As publishers, we develop expertise in publishing the work of others, in acquisitions, editorial management, peer review, and in myriad roles that add value to authors and extend scholarship. In our upcoming Publishing CareerBuilder, we will explore the impact of getting involved with and contributing to publishing journals. We’ll discuss the benefits of writing for and publishing an article in publishing journals, serving as a peer reviewer, serving on an editorial board or as Editor-in-Chief. Join us as we explore the impact these activities can have on one’s career and the impact these journals have on the publishing ecosystem. Our webinars in the popular Publishing CareerBuilder series focus on career opportunities, publishing roles and sectors, and job search strategies. Publishing your research and articles about publishing forces, issues, and best practices contributes to the advancement of the publishing ecosystem and has a positive impact on your career.
Dr. Alyssa Arbuckle, Co-Editor, Journal of Electronic Publishing; Cluster Co-Facilitator, INKE Partnership
Tia Gracey, Managing Editor, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing; Associate Editor, American Political Science Association
Jocelyn Hargrave, Editor, Publishing Research Quarterly; Lecturer in Publishing, University of Derby
Lois Jones, Editor-in-Chief, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing; Peer Review Director, Journals, American Psychological Association (APA)
Jodie Martire, Associate Editor of Publishing Research Quarterly, Ph.D. candidate, University of Queensland
Michelle Urberg, PhD, MSLIS, North American Editor for Learned Publishing, on behalf of Society for Scholarly Publishing; Client Success Manager, LybLynx
This event is sponsored by GW’s Graduate Program in Publishing,is free of charge, and is open to current and prospective students, alumni,and members or aspiring members of the publishing, library, and scholarly communication community.
Co-moderated by Nicole Mintzand John W. Warren
Bios
Dr. Alyssa Arbuckle(she/her) is the Co-Editor of the Journal of Electronic Publishing and a researcher with the Implementing New Knowledge Environments Partnership, where she co-facilitates its Connection cluster. Until 2024, Alyssa served as Co-Director of the Electronic Textual Cultures Lab at the University of Victoria as well as Co-Director of the Digital Humanities Summer Institute. Alyssa holds an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of Victoria; her dissertation focused on open social scholarship and its implementation.
Tia Gracey(she/her) is the Managing Editor for the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing and the Associate Editor for the American Political Science Association. She has recently earned her Master’s in Professional Studies in Publishing at George Washington University and, before that, earned her Master’s in Liberal Arts at McDaniel College. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and has recently picked up studying Japanese in her free time.
Jocelyn Hargrave (she/her) is an Australian-born Lecturer in Publishing at University of Derby. Her research intersects book history (early modern to nineteenth century), editorial theory and practice, and contemporary publishing studies, with particular focus on educational and academic publishing. She is the author of Teaching Publishing and Editorial Practice: The Transition from University to Industry (Cambridge University Press, 2022), The Evolution of Editorial Style in Early Modern England (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019), and numerous articles published in international journals such as Publishing Research Quarterly, Journal of Scholarly Publishing, Media History and Logos. Jocelyn is a practising editor, with more than twenty-five years’ experience working in the publishing industry; in July 2023, she was appointed Editor of Publishing Research Quarterly.
Lois Jones (she/her) is Editor-in-Chief, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing, and Peer Review Director for the Journals Department at the American Psychological Association (APA), where she oversees the peer review strategy and operations for 90 journals. Lois is focused on ensuring a transparent and ethical peer review process for authors, while providing reviewers and editors with the exceptional support they need in the constantly changing landscape of scholarly publishing. She is a 2014 graduate of the MPS in Publishing from GWU and a 2017 Early Career Fellow for SSP.
Jodie Martire(she/her) is a PhD candidate at The University of Queensland. Her doctoral research focuses on minority-language publishing in Australia and its role in communities’ defense of their linguistic human rights. She has over 20 years’ experience in the book trade as a writer, translator, editor, publishing manager, and bookseller, and she is currently the Associate Editor of Publishing Research Quarterly (responsible for book reviews).
Michelle Urberg (she/her) is a publishing professional, a trained librarian, and a musicologist. She has deep knowledge of metadata standards, metadata creation in the library and publishing software industries. She has worked in academic libraries, as a metadata librarian for the ExLibris business unit of ProQuest (Clarivate), and an Implementation Project Manager for ESBCO Information Services. She is currently an independent consultant and the Client Success Manager for LibLynx and the North American Editor of Learned Publishing. Recent research projects include identifying options for standard identifiers and metadata exchange of audio-visual content and improving metadata for digital humanities projects. Michelle holds a PhD in Music History and a MS in Library and Information Science. She was previously active with Metadata 2020. She is currently active in SSP, NISO, and ACRL. She is an active member of NISOs VAMD working group.
Our selection for book 6 in the GW Publishing Book Club is “Yellowface,” by RF Kuang. “With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.”
We’ve set a date of Saturday, Nov 4, at 4:00 pm EDT to have an informal discussion of the book, and we will have a special surprise.
We are enjoying the book and were pleased to see is set in DC, home of the George Washington Univerisity.
As always, we welcome Publishing Book Club members to attend our discussion whether or not they have read the book.
If you are not already a member, you may sign up here.
Book 7 selection
Vote for our seventh selection using this form by October 31, 2023. We’ll announce the selection at our meeting on Nov 4, and discuss it early next year. We’ve narrowed the list down to four titles that were suggested by members.
Two are from Princeton Univ Press, who have generously offered a discount to members. They all look great!
Here is our Bookshop.org list of books that members have recommended and previous books we have read and discussed. To date we have discussed five titles, and the authors of all five books have met with members to discuss their book.
The GW Publishing Book Club, organized by the MPS in Publishing program at the George Washington University, is a space for publishing students, alumni, faculty, and members of the publishing, library, and scholarly communication community to read and discuss titles on the history of the book, the history of publishing, and similar topics. The bookclub is free and open to all, and is designed for general knowledge, fun, networking, and community building.
GW Publishing Book club committee: Laila Keadan (chair), Casey Aimer, Amber Avila Aimer, Carly Fisher, Kathryn Kremp
5/15/23 update: The submission deadline for proposals has been extended to June 30, 2023. Thanks to all who have already submitted a presentation proposal. We have some great ones and will be in touch soon!
The 13th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, as a hybrid event, with in-person and virtual presentations and attendees, at the George Washington University’s Arlington Learning Center, in Arlington, VA (Washington, DC metro area).
Submit your presentation proposal by June 30, 2023 (extended from May 15). We welcome your proposals for presentations and will seek to accommodate as many presentations as possible. Please indicate on the form whether you are able to present in person or online.
We are soliciting conference presentations from (and for) publishing and library professionals, scholars, faculty, and students.
Potential topics include but are not limited to: • Salaries/compensation/openness • Sustainability of presses • Accessibility • Diversity & Inclusion • Inclusive practices in language editing and design • Community-centered peer review practices • Multilingualism • Demographics of university publishing—staff, authors, reviewers, & editorial boards • Author outreach and education • Free speech and censorship • New university presses & their relationship to established university presses • International partnerships between presses in developed & developing economies • Ethics in accounting for publishing costs • Ethical considerations of AI in publishing • Author integrity (plagiarism, et cetera)
Fall at GW
Alumni and current students in the GW Publishing program are invited to present their Ethics in Publishing Capstone projects.
Presentations will include invited speakers, multiple speaker panels, and short presentations. See presentations and slides from the 12th Ethics in Publishing Conference.
The 13th Ethics in Publishing Conference co-organizers are Puja Telikicherla, Licensing & Subsidiary Rights Manager, American Psychiatric Association Publishing, and Adjunct Professor, George Washington University; and John W. Warren, Director and Association Professor, Master of Professional Studies in Publishing, George Washington University.
The Association of University Presses (AUPresses), the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), the Council of Science Editors (CSE), and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) are sponsors of the GW Ethics in Publishing Conference.
Attendance (in person and virtual) to the conference will be free-of-charge.
We will endeavor to accommodate as many presentations as possible. Registration for the conference is free. Use this form to submit your proposal for presenting at the conference. A registration form for attendees will be available at a later date.
