Trailblazers: The OA initiative for ECRs in partnership with Lancaster University, University of Liverpool, and University of Salford

What is the Trailblazers initiative?
Trailblazers is a new open access initiative for the rising stars of their disciplines. Built on collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the libraries of Lancaster University, University of Liverpool, University of Salford, and the distinguished publisher Liverpool University Press, Trailblazers combines OA publication, to maximise the opportunity for impact from early career research, with a series of author boot camps, which will equip Early Career Researchers with the knowledge and skills to support the publication of their work throughout their careers.

NEW for 2025:
We are delighted to announce that for 2025, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Reading and University of Wolverhampton have joined the initiative, supporting Early Career Researchers from their institutions to publish their first monograph Open Access with Liverpool University Press. 

How does it work?
Selected Early Career Researchers will experience a transparent publication process, undergoing proposal and manuscript peer review, editorial guidance from senior commissioning editors, as well as professional copy-editing, typesetting, and marketing, concluding in the publication of an open access edition of their work. A series of masterclasses by publishing and library professionals will cover everything from how to write a proposal and turn a dissertation into a book, right through to how to index and what alt-text means, plus invaluable guidance on marketing, library collection management, research metrics, and how an open access monograph will benefit your research career.
By sharing knowledge from the publisher and library perspectives, the trailblazing Early Career Researchers selected for this programme will have a unique opportunity to truly understand the publishing process, while at the same time reaching the widest possible audience for their work.

Who is eligible?
Early Career Researchers from Lancaster University, University of Liverpool, University of Salford, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Wolverhampton and University of Reading are eligible to apply. This must also be the ECR’s first solo, long-form publication. For the purpose of clarity, we will be defining an ECR as someone who is either:

Within eight years of their PhD award (this is from the time of the PhD ‘viva’ oral test), or equivalent professional training; or within six years of their first academic appointment (the first full or part time paid employment contract that lists research or teaching as the primary function). 

These periods exclude any career break, for example due to: family care, health reasons, or reasons related to COVID-19 such as home schooling or increased teaching load.

How can I find out more?
If you are an Early Career Researcher at any participating institution, and would like to learn more and find details before you apply, then please visit the Trailblazers blogpost >

For more information on Trailblazers, you can also contact Alison Welsby, Editorial Director at LUP: [email protected].

To apply, please complete the following application form for the relevant institution below:

• Lancaster University Library
• University of Liverpool Library
• University of Salford Library
• Liverpool John Moores University
• University of Wolverhampton
• University of Reading

Can other institutions take part?
Yes, the founding organisations of Trailblazers now invite other institutions to participate in the initiative. If you would like to find out more and how to join, then please contact Alison Welsby >

Watch a short summary of Trailblazers on the LUP YouTube channel: