In a recent RSA Professional Development Webinar the eZine Regions Editor Eduardo Oliveira (Department of Geography, University of Kiel, Germany) and the out-going editor of the RSA Blog Joshua Barrett (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and University of Guelph, Canada) highlighted benefits and top tips when using non-standard academic platforms to reach wider audiences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swJQJVQrq2Y&feature=emb_title

1. A conversation about publishing a non-standard academic piece
by Eduardo Oliveira and Joshua Barrett
RSA Professional Development Webinar Series
10.02.2021

2. • Improving the clarity of your writing
• ‘Forcing’ an understanding of your own ideas on a more fundamental level, compared to
writing academic material where we assumed the audience is more knowledgeable;
• Building your overall reputation as a knowledgeable source within a specific subject
• Creating opportunities to stick out compared to similar academics in specific instances (e.g.
being remembered by a fellow researcher from a shared conference presentation);
• Expanding your network – particularly relevant if you are still preparing manuscripts;
• Writing for a popular audience makes sense as the first step towards creating a conversation
about your chosen subject
• About how you position yourself in the discussion
• Creating a following around your writing – representing your work further;
Publishing a non-standard academic piece:
Benefits & Opportunities, Tips (focused on early careers)
Benefits of writing for a general-interest or non-technical audience

3. • Depending on the feedback you will receive (from Editor; readers) – It helps you think about your work
in new ways, suggesting new areas of research, new strands of reasoning;
• It will advance your level of confidence, as a scholar and representative of your field – some call this
your intellectual “brand”/“recognition” of how you question a subject;
• It can produce valuable ideas for an academic article, a book chapter or a even a new course;
• It boost creativity and sense of critique – offers a clear dialogue platform
• You will also receive compliments from readers – a true and sincere reward.
• Depending on your subject and message, your writing may reach a special subset of educated
readers: decision- and/or policy- makers, especially in governments, NGOs etc.
Publishing a non-standard academic piece:
Benefits & Opportunities, Tips (focused on early careers)
Benefits of writing for a general-interest or non-technical audience

4. • Assume your audience will know very little about your topic. You’ll need to explain any concepts or
theories you want to include. Avoid using any jargon if possible;
• Be sure to “honor chronology” or historical events. Putting things in order this way encourages
you to create a story-like narrative, which will be more engaging and successful;
• Sentences in general interest articles are generally shorter/straightforward writing, often much
shorter, than in academic writing. Use the active tense more often;
• Questions can be used several times in a single article, but they can be over-used too. Be aware that
they are a rhetorical device with a specific purpose – of engaging the reader.
• Your subject will have a much better chance of being accepted by a blog/ezine editor if you tie it to
something that is in the news/ongoing – Timeliness is above sacredness.
• Carefully select the platform – evaluate if is right for your and your subject;
The following are ideas to help you move forward with writing for a general audience
Publishing a non-standard academic piece:
Benefits & Opportunities, Tips (focused on early careers)

5. Regions ezine

6. 8 published issues

7. Regions ezine in 2021: Regions in Transition
Issue 9 > Sustainability challenges & opportunities in cities and regions
To be published in the last week of April > Deadline is 15th of April
Issue 10 > Redefining urban-rural balance in changing times
To be published in the first week of September 6-10/09 > Deadline is the 23rd of August
Issue 11 > Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic
To be published in the first week of December 6-10/10 > Deadline is 22nd of November
Call for Contributions and
Sample Articles here
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8. Everything you need to know
Guidelines Regions ezine 2021