Addressing the “Hidden Curriculum” in Political Science Publishing

Across the academy, there is growing concern over diversity within academic institutions. According to recent research published in three top political science journals, members of historically marginalized groups remain underrepresented and submissions, publications, even reviewer pools (Ayoub 2022; Bell et al. 2020; Reinhardt, Windsor, King 2022). Expectations that scholars, especially early career researchers (ECRs), “publish or perish” thus exacerbate intersectional inequalities discipline (Briscoe-Palmer Mattocks 2021; McKenzie 2017; Steinþórsdóttir 2018). Further, overwhelming pressure publish at all costs can commodify knowledge production foster a toxic, competitive environment based on peer rivalry rather than collaboration for sake advancing (Horta Li 2023, 269–70, 271–72).