18 Navigating Co-Authorship

One way that writing for publication often differs from the process of writing for coursework lies in the frequency with which you will submit work for that was created in collaboration with another person or other people. Tips on the process of actually writing with other people are covered elsewhere in this Toolkit [INSERT LINK TO INTERNAL DISCUSSION], but identifying who you should bring in to your process of writing and recognize as a co-author also bears discussion.

In thinking about co-authorship, consider the implicit norms and explicit guidelines related to authorship in your academic community. Different disciplines vary as to what types of activities – contributions to paper concept or study design, data collection, drafting a manuscript – constitute authorship, and you should refer to the journal you are submitting to for their guidelines on this issue.

Navigating the political elements of co-authorship – deciding who should be included on a paper, and in what order – can pose a significant challenge for graduate students in fields where publishing is most often collaborative. Different types of projects – an opinion piece versus a book chapter versus a clinical trial – come with different norms and strategic considerations that you should discuss with your supervisor or another trusted mentor. In leading your own projects, consider facilitating direct conversations around authorship early in your work and make notes in writing that you can share with all collaborators; when you are invited to participate in work led by others, ask about authorship directly, and discuss with your supervisor for their insight into how this corresponds with their understanding of what is typical for your field.

Recommended Resources:

Co – Authorship by PhD on Track, hosted by a Consortium of Norwegian Universities

Co-authorship in the Humanities and Social Sciences: A global view published by  academic publishing house, Taylor and Francis

Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors