Category Archives: university presses

Beyond BPCs – MIT Press: Direct To Open (D2O)

For anyone wishing to publish open access (OA) scholarly monograph, the book processing charges (BPCs) typically raised by publishers can be an obstacle. This blog series will provide an overview of alternative publishing funding models (Subscribe to Open) for open access monographs in which UVic Libraries participate. The range of innovative approaches to sustainable funding of OA books highlighted here all has in common that authors are relieved of paying costly publication fees.

Direct to Open logo

MIT Press is a renowned academic publisher with strong advocacy for publishing Open Access.  Beginning in 2022, all new monographs and edited volumes published by MIT Press will be made freely available through the Direct To Open program.

The D2O funding model focuses on libraries, not authors. Participating libraries collectively raise a certain amount to cover the cost of making the books available in open access. Bundled into themed packages, participating institutions can decide which content they would like to support.

By default, all D2O titles are published under a CC-BY-NC-ND license, but authors are free to choose another Creative Commons license. All books are listed on MIT Press’ own e-book platform, MIT Press Direct, in major discovery indexes, and in established OA inventories, like the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB). Parallel print editions will be available in bookstores. By distributing each D2O title through multiple channels, they receive the widest possible visibility and dissemination. 

UVic Libraries is participating in the program, thanks to which over 30 titles have already been made openly accessible in 2022.

If you have any questions related to the program, please contact the Office of Scholarly Communication.

Cambridge launches new mid-length publishing program

January 15, 2019

Cambridge Elements are a new concept in academic publishing and scholarly communication, combining the best features of books and journals. They consist of original, concise, authoritative, and peer-reviewed scholarly and scientific research, organised into focused series edited by leading scholars, and provide comprehensive coverage of the key topics in disciplines spanning the arts and sciences.

Elements are:

  • Rapidly published and disseminated.
  • Authoritative, written by leading scholars and rigorously peer-reviewed.
  • Structured in focused series, edited by senior figures in each discipline.
  • Short: 20,000-30,000 words (40 to 75 pages).
  • Available in online, onscreen, and print versions.

Elements include:

  • Analytical surveys on foundational building blocks of the discipline.
  • Original, cutting edge insights into frontier topics.
  • Masterclasses and advanced tutorials on emerging topics.
  • Detailed descriptions of novel technologies or protocols (in Medicine and Engineering).

Open access options are available for Elements:

  • CC BY-NC license
  • Gold OA fee of $5,500 pounds, excluding taxes

Closing University Press of New England

April 18, 2018 | Darmouth News

The University Press of New England (UPNE) will shut down by the end of the calendar year, ending the publishing consortium that has for the last two years been run by Dartmouth College and Brandeis University.

Following the closing, the two institutions will take independent control of their own imprints—the Dartmouth College Press and the Brandeis University Press. A Dartmouth faculty study group will be appointed to consider whether and how the Dartmouth press should move forward. Brandeis University Press is engaged in discussions to find alternative arrangements to secure the Brandeis University Press imprint into the future.

For more see: https://news.dartmouth.edu/news/2018/04/university-press-new-england-shut-down-december

University Press Partnerhsip: Rutgers and Bucknell

September 13, 2017 | Samantha Wallace

” … Rutgers University approached Bucknell about combining its operations with their own press, a partnership that will bring down costs as well as boost the profile of Bucknell’s press offerings.

Under the agreement, Rutgers University Press will take over printing the publications of the Bucknell University Press as well as marketing and advertising functions, while Bucknell will retain complete editorial control in choosing, editing and designing its books. Clingham noted that the process is not a merger but a partnership that benefits both parties equally.”

For more see: https://www.bucknell.edu/news-and-media/current-news/2017/september/university-press-partnership-will-broaden-the-reach-of-publications

Handbook of eHealth Evaluation co-edited by Francis Lau

Each year UVic faculty, staff, students, alumni, and retirees produce an incredible amount of intellectual content reflecting their breadth and diversity of research, teaching, personal, and professional interests. A list of these works is available here.

The Handbook of eHealth Evaluation: An Evidence-based Approach edited by Francis Lau and Craig Kuziemsky is a new book published by the University of Victoria that aims to provide a practical guide on the evaluation of eHealth systems.

About the Book

Over the years, we have seen a steady growth in the number and type of eHealth systems being adopted in different healthcare settings. Proponents of these systems claim eHealth can improve the quality of care provided, leading to better provider performance and health outcomes. Yet the evidence for such claims is mixed thus far, with some studies demonstrating benefits, others showing little to no impact, and some settings being even worse off than before. Understandably, there are now increasing pressures on government agencies and health organizations to demonstrate tangible return on value for the significant eHealth investments made.

