Writing a Strong Book Proposal (Webinar 2)
A BSA Sociology of Education Study Group PhD and ECR Webinar Series
16 October 2026 (12-1pm BST)
Online
About the Event
Join the BSA Sociology of Education Study Group for a session that will offer early career researchers’ practical guidance on book publishing, focusing on converting a doctoral thesis into a monograph. In this session we will offer some thoughts from multiple perspectives on the process.
Featured speakers:
- Dr Jess Pilgrim-Brown: Author of Living Parallel Lives: Working-Class Professional Services and Administrative Staff in UK Higher Education (forthcoming 2026). Jess will offer her insights into converting the thesis to a monograph, engaging with editors and writing the proposal.
- Éireann Attridge: PhD student in Education, University of Cambridge. Éireann will reflect on her experience contributing to the editing process and collaborating with colleagues across disciplines.
- Dr Teresa Crew, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, Bangor University and Author of The Intersections of a Working Class Academic Identity. A Class Apart. Teresa will share her thoughts on submitting a book proposal including finding the confidence to do this and the differences between writing a book as a single or joint author.
- Dr Jon Rainford – BSA Education Study Group co-convenor and Editor of Emerald Studies in the Sociology of Education book series. Jon will speak from the position of having been the series editor for Emerald Studies in the Sociology of Education book series for the past three years. He will offer his thoughts on what makes a strong proposal and the traps new authors often fall into. He will offer practicable, actionable suggestions for strengthening your proposals.
- Katy Mathers – Senior Commissioning Editor, Emerald. Emerald’s Senior Commissioning Editor will offer her perspectives on why publishing a book can increase the reach, impact, and career value of doctoral research. Outlining a step‑by‑step approach to thesis conversion, she will cover key thinking points around audience and purpose, restructuring and streamlining, and adopting a confident, engaging writing style.
Registration
The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Everyone is welcome!