fisher (Editor of Political Studies Review), Nick Allen (Publications Lead for the PSA), Peter Geoghegan (Editor of Political Insight), Sarah Shair-Rosenfield (Editor of Political Studies), Sophie Donnelly (Senior Publishing Editor at Sage), and Richard Hayton (Editor of the British Journal of Politics and International Relations (BJPIR)).  This article aims to distil the key insights and advice shared by the panellists and make them accessible …

The worlds of academia and policymaking are becoming increasingly intertwined, as democratically elected political representatives seek evidence-based solutions to complex problems. The increased connection between the two worlds provides new opportunities for academics to use their research to inform both standards and outcomes across our political system. The main issue is that rarely has anyone outlined a clear and concise manual of the how-to and do’s and don’ts of engaging with legislators and their advisors, leaving academics uncertain about the process. One of our main goals as the incoming Executive Committee of the Political Studies Association’s Early Career Network was to demystify the policymaking process and provide our members with some of the tools required to influence the standards and …