This handbook is intended as a primary resource or a supplementary resource to textbooks on eHealth for students enrolled in courses related to eHealth evaluation. This handbook is also intended for individuals who are involved with the planning, design, implementation, use, support and assessment of eHealth systems in different healthcare settings. These individuals may be managers, analysts, developers, providers and trainees who are involved with some aspects of eHealth systems as part of their day-to-day work. In large organizations some of these individuals may have dedicated roles in eHealth evaluation. But often we expect them to be responsible for aspects of eHealth planning, design, implementation and support, with evaluation assigned as an afterthought or an adjunct role on the side. At the same time, this handbook can also be a useful resource for individuals who are already familiar with eHealth evaluation. It can serve as a reference text on details regarding particular evaluation approaches and the current state of knowledge in selected eHealth domains covered as case examples.

The book is available on UVicSpace or order a hard copy through the UVic Bookstore.

About the Co-Editor

Francis Lau is a Professor in the School of Health Information Science at UVic. He has a PhD in medical sciences, with specialization in medical informatics. He has a diverse background in business, computing, and medical sciences, with 14 years of professional experience in the health IT industry. Dr. Lau’s research foci are in health information system evaluation, clinical vocabularies, and palliative/primary care informatics. During 2008-2013, he was the recipient of the eHealth Chair funded by Canadian Institutes for Health Research/Canada Health Infoway to establish an eHealth Observatory to examine the impact of health information system deployment in Canada.

Knowing Home Edited by Gloria Snively and Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams

Each year UVic faculty, staff, students, alumni, and retirees produce an incredible amount of intellectual content reflecting their breadth and diversity of research, teaching, personal, and professional interests. A list of these works is available here.

Knowing Home: Braiding Indigenous Science with Western Science, Book 1 edited by Gloria Snively and Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams is a newly released open textbook published by the University of Victoria.

About the Book

Knowing Home attempts to describe the creative vision of Indigenous scientific knowledge and technology that is derived from an ecology of a home place. The traditional wisdom component of Indigenous Science—the values and ways of decision-making—assists humans in their relationship with each other, the land and water, and all of creation. Knowing Home weaves Indigenous perspectives, worldviews, and wisdom practices into the science curriculum. It provides a window into the scientific knowledge and technological innovations of the Indigenous peoples of Northwestern North America, providing numerous examples and cases for developing science lessons and curricula. Knowing Home shows how Indigenous perspectives have the potential to give insight and guidance as we attempt to solve the complex environmental problems of the 21st century.

Knowing Home is available online or you can order a hard copy through the UVic Bookstore.
PDF versions are available at: https://dspace.library.uvic.ca:8443/handle/1828/7821

About the Editors

Dr. Gloria Snively is Professor Emeritus at the University of Victoria where she taught science methods, environmental/marine education, and culture courses. She was Director of the Graduate Program in Environmental Education. For 12 years, she was involved with the Asia Pacific Network whose purpose is to strengthen links between the research community and school-based environmental education in the Asia-Pacific region. Her work with Indigenous education spans 4 decades and has always been inspired by Indigenous leaders. She enjoyed giving natural history talks and walks to students, teachers, park interpreters, First Nations and community groups for 50 years; she prefers to explore forest, ponds and seashores first-hand.

Dr. Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams OBC walking in peace is Lil’wat of the St’at’yem’c First Nation. Her life has been devoted to promoting and restoring Indigenous culture and language. She worked as an Indigenous educator and language specialist for more than 50 years in diverse settings, including Indigenous communities, public schools, and adult education settings. Dr. Williams recently retired from the University of Victoria as Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning (co-appointment with Faculty of Education and Department of Linguistics) and an associate professor, where she developed and delivered an innovative series of courses on learning and teaching in an Indigenous world.

Praise for the Book

“It is a thrill for me to see this book and to know that it will be a readily available reference for learners and educators alike. At a time when Canadians are finally embarking on a journey of Truth and Reconciliation with Aboriginal Peoples, this insightful edited volume is both timely and critically important…. Knowing Home will be a wonderful resource that will bring all Canadians to a higher level of understanding…” – Nancy Turner, Professor Emeritus and P. E. Trudeau Fellow, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria

“This book is both timely and critical, coming during the era of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and during British Columbia’s implementation of its New Curriculum, where educators have the opportunity to weave Indigenous perspectives into all parts of the curriculum in a meaningful and authentic manner. Knowing Home acknowledges and validates Indigenous Knowledges and brings it together with Western Science in a way that will be invaluable for educators.” – Nick X̱EMŦOLTW̱ Claxton, WSÁNEĆ (Saanich), PhD, Indigenous Education, University of Victoria

