November 2004

in this issue

Dundee launches new university press

A bold venture bringing together leading players from academia and publishing has established a new university press in Scotland.

Newly-launched Dundee University Press Ltd (DUP) will be devoted to quality academic books with professional and wider audience appeal.

The company - the latest in a series of University spin outs - is a partnership between the University and Edinburgh-based publisher Birlinn Ltd who have recently taken over Tuckwell Press. Under the deal, founder of Tuckwell Press John Tuckwell becomes commissioning editor for DUP.

Professor Chris Whatley, historian and Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences will head the editorial board. Speaking at the launch event he said, "At DUP we believe that disseminating the big ideas and the significant discoveries of the academics at this and other universities is central to our role. The universities in general and DUP in particular have a responsibility, I think, to tell a wider audience than is to be found amongst the readers of specialist academic journals about the best and most exciting things we're doing.

I think a 'Smart, Successful Scotland' needs more than a single university press.  I'm not sure if, in a lively democratic state that Scotland aspires to be, it's all that healthy to have only one academic publisher.  So from today we have two."

Chair of the Board of Directors and University Secretary David Duncan said, "By forming this unique partnership we believe we have created a winning formula for DUP, bringing together the University's strong academic base with Birlinn's dynamism in publishing. John Tuckwell's reputation and experience in the publication of over 500 books adds a further important ingredient to the DUP mix. DUP has a robust business plan and will be as hard headed as it will be academically stimulating."

DUP will specialise initially in books for the professions including law and energy as well as science, politics and history. Up to eight titles are planned in the first year rising through to 15-20 in year two and 20-30 in year three. All good book proposals will be considered and DUP will not limit its output to work by Dundee academics alone.

The first title to be published by DUP, The Architecture of Scottish Government: From Kingship to Parliamentary Democracy, was also officially launched at the opening event. The book is a historical overview of Scottish buildings of government and assembly from the middle ages to the present day. It places the current debates about the architecture of the new Scottish Parliament into a more considered, coherent and long-term historical context.

For more information contact dup@dundee.ac.uk or see www.dundee.ac.uk/dup

Principal's Column
University Christmas card 2004
The Vision towards 2007: update
University launches Annual Fund
Opening of new engineering research centre
Discover medical devices
WHO status for dental school unit
£1.87 for disease research
New course brings the swinging sixties to the history dept
History PhD success
Just write
New postgraduate centre
Participating in the historic opening of Holyrood
Psychology collaboration
Investigating drug abuse online
Calling all aspiring staff artists
Digest
Appointments to the AHRB
Award for University TV advertising campaign
Collaborations in philosophy
McKean sets European historical agenda
From witch trials to Nike trainers
Studying the Scots abroad
Books
Poets launch new collections
Research grants
Claire's cowboys
Eyes, lies and illusions
Deputy Principal retires
Christmas boxes
Awards for outstanding students
Event for wine lovers
Tackling diabetes through sport
First aid training at clinical skills
Music update
Taking immunology research to Canada
DUP logo
Latin fever at Carnaval de Cuba
Discovering inspiration
The future of interactive design