Visibility in Philosophy

1. Visibility in Philosophy Vincent F. Hendricks Department of Philosophy and Science Studies Roskilde University

2. Never say no! • How do I make my stuff known to the philosophical community? The general answer to this question is: Never say no! ... and once you’ve said ”yes” – act fast! • Submit papers to journals, conferences, workshops ... (X) • Review papers for journals or conference proceedings if asked • Approach journals with proposals for special issues • Accept invitations to serve on editorial and conference committees • Accept invitations to do the ”grunt”-work at conferences, etc ... Including taking out the garbage • ”Mapping the landscape”, ”working the ropes”, ”getting wired in” • Write the king-pins if you have a question or want to cooperate • Blogging, the gossip column and the National Inquirer, discussion groups, etc. • Be opportunistic – always ask yourself whether there may be a publication in it • We’re selling products here – knowledge products

3. Issues and Invitations • If you have a good and ariginal idea for a special issue (often based on your PhD-dissertation) approach a journal for a special issue: • Write a special issue abstract (1/2 – 1 page) – ”Mapping the landscape” • Contact potential contributors (a mixture of king-pins and upcoming scholars is recommended – then you get wire with the old as well as the new) • Contact the journal (usually the Editor-in-Chief) or the publisher’s acquisition editor • ”Getting wired in”: • Accept invitations to review for journals – and write good, non-insulting, balanced reviews ... and do it fast explaining the editor how much you enjoyed doing and if they ever need your services again you will be more than happy to assist • Apply for conference funding. One good conference will put you on the map • Accept invitations to serve on editorial and conference committees • Accept invitations to do the ”grunt”-work at conferences, etc ... Including taking out the garbage and driving participants to the airport • ”Work the ropes” at conferences, participate in academic as well as social events, networking as this can of worms only opens from the inside • Remember that being new in the field, people don’t know what they are getting from you, so if you say no to an invitation now, chances are they will never try again

4. Everybody’s interested in a good idea • Even if you have the original idea, the final solution to the ontological problem, say, you just can’t launch immediately and without preparation – remember Kuhn • Launch your ideas piecemeal and ”within the paradigm” at first • Even the king-pins will be interested and you can write them if you have a question or want to cooperate but be properly prepared in advance • Blogging, discussion groups etc. may be useful – but be careful, philosophy is not Vogue Magazine or the National Inquirer – stick to the topic only and drop the soap opera – be ccc • Be opportunistic – always ask yourself whether there may be a publication in it, because • We’re selling products here – good knowledge products as any real science

5. Always be nice … • Always be polite in your correspondences even if you receive a nasty one – emails and letters are sometimes saved • Academic arrogance is the worst kind of arrogance, even if you are famous, so set a good example even in the face of stupidity • Pay attention to detail – don’t write sloppy responses, but CCC-ones: Clear, crisp, correct • Be open, not closed – be impatient but not obnoxious • Answer inquiries immediately • Academia in general, and philosophy in particular, is a slow moving organism, so if you move just a bit faster than the average pace, it looks like you’re moving really fast • Add a signature in your email with immediate contact information – people don’t want to spend time looking for it • Regularly update your home page and CV information • Keep ”finished” drafts of your papers available online (journals usually allow that) • So, be nice! If you make a good impression (personally, profesionally or both), they will get back to you, even if they don’t know exactly what you are doing philosophically – one thing leads to another