Sparks of Change is a space that features stories about how research culture is or should be evolving. Whether it is a personal realisation or an action that led others in a new direction, each piece centres around a moment that ignited change.
Image credit: Marzia Munafo (CC BY 4.0)
The articles should interweave the author’s experiences, anecdotes and reflections in an engaging and relatable manner that allows the readers to take away their own lessons, rather than offering specific advice.
The previous articles give a sense of what we’re looking for with future pieces, though future topics covered in Sparks of Change can be as varied as the experiences of those involved in research. New stories are always welcome from those with something unique or unexpected to share. We'll also run calls for pitches on specific themes throughout the year.
Sparks of Change is for anyone and everyone with research experience who has an interesting story to tell and the willingness to tell it. We are especially interested in featuring stories from individuals from communities that are underrepresented in science and medicine. One of our dedicated editors will work closely with each selected author to shape their final piece and allow the story to shine through. You do not need to have been published previously to be considered, and you do not have to wait for your idea to be perfect before getting in touch.
Interested in writing for Sparks of Change?
Tell us about your experience of the changing culture of research. Please consult our guidelines and submit a pitch via our form. We can also be contacted via sparks@elifesciences.org.
Previous Calls for Pitches
- “Neurodiversity in academia”: Stories which centre on a specific moment that was defining for neurodivergent individuals navigating the academic world.
- "When things don’t go to plan": Tell us about what went wrong – and what came next
- “When politics come into play”: Tell us how political events have changed the way you conduct research
- "Being open to change": Stories about your experiences of open science
- “Feeling like a scientist”: Stories about what it means to be and feel like a scientist
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We welcome comments, questions and feedback. Please annotate publicly on the article or contact us at sparks@elifesciences.org.
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