These events underscored WRUP's pivotal role in ensuring academic quality, promoting open access, and driving innovation in publishing. By emphasising author experiences and facilitating a panel discussion on the value and challenges of open access, WRUP sought to enhance awareness and adoption of open access book publication. The events reinforced WRUP's identity as the primary publishing platform for Leeds, Sheffield, and York, aligning with its mission to support scholarly communication and accessibility.
Engaging with the Academic Community
The events were kicked off by key academic advocates for WRUP from each of the three institutions. Prof. John Flint, Deputy Vice-President for Research at Sheffield, hailed the innovative practices WRUP pioneers, enabling the sector to move towards a more equitable, ethical, and sustainable model for the future. Prof. Tom Stoneham, Head of the Department of Philosophy at York and exiting Chair of the WRUP Editorial Board, emphasised the Press’s core values and its openness to proposals from beyond the consortium. Prof. Nick Plant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Leeds, upheld WRUP’s commitment to knowledge equity and highlighted the technological rationale for working with a digital-first publisher.
Author Experiences
Authors who have published with WRUP have shared their experiences, providing valuable insights into the publishing process. Their testimonials highlighted the benefits of choosing an open access model, including increased visibility, wider dissemination, and the impact of their work.
Experiences of publishing with WRUP came from three prestigious academics. Dr. Wendy Michallat from the School of Languages and Cultures at Sheffield, who is the editor and translator of 320 rue St Jacques: The Diary of Madeleine Blaess (2018), praised the excellent, bespoke editorial service the Press offers. She emphasised the support and guidance she received, which helped her realise her vision of the monograph as an unabridged, scholarly resource with interdisciplinary reach.
Prof. Penny Spikins from the Department of Archaeology at York shared her positive experience of publishing Hidden Depths: The Origins of Human Connection with WRUP. She highlighted the benefits of open access books for researchers, including greater exposure for her research and opportunities such as a TV documentary. She also noted that open access addresses issues around equality of access to research.
Dr. Emily Bell from the School of English at Leeds expressed her continued support for WRUP, with a second publication, Digital Dickens, in the pipeline following her initial WRUP publication, Dickens after Dickens. Both Dr. Bell and Dr. Michallat chose to return to the Press due to its holistic, hands-on approach and attention to detail, such as cover design. Their repeated collaboration with WRUP serves as a testament to the positive experience they had working with the Press.
Panel Discussion: The Value and Challenges of Open Access
A significant portion of the event was dedicated to a panel discussion that explored the value and challenges of open access publishing, attendees were encouraged to supply questions prior to the sessions, and actively engage with the panel on the day. Panellists included leading academics, open access advocates, and publishing experts who discussed topics such as:
- The importance of accessibility and dissemination of research.
- Financial and logistical challenges in open access publishing.
- The future of academic publishing and the role of university presses in fostering innovation.
The discussions emphasised the benefits of open access book publication for authors and the academic community at large. Ensuring that research is accessible to a global audience, free of cost; this model not only democratises knowledge but also enhances the visibility and citation of authors' work. WRUP's commitment to high-quality, peer-reviewed open access publications was conveyed by the panels and addressed many myths and misunderstandings voiced by the academic and support community. The discussions took different trajectories at all 3 of the events, giving unique and engaging incites into the OA debate.
Next steps
The advocacy events hosted by White Rose University Press were a significant step towards emphasising the Press's crucial role in promoting academic quality, open access, and innovative publishing. By focusing on author experiences and addressing both the challenges and benefits of open access, WRUP is moving to reaffirm its position within the academic publishing landscape and across the institutions. The events fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of open access within the academic communities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York, paving the way for future advancements in scholarly communication. They also generated momentum and ideas for further advocacy, with the aim of extending beyond the three institutions.