We are delighted to announce the next three monographs to be contracted from the Trailblazers initiative. The future publication of these books is a result of the innovative collaboration originally developed with Liverpool University Press, Lancaster University Library, the University of Salford Library and the University of Liverpool Library. Now that the University of Wolverhampton, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Reading have joined the initiative, even more ECRs will have the opportunity to join the initiative for 2025.

These monographs will be published Open Access by Liverpool University Press, maximising the opportunity for impact for Early Career Researchers. The titles are:

Teaching in online rooms: Stories from virtual communities by Kathy Chandler

IN COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER LIBRARY

This book shares learners’ and educators’ stories about their experiences of synchronous online learning and offers ideas about what educators can do to foster a culture where everyone feels welcome, knows that their contributions are valued, and feels able to reach their full potential.

Performing Power: Embodiment and Entanglement in Sony Labou Tansi’s Theatre (1969-1993) by Sky Herington

IN COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL LIBRARY

This is the first book-length study in English on the work of the Congolese poet, novelist, essayist, playwright and director, Sony Labou Tansi (1947-1995). It is also the first book-length study in any language on his theatre, which remains largely unpublished despite popular and critical acclaim during the writer’s lifetime. The book analyses Sony’s plays in text and performance, looking at productions by his own Brazzaville-based troupe and other companies, through the framework of the concepts of ’embodiment’ and ‘entanglement’, to demonstrate how his work represents, satirises, and engages in various performances of power.

Rewriting the Irish Mother Figure: Dismantling Stereotypes of Motherhood and Maternity in Contemporary Irish Literature by Katie Barnes

IN COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD LIBRARY

This book will investigate how developments in contemporary Irish feminism have coincided with and informed the depiction of ‘atypical’ mother figures in Irish literature. It will argue, using a rich theoretical field drawn from feminism and literary theory, that this writing has enabled a move away from the ‘Mother Ireland’ trope towards complex representations of fertility and maternity in literature and culture.

Martin Wolf, Head of Open Research, Sydney Jones Library reflected on the success of the scheme so far. He said: “With the second round of Trailblazers applications drawing to a close, it’s great to see more titles from the first round receive their publication announcement.”

Louise Zambianchi, Open Access Manager, and Tom Morley, Research Culture and Open Monographs Lead, at Lancaster University, shared their thoughts: “We are delighted to embark on our second year of Trailblazers after a very successful first year. We are committed to supporting our early career researchers in this innovative approach to open access publication of monographs, which also develops their skills via the publishing masterclasses.”

Alison Welsby, Editorial Director at Liverpool University Press, remarked on the initiative in its support for ECRs: “Following a proposal submission workshop in the summer, proposal development with the authors, external peer review, understanding the importance of the author response, plus Editorial Advisory Board consideration and approval, I am delighted Kathy, Sky and Katie and their exceptional work have now progressed to contract stage. Many congratulations.”

Dominic Broadhurst, Head of Content and Discovery at the University of Salford Library said: “We are really pleased to see even more books contracted as a result of our Trailblazers collaboration. This initiative is central to our work in facilitating Open Research at the University of Salford and providing publishing opportunities for our early career researchers.”

How can I find out more?

If you are an Early Career Researcher at Lancaster University, University of Liverpool, or University of Salford, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Reading or the University of Wolverhampton, you can visit the Trailblazers webpage on the LUP website.

Institutions interested in joining Trailblazers can contact Alison Welsby, Editorial Director at LUP (awelsby@liverpool.ac.uk) for more information on how to join the initiative.

Find out more information and how to apply >

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