UWA plans to close its press, but why would anyone think it’s getting out of publishing?
Perhaps by reading the change proposal from the university’s Global Partnerships portfolio, which proposes closing its publishing arm and making staff redundant. “Only a small proportion of the authors and content published by UWA Publishing relate directly to the university and its work.”
Sounds like the end for the Press, which will not make it to its 85th birthday, next year.
This appals petitioners, who say the end of the existing publishing programme will, “undo years of publishing innovation and stunt the current flourishing of creativity in our country’s literature”. Melbourne University Press head Nathan Hollier agrees, “UWAP is a vital part of national cultural life. It is an asset that belongs to UWA and the WA community and celebrated and supported,” (via Twitter).
But the university says publishing will continue, just differently, that the money saved will be reinvested in, “open and digitised access to information and knowledge in its support of the university’s academic writing and research.”
University management confirmed the approach late Friday, stating, “should the proposal proceed, over coming months UWA will look at ways to provide even more equitable access to publishing opportunities, to highlight further works with real-world impact, and to continue the proud tradition of contributing to our cultural foundations.”
But perhaps the university meant “when” rather than “should the proposal proceed.” The announced consultation period runs to tomorrow week, not long for staff and allies to come up with a case for the Press to make it to 85.