Tina Donnelly, MPS, is an Assistant Managing Editor at Penguin Random House, where she assists department heads with all aspects of audiobook production and record keeping, as well as supports the Managing Editorial team on audio and large print projects and metadata maintenance. She is a talented 2022 graduate of the MPS in Publishing program at George Washington University, and the program’s newest instructional assistant. In the latest in our series of alumni profiles, Tina shares her experiences in the GW Publishing program, her work on DEIA issues, and her work at PRH.
Tina Donnelly, MPS (2022)
Your current role is Assistant Managing Editor at Penguin Random House, where you work with audiobook and other products. Can you tell us about your work at PRH? What are some aspects you learned in the MPS in Publishing program have been helpful in your work?
As Assistant Managing Editor, I handle a variety of tasks within the audio department. While my main responsibility is maintaining the metadata of our thousands of audiobooks published each year, I also manage things such as web copy edits/updates, Canadian pricing conversions, and ONIX feeds, as well as proofing and reporting on titles in our Random House Large Print imprint, which is also handled by Audio. I enjoy my job immensely not only because I love books and audiobooks, but also because I get to work in so many different parts of the production and post-production process: all of which helps get our books into the hands of readers around the world.
Most everything I learned in the MPS in Publishing Program has been helpful in some way at improving my performance at Penguin Random House. One thing is simply a more thorough understanding of the publishing industry, and how a book goes from an author’s head to the hands of readers. A more solid knowledge of this process, not to mention the business behind it, went a long way in helping me understand just why we do the things we do at PRH. Additionally, the lessons on understanding brand image and audience interaction were essential at improving some of the more marketing-focused responsibilities at my job, such as celebrity narrator announcements and cover reveals.
…Getting to interact with the professors, all of whom are experts in their field and talented beyond measure… made understanding the real-world application of the material so much easier. Additionally, the professors’ stories and examples of working in publishing helped me to prepare for navigating the field.
What was the most challenging aspect of the MPS in Publishing program? What was the most rewarding?
The most challenging aspect of the publishing program was learning about areas of the industry that were not initially as interesting to me. As a reader and a lover of books, I was much more interested in the courses that focused on acquisition, copyright law, editing, and audience interaction. The more technical courses, ones that focused on coding, software, and technologies, were a bit more difficult for me. Thankfully, I had some truly gifted teachers that helped me along in areas that I struggled with, so it was more challenging than undoable, and I got exposure to a side of publishing that I otherwise would not have experienced.
The most rewarding part of the program was getting to interact with the professors, all of whom are experts in their field and talented beyond measure. The ability to learn lessons through the professors’ experiences in the field made understanding the real-world application of the material so much easier. Additionally, the professors’ stories and examples of working in publishing helped me to prepare for navigating the field.
What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?
I wanted to pursue a degree in publishing not only as an advantageous career move, but also because I have a genuine passion and interest in the field. As an avid reader, I have always wanted to work in publishing, and so I pursued a degree in the field. I firmly believe a degree in publishing will go a long way in securing one a position for an already highly sought-after job, not to mention that it will help tremendously with upward movement within the industry.
I chose George Washington University’s publishing program for several reasons, namely that their program simply looked the best. The curriculum was stacked with relevant and interesting-sounding courses, the instructors were all industry professionals, and best of all, the program was designed for “working adults,” which is what I was when applying. Plus, the program is at the George Washington University, a prestigious institution, and an affordable one at that.
Lastly, the staff and faculty while I was inquiring about the program were beyond helpful and informative; they were so patient and thoughtful in answering my many questions, phone calls, and emails. It was a level of care I had not received at other graduate programs, and it was something that really drew me to GW.
A highlight for us last year was having you present at our 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference—where you moderated the plenary with Kimberly Ayers Shariff, Executive Vice President, Strategy for Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Penguin Random House, and also presented your own capstone Ethics in Publishing project in a separate session! Can you tell us about the genesis and trajectory of your project, why you presented at the conference, and about your conference experience?
