The First Monograph: Faculty Reflections and Insights

This panel session brings together a diverse group of humanities and social science scholars who have recently published their first monograph to reflect on the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons learned along the way. Panelists will share candid insights, practical advice, and personal strategies that helped them navigate through the academic publishing journey. While the discussion focuses on the unique experiences of scholars in the humanities and social sciences, faculty from all disciplines interested in monograph publishing are welcome to attend and benefit from the collective wisdom shared.

Session Objectives:

Explore the challenges scholars face throughout the monograph publication process and approaches to overcoming them
Offer participants actionable insights, tips, and strategies from experienced faculty
Provide practical guidance that supports individual progress toward monograph publication
Moderator: Natalie Alvarez, Dean of The Creative School, Professor



Panelists:

Sibo Chen, Associate Professor & Associate Chair, School of Professional Communication
Tara Collins, Professor, School of Child and Youth Care
Max Ritts, Professor, Geography & Environmental Studies

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Identify common author challenges in the book publishing process
Apply strategies to mitigate obstacles during manuscript development and submission
Recognize key steps and milestones in progressing toward the publication of a scholarly monograph
Target Audience:

This session is primarily designed for early-career researchers at TMU working in the humanities and social sciences. However, researchers at all career stages and across all disciplines, including instructors and postdoctoral fellows are warmly invited to attend.

If you have any questions about this session, email Chris Kim at kim.chris@torontomu.ca, Ann Ludbrook at aludbrook@torontomu.ca, or Toby Malone at toby.malone@torontomu.ca.