EAP is developing as a diverse and exciting field which can offer practitioners new opportunities in their efforts to research and publish. At the same time, there are many threats undermining the academic status and research potential of EAP practitioners, who are often on ‘teaching only’ or ‘academic related’ contracts. This UK-based study examines these opportunities and threats for EAP practitioners to publish research from three perspectives: firstly, accounts from nine EAP practitioners of their experiences of publishing; secondly, the perceptions of thirty heads of EAP departments of the importance of publishing; thirdly, the views of seven journal editors of the challenges for EAP practitioners to publish in their journals. The research indicates that EAP practitioners tend to create their own opportunities to publish from personal motivation for career development, and their view of its value for the profession. However, threats can come from restrictions in teaching contracts and lack of support, as well as the very high standards required to pass the gatekeeper reviewers and editors. Gaining more awareness of both opportunities and threats, and heeding the advice from the practitioner and journal editor participants in this study should help EAP practitioners in their efforts to publish.
Davis, Mary
Oxford Brookes Business School
Year of publication: 2019Date of RADAR deposit: 2022-03-07