I took Randy Townsend’s Ethics in Publishing course in the Fall of my second year in the program. I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did; I thought it was an important and relevant class to take, but I didn’t realize how much I would gain or learn from it. I was really intrigued and impressed. One thing that stuck out to me was just how little diversity there was in publishing. I had a basic understanding that it was not as diverse as it could be, but I was a little surprised to find out just how overwhelmingly uniform the industry was. This homogeneity is reflected in both the publishing workforce and product output. This bothered me because as a big reader, I have always been able to see myself reflected in various stories, circumstances, and characters, and it saddened me that this was not the case for all readers. Or rather, that their portrayals in literature seemed limited, while mine seemed endless.
Tina Donnelly (l) and Kim Ayers Shariff (r, on screen) at the 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference
I was so drawn to this issue that I wanted to make it my capstone project for the course. Thus, I set out to make a case for why and how the industry can be more diverse, as well as a snapshot at its current demographics. The latter was the easy part; my own company, PRH, had just released their yearly diversity and inclusion report, and statistics for other companies were not difficult to find since this is an oft-discussed topic. The hard part came when I had to formulate my own ideas and suggestions for how to rectify the problem and move forward to a more diverse and representative publishing landscape. This is where Kim Shariff came in. Kim is the Executive Vice President, Strategy for Diversity Equity & Inclusion at PRH, and I had several conversations with her over what should be done, what is being done, and what further we can do to address this problem. Kim Shariff is an outstanding and insightful intellectual, as well as an experienced Diversity and Inclusion Officer, and she was able to give me some helpful ideas, tools, and attitudes towards tackling this issue. It is because of her guidance and advice that the presentation turned out so well, and I was proud to have her consult on it.
I wanted to present my findings at the Ethics in Publishing Conference namely because I am very passionate about this subject; it is close to my heart as a lifelong booklover who wants everyone to be able to indulge in the joys of reading. Additionally, Randy Townsend and John Warren both gave me some solid feedback on my initial capstone project, and I wanted to incorporate their suggestions to make it even stronger and more informative—more of a call-to-action, instead of mainly a passion project. I am happy to report that not only did I have the privilege of presenting my findings at the conference, but I also had the pleasure to moderate the plenary session with Kim Shariff, as well as get to see some other incredibly interesting and thought-provoking presentations from other GW alumni.
Equity in Action: From Corporate Initiatives to Team Practices (Plenary session of 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference)
What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program?
The most important advice, in my opinion, is to study as broadly as you can and take classes outside of your normal interests. People move around in publishing a lot, and you never know what areas of study will come in handy later in one’s career. Also, another big piece of advice that seems basic but cannot be over-emphasized is to attend the online sessions. These are not technically required, but students will learn and gain so much more from the course if they attend the weekly online sessions. This is an opportunity to engage with other students, ask questions, clarify details of the week’s lesson and assignment, and bounce ideas of your classmates; one really goes so much farther if they can attend.
I chose GW’s publishing for several reasons, namely that their program simply looked the best. The curriculum was stacked with relevant and interesting-sounding courses, the instructors were all industry professionals, and best of all, the program was designed for “working adults,” which is what I was when applying. Plus, the program is at the George Washington University, a prestigious institution, and an affordable one at that.
What courses or professors had an impact on you during your time at GW?
Publishing Entrepreneurship with John Warren is exceedingly helpful for young publishing professionals. Even if you don’t plan to be an entrepreneur yourself, this course is great for understanding the basics of the business.
Copyright Law/Print & Cyberspace is an essential class for anyone who wants to work in publishing, no matter what area. Understanding the basic rules of copyright, trademark, and fair use is critical in any media field, and this course excellently teaches these concepts.
The Professional Editor is another course that anyone entering the publishing world should take. Even if one is not necessarily going into this department, this is an important course that covers not just editing, but also managing, proofing, team relations, and author interaction. If anyone wants to work with books or journals at all, this class is a must.
Production Management is a challenging course, but it goes without saying that this is a necessary course for anyone entering publishing. Having a basic understanding of the production process, even if one has nothing to do with the production side of things, is critical for understanding a book’s life cycle. Knowing this is vital because no matter what area of publishing one is in, production will affect them in one way or another, and it is best that one has a working knowledge of the process.
