In this episode we talk to Kwasu David Tembo (Lecturer, Humanities and Social Science, Ashesi University, Accra, Ghana) about his research and publications; focusing on the Exchanges article Social and Spatial Representations of the Nerd in Donnie Dark, which appeared in our most recent special issue on The Lonely Nerd special issue (Exchanges, v9.3). We discuss representation within nerd culture, take a segue into the fictional universe of Doctor Who, before examining issues of belonging, identity and community within various subcultural groups. As always, the episode also explores authorial advice for postgraduate and early career researchers in terms of publishing, and especially dealing with ‘challenging’ reviewer feedback.

In this episode we talk to Sharon Coleclough (Senior Lecturer, Culture, Heritage and Society, Staffordshire University, UK) about her research and publications; focusing on her Exchanges article So Many Ways to be an Outsider: ‘Nerdism’ and ethnicity as signifiers of otherness which appeared in our recent Lonely Nerds special issue. We talk about her research into representation, and her exciting progress into new avenues of publication and research. The episode touches on advice for postgraduate and early career researchers in terms of establishing your personal brand, researching your passions and how to accept feedback on your writing more effectively.

In this episode we talk to scholar Alena Cicholweski (Institute of English and American Studies, University of Oldenburg, Germany), about her research and publications, especially her article ‘A place where everybody is a legendary hero… and a total dork’ which appeared in our recent Lonely Nerds special issue. We move on to talk about her experiences teaching academic writing and Muslin American cultural representations in pop culture. We finish as always by offering advice to potential early career authors for publishing in future issues of Exchanges and other journals.

In this episode we talk to Russian scholar Natalia Rumak (The Institute of Asian and African Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University), about her research and publications, especially her article Sherlock and Shārokku: ‘Nerdy’ detectives in the West and in the East which appeared in our recent Lonely Nerds special issue. We move on to talk about the highs and lows of being a publishing academic, focusing in on issues of native and non-native speakers writing in different languages. We finish as always by offering advice to potential early career authors for publishing in future issues of Exchanges and other journals

This episode we talk to scholar, artist and past-Exchanges author, Francesca Brunetti (ISI Florence, Italy), about her paper Delicious Bodies, Beautiful Food, Powerful Pleasure, which appeared in the most recent issue of the Exchangesjournal (V9.2). Along the way we touch on desire and pleasure, food and sex, and cultural perceptions of the southern Italian women. We also talk about some of Francesca’s work in progress, alongside her advice for new authors too.

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If you’d like to be featured in a future episode, then find out here how to submit your paper to Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal.

We talk with Jon Braddy, Florida Gulf Coast University, about his paper Utilizing the Octothorpe (#): Schizoanalytic cartographies recognized in War Games, which appeared in the most recent issue of the Exchanges journal (V9.2). Along the way, aside from contrasting the trans-Atlantic weather differences, we look at passion how it can serve to evolve your own academic voice within your writing. We also discuss some areas of mutual challenges for authors and editors of scholarly journals, and reflect on the value and process of peer-review.

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If you’d like to be featured in a future episode, then find out here how to submit your paper to Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal.

A question that any journal editor is asked periodically, every pun intended, is what authors get out of publishing with their title? Given there are so many different journals out there they could consider, what makes ours special? So, in this episode our Editor-in-Chief reflects back on some of his favourite aspects of the the journal: from our diamond open-access stance, to our early career focus and not to mention the personal care and attention we try to deploy. Find out what are some of our favourite aspects of the title, and what you the author might get out of publishing with us.

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If you’d like to be featured as a guest in a future episode, then find out here how to submit your paper to Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal.

In this episode I chat with visiting professor in English and Related Literature at the University of York, Monica Mastrantonio. Our initial conversation concerns her recent article in Exchanges, The Question of Time for Norbert Elias: Challenges of an interdisciplinary concept and approach towards time. As a result we discuss topics including the meaning of ‘figurational sociology’, the work of Norbert Elias and in particular how this allows us to better understand our own relationships with time. Contrasting the medieval experience with the present, Monica discusses how humanity increasingly utilises time as a framework for organising everything including the forging of interpersonal connections. We touch too on the concepts of ‘meaningful time’ and the value of diverse relationships. Moving on, our discussions move to explore Monica’s research and current publication plans, before we shift to examining some of her broader experiences in publishing. In particular, Monica shares her thoughts and advice for first time and early career authors.

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If you’d like to be featured in a future episode, then find out here how to submit your paper to Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal.

In this extended episode, we talk with researcher Huayi Huang of the University of Edinburgh about their research and publications. At the heart of our early discussions is Huayi’s excellent paper published in Exchanges volume 9 issue 1 - A Tasty Encounter with Routine Dynamics Ideas. Huayi goes on to clarify the relevance of routine dynamics thinking both in research and everyday contexts. Then the conversation progresses to encompass wider-ideas around the concepts of stability and change alongside considering the positive contributions early career researchers can make within public society. Naturally, as always, we also chat about our author’s current and future publication plans, before finishing with examining some thoughts on how to support early career researchers in their publication activities.

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If you’d like to be featured in a future episode, then find out here how to submit your paper to Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal.

In this episode Elloit Cardozo talks about his research activities, especially as they relating to his recent paper ‘The Sagacity of Words’: Gandhi and 21st Century Hip Hop. Elloit discusses how the paper was partly inspired from desires to provide an easier route for younger school and university students to gain a greater understanding of the life and times of Gandhi. While deploying an analytical lens empowered through Hip-Hop music might seem an unusual approach to some readers, Elloit explores how it offered him a fresh and exciting way to explore the topic. Elloit also takes us into his current publishing plans, and how The Big Lebowski factors into them, before finishing by offering advice to other early career researchers looking towards publishing their first paper.

Find out how to submit your paper to Exchanges: The Interdisciplinary Research Journal here.