PSA-ECN Event Proposal
Submitted by Dr Yu Tao (membership number: 8083psa11)
ytao2@uclan.ac.uk
Publishing in Multiple Languages: Knowledge Exchanges, Experience Sharing and
Academic Networking
Executive Summary
I propose that the PSA Early Career Network hosts a one-day workshop on the implications that
publishing (or not publishing) in non-English languages may have on the career development of its
members. This workshop, to be hosted by the School of Language and Global Studies at the University
of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston, will allow members of the Network to receive advices from
senior academics in the field, to share insightful thoughts and good practices among themselves, and
to develop possibilities of scholarly collaborations.
Rationales and Objectives
Languages are self-defending boundaries between different realms in academia, despite the
continuing trends of globalisation and the increasing intercultural communication across the
community of political scholars.
Given that English is the most commonly-used language for international academic communications
and publications, and that the UK houses some of the world’s best institutes in political studies, many
early-career scholars (myself included) have come to Britain to study politics. Bringing with these
early-career scholars are their native languages, which allow them the choice of publishing in multiple
languages. And many early-career scholars have taken this choice.
On the other hand, thanks to the internationalisation in British universities and research institutes, an
undeniable number of early-career scholars (especially those who study politics and international
relations of non-English speaking countries) have developed a capacity of publishing in non-English
languages, either solely or through collaboration with their research partners.
Yet, drawing upon my own observations as well as those from friends and colleagues, it is perhaps fair
to say that very few early-career political scholars actually fully understand the implication of
publishing their academic works in languages other than English, especially when they plan to
continue their study and research in the UK in the feasible future. Questions that often emerge from
the discussions among early-career political scholars regarding this issue include, but not limited to,
the following:
a. Are academic publications in non-English languages ‘counted’ in British academia? In
particular, how these publications were evaluated, if eligible at all, in REF2014? What are likely
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to be the practice in REF2021? How are these publications valued in the British research and
higher education institutes?
b. What are the helpful strategies when it comes to the planning of academic publishing in
multiple languages? More specifically, for early-career researchers who are capable to publish
in multiple languages, how should they make a wise decision regarding where to publish their
works, so that their research outputs can effectively support their career progression?
c. What experiences that members of the early-career network have developed and/or
accumulated during their own academic practices regarding publishing (or not publishing) in
multiple languages? What do they want to tell their peer to do or to avoid?
This workshop will tackle the aforementioned issues collectively and pragmatically, though the inputs
of guest speakers and participants. It will also create networking opportunities for early-career
political scholars who involve in non-English academic publications, with the hope to forester future
collaboration.
Indicative Format
10:30-10:15 Tea, coffee, and refreshments
10:15-11:00 Welcoming address and housekeeping notice
11:00-12:30 Guest speech (from a senior academic – or, preferably, a panel of senior academics –
who were involved in REF2014 and who would like to share the practical insights of the sector),
including a Q&A session for at least 30 minutes
12:30-13:30 Lunch and networking
13:30-15:00 Panel discussion on the experience of academic publishing in multiple languages among
early-career and established political scholars, including a Q&A session for at least 30 minutes
15:00-15:15 Concluding remarks
15:15-16:00 Networking and farewell (with tea, coffee, and refreshments)
Indicative Costing
Funding from the PSA ECN: £600.
The University of Central Lancashire may be able to top up a certain amount of costs, but this needs to
be further discussed with the Dean of School and/or the Research Subject Lead.
Costing items:
o Cost of travelling (and accommodation if required) of the guest speaker(s)
 One night’s stay (with breakfast) in Preston normally costs £60-£80, depending on the
actual timing of the event.
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
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o
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Invitation will first be sent to academics in the Northwest, primarily those based at
the Universities in Lancaster, Manchester, and Liverpool. Scholars in these institutes
can normally reach Preston within one hour via train journeys.
 Professor Hazel Smith, professor in international politics and director of International
Institute for Korean Studies (IKSU) here at the UCLan, can also contribute to panel of
senior academics in the morning. No travelling or accommodation cost will be
required for Professor Smith.
Cost of travelling (and accommodation if required) of the members of the afternoon
discussion panel
 Along with myself, Dr Niki Alsford -- another UCLan lecturer who has published in
multiple languages – can also contribute to the panel
Catering (for lunch and two tea breaks)
Travel subsidise to ECN members (depends on the actual cost for guest speakers and members
of afternoon discussion panel
Free for the event:
o Venue hiring
o The time of the organiser
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