Abstract
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This paper serves as an introduction and scene-setter to a series of four papers (including
this) that examines the different facets of scholarly publication in the area of media and
communication (as well as its various cognate disciplines) in the ‘region’ that comprises
Australia and New Zealand. The authors of these papers are active members of the
Australian and New Zealand Communication Association (ANZCA), the peak professional
and scholarly association of the region, and have all delivered a version of these
papers at a plenary panel on ‘Publication in Australia and New Zealand’ at the
International Communications Association (ICA) Regional Conference held at the
Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane during 1–3 October 2014. This paper
begins by looking at the role ANZCA plays in supporting and mentoring scholars,
especially postgraduates or aspiring academics and early-career researchers, towards
commencing their publication journey. It then turns its attention towards the globalising
strategy of ‘parochial internationalisation’ that has defined much of Australia’s attempt to
gain relevance and recognition in the global publications environment. The second part of
the paper details the growth trajectory of one of Australia’s oldest and most reputable
media and communications journal, Media International Australia, offering insights on
how scholars and journal editors might think and operate more strategically in order to
thrive in a new and demanding publications era.