The Ties that Connect Us: Examining Longitudinal Academic Co-Authorship Networks

• In Event: The ACJS Doctoral Summit–A Unique Approach to Professional Development

Abstract

Engaging in professional networking is a critical component of professionalisation, but one that many graduate students report no formal training in - either they tend to integrate into the networks of their mentors or they learn as they go. However, professional networks in academia are even more important as they directly link to productivity and connections to the broader field. To examine the relationship between participating in a professional development program and co-authorships as a form of networking, this study examines eight years of GoogleScholar data to map the relationships across criminology. In total, 138 past participants from the program were used as central nodes for collection, resulting in a network of over 1,000 unique individuals. Network analyses suggest that criminology is becoming even more interconnected. Key trends in the shifting co-authorship landscape and implications for academia and policy are discussed.

Authors

• Jared Dmello, Adelaide University

• Courtney Porter, Marymount University

• Heather Pfeifer, University of Baltimore

• Monica Summers, California State University, Fresno

• Deeanna Button, Stockton University