The publishing and research sectors continue to evolve rapidly, with major developments across funding, AI ethics, design trends and small-press struggles. Below is a curated monthly digest of key stories shaping the landscape. Federal Funding Cuts and Research Universities Ithaka has released a University Research Workforce Tracker to document the impact of US federal funding […]

This is an author interview with Slavko Splichal, the author of The Gig Public Q: ‘The Gig Public’ is an unusual title. Some might say it sounds more like a book about precarious work than about public life. Why insist on the word ‘gig’? A: That tension is exactly the point. The word ‘gig’ originally […]

This is a guest post by Tony Fry, author of Disappearing Cities While the arrival of climate change is recognised by vast numbers of people globally, the scale and diversity of its impacts are not well comprehended. There is now a lot of data, and only a limited understanding, and very little visual evidence, of […]

Dr. Andrew Dowling is a contemporary historian in the Hispanic Studies Department at Cardiff University, where he] has taught since 2002. His research focuses on 20th-century Catalan history and nationalism, including studies on pro-independence movements in democratic Spain. Dr. Andrew Dowling is the author of Catalonia: A New History (Routledge, 2022), winner of the Serra […]

Jessica A. Volz is a literary scholar, author, editor and translator (French to English) with international recognition. Over the past 15 years, she has built a diverse career spanning international relations, cultural heritage, journalism, the humanities, law, sustainability, multidisciplinary education and business development. Her book, Visuality in the Novels of Austen, Radcliffe, Edgeworth and Burney, […]

This is an interview with Yuniya Kawamura, author of Sebastian Masuda  Q1: Can you explain who Sebastian Masuda is to those who are not familiar with his work? He is known as the Godfather of the Japanese kawaii (cute) culture which originated in Harajuku, one of Japan’s most famous fashionable districts. It is a home […]

As October unfolds, it’s time to embrace fresh perspectives and look ahead to the final stretch of the year. Let’s take a look at some of our featured releases this month. Perfecting the U.S. Constitution This book explores the transformative power of the twenty-seven Constitutional Amendments in shaping American history, democracy and social justice. It […]

The academic publishing industry is undergoing significant transformations, influenced by technological advancements, geopolitical shift and evolving cultural dynamics. In this article, we delve into recent developments that are shaping the future of scholarly communication. Peer review in the era of AI: risks, rewards and responsibilities AI tools are increasingly integrated into peer review, aiding manuscript […]

This is a guest post by Pedro de Alcantara, author of Hands, Wrists, Fingers   My first clear memory of music is hearing my mother play a few sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti at the upright piano in our modest living room. I was five or six, and I remember walking and marching excitedly in response […]