March 21-22, 2010
University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC
Background: In 2007, the US-based Ithaka Group published a landmark report1 on new models for scholarly book publishing. The report recommends renewed commitment to publishing in its broadest sense so universities can realize the global impact of their academic programs, enhance the reputations of their institutions, maintain a voice in what constitutes important scholarship, and in some cases reduce costs. It highlights the need to deploy the full range of university resources – faculty research and teaching, library collections, IT capacity, and press publishing expertise – and signals the leading role university provosts can play in developing new publishing models for their campuses.
Canadian University Publishing in a Digital Age: A Symposium is intended to build on these ideas and take the discussion to a national level. Designed for an audience of university provosts, press directors, library directors and chief information officers, it will create a rich networking environment in which participants will learn and discuss:
• What new models are emerging for production and digital dissemination of scholarly work?
• How are these transforming the roles of university presses, libraries, IT and faculty authors?
• What approaches are no longer working and why? What new collaborations, especially using digital platforms, are possible? What must we preserve about our current system?
• How can we achieve sustainability from the creation of new scholarship through to its long-term preservation and accessibility?
Our expert panel of speakers will explore these issues and highlight the new scholarly publishing models emerging on campuses across North America.
Following the speaker presentations, participants will discuss what common principles, potential projects and resources are needed to develop a made-in-Canada strategy for transforming scholarly publishing in a digital age. Next steps toward achieving this strategy will also be identified.
Canadian University Publishing in a Digital Age offers a unique opportunity for key stakeholders, from across campus and around the country, to connect, share ideas, and work collectively toward reshaping the future of scholarly publishing in Canada.