“The attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will require transformative new approaches to the creation and use of knowledge.  This book Knowing Home provides a brilliant example of how new ways of knowing can be combined with Western knowledge for the betterment of our communities and indeed our planet. Knowing Home places Indigenous Science on an equal footing with Western Science and in the process illustrates how innovative research with Indigenous Elders and students can dramatically enhance our understanding of home/earth/land.  And while the focus of this work is on the Indigenous Science of Northwestern North America, the research methods involved in the creation of this project, the focus on how to use Indigenous Science in classrooms, and the support of emerging Indigenous scholars can and should be carried out in many other parts of the world. Knowing Home is a defiant, provocative and hopeful intellectual contribution to the world we want.” – Budd Hall, Co-Chair UNESCO Chair in Community-based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education

“Knowing Home: Braiding Indigenous Science with Western Science is an inspiring collection of knowledge, expertise and cultural intelligence that will help all educators in transforming the foundations of learning for all students. As we strive to change the narratives in BC and beyond through authentic voices, new curricular directions and Aboriginal worldviews and perspectives, this book defines a way forward for our relationships and understandings grounded in the sacred territories of our people. This rich and reflective resource of traditional and contemporary ways of knowing and being will truly engage each of us in a personal and professional journey of truth and reconciliation.” – MUSGAM’DZI, Kaleb Child, Kwakwaka‘wakw, Director of Instruction, First Nations – School District #85, Vancouver Island North

Concordia launches university press

Karen Seidman | Montreal Gazette | October 30, 2016

The Concordia University Press opened for business on Thursday, and is now accepting submissions for scholarly book proposals from around the world as the university ventures into the digital world of publishing with its revolutionary new open-access press.

The first university in Quebec – and only the third in Canada – to offer open-access scholarly book publishing, Concordia is heralding the move as the dawn of a new era.

“This is a very important milestone,” said Guylaine Beaudry, Concordia’s head librarian. “All titles will be available for free online to anyone with an Internet connection. To make all that knowledge available for free – that is truly revolutionary.”

It’s a big deal, she said, because peer-reviewed books are a primary method of scholarly communication. “It is fundamental to teaching and learning, and to the dissemination of new research.”

For more:

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/concordia-excited-to-launch-next-generation-of-scholarly-publishing

The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan by Briony Penn

Each year UVic faculty, staff, students, alumni, and retirees produce an incredible amount of intellectual content reflecting their breadth and diversity of research, teaching, personal, and professional interests. A list of these works is available here.

About the Book

The inspiration for the book …

Authorized by his family and with the research support and participation of the University of Victoria Libraries, Briony Penn provides an unprecedented and accessible window into the story of this remarkable naturalist. From his formative years roaming the mountains around Vancouver looking for venison to his last years as a major contributor to the voluminous and authoritative Birds of British the-real-thingColumbia, Cowan’s life provides a unique perspective on a century of environmental change—with a critical message for the future.

As the head and founder of the first university-based wildlife department in Canada, Ian McTaggart Cowan revolutionized the way North Americans understood the natural world, and students flocked into his classrooms to hear his brilliant, entertaining lectures regarding the new science of ecology.

Chapter Previews are available at: http://www.cowantherealthing.com/the-real-thing

About the Author

Briony Penn is a naturalist, writer, educator, and broadcaster well known in BC for her indomitable spirit and tireless devotion to protecting endangered species and sensitive ecosystems in her native British Columbia.

Penn has published hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines, government publications and peer-reviewed journals. She’s written environmental guides and handbooks for teachers in British Columbia on topics ranging from forest ecosystems and biodiversity to the natural and cultural history of the Salish Sea.

Author’s blog at: http://www.cowantherealthing.com/news

Praise for the Book

Briony Penn’s The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan is as much a  biography of Cowan as a tribute to the BC landscapes and animal species he was fascinated by, many of them since lost to a century of destructive development. This detailed and highly engaging exploration of Cowan’s life, and the places and species that shaped his career and his thinking as a scientist, captures the wonder that Cowan felt for the natural world and the “insatiable appetite” for local knowledge (80) that he held throughout his life.

From the Globe and Mail:

The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart-Cowan, explores the life of a remarkable man who might be called the most important conservationist you never heard of.

“Aldo Leopold became a household name in the States, and Cowan was relegated to obscurity. It’s kind of the quintessential Canadian story,” said Ms. Penn, an environmental activist, writer and adjunct professor at the University of Victoria. “Peter Scott and David Attenborough [whose natural history television shows he directly inspired] became knighted and worldwide names, and Cowan was forgotten.”

Dr. McTaggart-Cowan did scientific research and founded the first university-based wildlife department in Canada. But perhaps his most significant contribution was through his popular television shows, which influenced the way people think about the natural world.