New journal sprouts soon for postgraduate students

Nov 30, 2004

A doctoral candidate with the Faculty of Creative Arts has been appointed the foundation editor of the University of Wollongong’s proposed new fully refereed postgraduate journal, Rhizome.

The newly-appointed editor, Lycia Trouton, believes the journal’s title is a good fit with its planned cross-disciplinary outreach.

“Rhizome is a figurative term used by theorists Felix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze to describe non hierarchical networks and ‘in-between’ positions of all kinds. Yet, it also references a botanical meaning which refers to a horizontal, usually underground stem, that often sends out roots and shoots from its nodes,” Ms Trouton said.

She said the Wollongong University Postgraduate Association (WUPA) considered the term and reference appropriate for a cross-disciplinary journal, stemming from a central objective.

Rhizome is the first journal of its kind at UOW and the first edition of the bi-annual journal is expected to go on sale in the New Year.

Ms Trouton said the new journal would be a boon for postgraduates wanting to give their future careers a push along.

The journal is aiming at 10 articles and book reviews an issue and Ms Trouton is especially encouraging international researchers on campus to contribute.

“Our international community here is an asset and the journal will highlight this, as well as cross-disciplinary research – aspects that put the University of Wollongong on the map,” she said.

Academic staff will be involved in the production process of the journal and advisory and editorial committees will also be established.

Contributions are solicited bi-annually from UOW postgraduate students, including Bachelor (Hons) students.

Ms Trouton, who came to Australia from overseas herself, said she was excited to take on this new challenge and will draw on her own international background to ensure the journal has a “global feel” to it.

“I like to see things through – I’m a good implementer and intend for this journal to become a major academic forum through which postgraduates will be able to speak plainly about their various research work,” she said.

She said postgraduates are encouraged to publish their work in specialist journals but there is a clear need for fledgling researchers, especially outside of the humanities, to understand the publishing system and make the necessary steps towards building an academic career.

“Submitting to a journal outside a student’s own field may not be as daunting a task!

“My office at 115 Northfields Avenue is accessible, and Rhizome will provide a place to exchange ideas across the whole academic community, together with extra editing support,” Ms Trouton said.

She said the new journal would not only provide an opportunity for postgraduates to discuss their research but also their purpose during the period of postgraduate study. This is expected to add to student success and degree completion.

WUPA is an independent student union representing about 4,000 postgraduate students at the University of Wollongong.