DISCUSSING THE FUTURE OF PUBLISHING AND WAYS TO SUPPORT EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS: A DECADE OF PLANEXT JOURNAL AND INSIGHTS FROM LEADING JOURNALS IN PLANNING

Organizers

Sıla Ceren Varış Husar, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
Asma Mehan, Texas Tech University and Architectural Humanities and Urbanism Lab (AHU_Lab)
Pavel Grabalov, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
Elisa Privitera, University of Toronto

Contributors

Dominic Stead, Aalto University
Loris Antonio Servillo, Politecnico di Torino 
Olivier Skyes, University of Liverpool
Katie McClymont, University of the West of England
Feras Hammami, University of Gothenburg

In an ever-evolving academic sphere, the role of journals in shaping the future of research and discourse in the planning field is more critical than ever. On the other hand, for early career scholars, academic publishing can be a difficult terrain to navigate. This roundtable will explore the broader challenges and opportunities within academic publishing in planning with a special focus on early career scholars. Topics will include the evolving dynamics of open-access publishing, the impact of digital platforms on dissemination and collaboration, and the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in responding to global challenges such as climate change, urban and regional disparities, the increasing pressure of the impact factor for early career researchers planning for a future in the academy.

This roundtable also celebrates the 10-year legacy of Planext, a journal dedicated to supporting young academics in planning and fostering inclusive, quality scholarship. Reflecting on the journal’s journey, the roundtable features a discussion on the upcoming special issue, “plaNext in Transition 2015–2025: Special Issue for the 10th Year of the Planning for the Next Generation Journal,” edited by Chandrima Mukhopadhyay, Elisa (Lizzy) Privitera, and Sıla Ceren Varış Husar, celebrating a decade of transformative contributions and envisioning the journal’s future trajectory.

Representatives from several leading journals in the planning field will join the dialogue and share their perspectives on the future of academic publishing. Together, the panelists will look into how journals can better support early-career researchers, promote equity in publishing, and adapt to changing expectations around impact, accessibility and relevance.

The panelists for this roundtable include:

• Dominic Stead: European Planning Studies, European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research, Journal of Planning Education and Research, Journal of Planning Literature, Planning Practice and Research, Urban Policy and Research
• Loris Antonio Servillo: European Journal of Spatial Development
• Olivier Skyes: Transactions of the Association of European Schools of Planning
• Katie McClymont: Planning Theory & Practice
• Feras Hammami (previous Editor-in-Chief) and current Editorial Board members: Planext - Next Generation Planning 

The panelists will be asked how early career researchers can find their place in the publishing world, how the discourse in the planning field is being shaped, and what their future insights are for the evolution of planning research and publishing.

This roundtable advances a collaborative and forward-thinking conversation, inviting the audience to contribute insights and questions. By reflecting on Planext’s decade-long commitment to young academics and engaging with diverse perspectives, the session seeks to envision a sustainable, inclusive and equal future for publishing in planning.

Key words: Academic Publishing; Inclusive Scholarship; Early Career Researchers; Interdisciplinary Approaches; Equity