18 October 2004
Dundee launches new university press
Photo opportunity 6.30pm, Monday 18th October, Law Library, Scrymgeour Building, Park Place, Dundee.
A bold venture bringing together leading players from academia and publishing has established a new
university press in Scotland.
Dundee University Press Ltd (DUP) will be devoted to quality academic books with wider audience appeal.
It launches today, Monday 18th 0ctober, with a champagne reception in the university's historic law
library.
The company - the latest in a series of university spin outs - is a partnership between the University of
Dundee 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.
"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. This is a bold venture but not a dreamy one. DUP has a robust business plan and will be as hard
headed as it will be academically stimulating," said Chair of the Board of Directors and University
Secretary David Duncan.
Hugh Andrew, managing director of Birlinn Ltd said: "It's a privilege to be associated with the start up
of a new University Press and a testimony to the energy and vision at Dundee University. I believe that
the marriage of a commercial publisher and a University can create a new dynamic in the world of academic
books."
Dundee University Press will publish across a range of disciplines including initially, law and energy as
well as science, politics and history. Up to eight DUP titles are planned in the first year rising through
15-20 in year two and 20-30 in year three. DUP will not limit its output to work by Dundee academics. All
good book proposals will be considered.
Professor Chris Whatley, historian and Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences will head the
editorial board. He emphasised: "DUP will bring some of the best thinking, the boldest research and the
most stimulating ideas from authors and academics to the wider public, contributing to contemporary
thinking across academia and the professions and adding to the national conversation. DUP offers all
serious authors, wherever they are based, an opportunity to see their work published. We welcome
ambitious writing projects as well as niche titles and important books that require to be translated and
made available to a wider audience."
The first title under the DUP imprint is a timely one. The Architecture of Scottish Government: From
Kingship to Parliamentary Democracy, edited by Miles Glendinning, launches just nine days after the
official opening of the new Holyrood Parliament building.
DUP is financed on a 70:30 basis by the University of Dundee and Birlinn Ltd.
The board of directors comprises David Duncan, Professor Chris Whatley, Hugh Andrew, Alan Leitch,
managing director of Compass Academic and Pete Cooper, director of finance, University of Dundee.
The editorial board comprises Professor Chris Whatley (chair), Hugh Andrew, John Tuckwell, Professor Sir
Philip Cohen and Carol Pope, publishing manager of DUP Ltd.
Dundee University Press is based at the University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN dup@dundee.ac.uk
www.dundee.ac.uk/dup/
Notes for Editors
The formation of DUP follows market research funded by Scottish Enterprise Tayside.
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk | 
