University Press Week is an annual celebration coordinated by the Association of University Presses which recognizes the impact that a global community of university presses has on every one of us. Scholarly presses play a critical role in society, contributing to the advancement of knowledge, the dissemination of research, and the preservation of intellectual history. As the academic publishing landscape continues to evolve—driven by new technologies, open-access movements, and the changing needs of learners—our role in shaping knowledge distribution and access is increasingly dynamic and exciting. We are so proud of the work we do and thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate that work during UP Week! This year’s theme explores how university presses #StepUP to educate and enlighten, motivate and inspire, support and act. Join in on the fun with the hashtags #UPWeek, #StepUP, and #ReadUP!
Come with us on a tour of blogs in our larger university press community through a series of posts that address different aspects of the UP Week theme. Stay tuned as we update this post daily with the latest stops on the tour!
Friday, November 15: How does your press StepUP?
University of South Carolina Press steps up for first-gen, low-income students. University of Virginia Press makes sense of the current political process. University of Notre Dame Press is stepping up their accessibility. Bucknell University Press is committed to publishing translations. University of Chicago Press presents a reading list that faces present challenges. University of Georgia Press uses SEO to amplify their titles. University of British Columbia Press brings diverse books to Canadian readers. Edinburgh University Press embraces open access. Michigan State University Press emphasizes queer healing and transformative justice. University of Alabama Press shares the story quilts of Yvonne Wells. Bristol University Press supports the transition to a fairer research ecosystem. University of Pennsylvania Press questions and redefines underlying scholarly assumptions. West Virginia University Press steps up for health humanities and narrative medicine. Johns Hopkins University Press how the humanities step up for STEM via Project MUSE. University of Nebraska Press describes how their journal moves from resilience to resistance. Fordham University Press promotes literacy in New York City. University of Illinois Press focuses on educational books and journals. SUNY Press steps up to support DEI.
Thursday, November 14: Where does your press StepUP?
Cornell University Press steps up at the Brooklyn Book Festival. Kent State University Press publishes both locally and globally. Columbia University Press endeavours to make sense of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. University of Pennsylvania Press challenges organizations to step up in the marketplace. West Virginia University Press spotlights their Salvaging the Anthropocene series. Purdue University Press shares their Navigating Careers in Higher Education series. University of Texas Press brings books to life in Austin. University Press of Florida addresses sustainability in Florida. SUNY Press describes all the places they step up. University of Nebraska Press give African poets a platform to thrive. University of Vermont Press connects healthy people with a healthy planet. University of Illinois Press steps up with their new blog series.
Wednesday, November 13: When does your press StepUP?
Harvard Education Press stands behind their publications on important issues. Columbia University Press steps up for groundbreaking climate science. University of Pennsylvania Press speaks out on the science and implications of nuclear weapons. West Virginia University Press features voices that are often overlooked or outright ignored. Johns Hopkins University Press steps up their Subscribe to Open initiative. University of Nebraska Press builds community through the Nebraska Celebration of Books.
Tuesday, November 12: What does your press do to StepUP?
Athabasca University Press publishes Benetech-certified accessible books. Liverpool University Press focuses on early career researchers. University of Michigan Press showcase their ebook collection on fulcrum. University of Pennsylvania Press feature their journals and work in open access. Edinburgh University Press encourages participation with a publishing internship. Leuven University Press practices inclusive academic publishing through accessibility. McGill-Queen’s University Press educates and enlightens on refugee and forced migration issues. University of Vermont Press breaks down barriers with diamond open access. Princeton University Press supports a diverse voices book grants program. University of Washington Press serves Indigenous nations and communities. University of Notre Dame Press challenges global religious oppression. University of Rochester Press grapples with gender and race in American history. Johns Hopkins University Press elevates diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Duke University Press steps up for readers in prison. Purdue University Press publishes innovative mental health research. University of Nebraska Press publishes in Native American and Indigenous Studies. University of Utah Press documents 75 years of stepping up. University Press of Mississippi shares their first author initiative. University of North Carolina Press highlights their Partnership for Open Publishing program. University of Illinois Press reflects on the internship experience. University of Texas Press participates in the wider Texas community. University of Chicago Press shed light on human and social challenges.
Monday, November 11: Who StepsUP at, with, or for your press?
University of Alberta Press shows their appreciation for their talented team of freelancers. Temple University Press writes about how research can prompt participation in community action. University of Pennsylvania Press interviews Mary Ellen Curtin, biographer of Barbara Jordan. McGill-Queen’s University Press shows how copyeditors shine a light on scholarship. University of Washington Press presents author Liza Grandia on Mesoamerican food activists. West Virginia University Press interviews press director Than Saffel. University of New Mexico Press posts a conversation with the author of Women in Independent Publishing. Wilfrid Laurier University Press writes on stepping up at home and abroad. Purdue University Press shares a list of books and authors writing on aging and health. SUNY Press features and interview with author Stephanie Evans. Syracuse University Press documents a history of stepping up for books. University of Nebraska Press spotlights the work of the press’s Justice Equity Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Duke University Press celebrates their Read to Respond book lists encouraging thoughtful debate. Combined Academic Publishers express their ongoing support for academic publishers. University of Vermont Press offers their thoughts on the importance of teamwork. Yale University Press reflects on the myriad ways their publications foreground diverse voices. Manchester University Press gives an overview of their Reading the Gothic series. University of Illinois Press interviews assistant acquisitions editor Leigh Ann Cowan. NYU Press introduces director Eric Schwartz. University of Notre Dame Press revisits 75 years of stepping up.
