Student Authorship in Public Health: Challenges, Controversies, and Lessons Learned

Writing for publication is a key activity in the life and success of an academic. Students, due to their unique status, face specific challenges when functioning in the role of lead author. Most palpably, students and junior academics must effectively learn to leverage power dynamics with mentors and colleagues, while simultaneously distinguishing themselves within their professional network. This moderated panel will feature five junior investigators and students who have published in a variety of public health journals and across a breadth of content areas, ranging from health services research to health behavior. The panelists will draw from personal experiences of writing for publication to provide audience members with practical solutions to common concerns vis-à-vis student-led authorship. Topics addressed will include: writing with thesis/dissertation committee members; fostering successful collaboration with peers; publishing as a masters student; negotiating order of authorship; and, resolving disagreements among co-authors. Audience members will be encouraged to participate in this interactive session, which will include representation from the Editorial Team and Editorial Board of the American Journal of Public Health. This session should be of interest to masters/doctoral students, junior faculty, and faculty advisors/mentors.