John Warren had a huge positive impact on my time at GW, not just as a professor but also as the program director. He was exceedingly helpful whenever I struggled and assisted me in navigating the program whenever I was uncertain how to proceed.
Dean Smith was also a major ally in my time at GW. As one of the first professors I had in the program, he helped prepare me for the rest of my education and gave me the confidence I needed to tackle my course load.
Both Josephine Sciortino and Rebecca Brenner were each such massive supports through their class, The Professional Editor. They each had so much wisdom and experience they shared in the course, not just about editing but also about how to successfully operate in all areas of publishing, as well as how to act as a true professional in the workplace. Their guidance and encouragement had such a positive impact on me in my last year of the program.
Greg Britton is another professor who is almost too good to be true. He is not only one of the kindest people I have ever met, but he is also an extraordinary talented professor and masterfully teaches his class on book acquisitions. His eagerness to connect with students and teach the material in a more interactive and collaborative fashion made such a difference in helping me to understand acquisitions more thoroughly, not to mention it made me much more interested in the topic.
The value of GW’s MPS in Publishing degree can truly not be overstated. The degree will not only bolster you as a candidate for publishing jobs, but it will also instill you with a sense of ease and confidence in navigating the field; one has, after all, mastered it. Personally, I have newfound respect (and responsibilities) at my own workplace because my team feels I can handle more, and they are correct.
Gatekeeping and Trade Publishing, Devyn Yan Radke, Tina Donnelly (12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference)
What have you found to be the value of the MPS in Publishing degree, and how are you using what you learned, as a rising publishing professional?
It is unarguable that the value of GW’s MPS in Publishing degree can truly not be overstated. The degree will not only bolster you as a candidate for publishing jobs, but it will also instill you with a sense of ease and confidence in navigating the field; one has, after all, mastered it. Personally, I have newfound respect (and responsibilities) at my own workplace because my team feels I can handle more, and they are correct. I feel surer in myself as an employee and my own capabilities. The degree itself does a lot to impress one’s superiors too; just having it shows not only that you have a strong sense of how the business operates, but also that you cared enough to pursue higher education for your career, both of which go a long way in highlighting you as a dedicated professional.
Can you provide any other tips that might be helpful for prospective students?
Take as many electives as you can manage, and try to study things that are outside your comfort zone; you’ll be surprised at how much you may enjoy them. Business and entrepreneurial classes will teach you a lot about publishing on the ground level. Furthermore, take advantage of things like online sessions, office hours, Publishing Career Builders, and any conferences that you can attend. These are all great opportunities at GW to not only network but also sharpen your skills to prepare for the publishing landscape.
Scholarly communications and publishing organizations across the industry are invited to join the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), The Scholarly Kitchen (TSK), and the Masters in Publishing program at George Washington University (GW) in highlighting issues of publishing ethics during the first-ever unofficial “Publishing Ethics Week,” happening this week, October 10-14, 2022.
Launching today with a special collection of resources, #PublishingEthicsWeek22 brings together events, toolkits, best practices, and original research from a host of scholarly publishing organizations:
American Chemical Society
AUPresses
Coalition for Diversity in Scholarly Communications (C4DISC)
Announcing the inaugural issue of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing
WASHINGTON D.C.— The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Publishing program, George Washington University, is pleased to announce the inaugural issue of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing. This new online journal is managed by students in the MPS in Publishing program, and led by Editor-in-Chief Randy Townsend, Director of Publishing Operations, PLOS, and an editorial board of publishing leaders.
EIC Townsend, the editorial board, and MPS students and faculty have established a vision emphasizing equity and quality for theGW Journal of Ethics in Publishing, with an exceptional peer review process involving leading publishing, library, and scholarly communication professionals, scholars, and researchers. This new scholarly journal explores efforts to enable and implement equitable, inclusive, and accessible publishing. The editorial board includes:
Gabrielle Bethancourt, Assistant Editor, Wiley
Lois Jones, Peer Review Director, American Psychological Association
Josephine E. Sciortino, Managing Editor, Canadian Science Publishing
Core to its mission, the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing (GWJEP) seeks to provide a platform for students and other industry professionals to discuss often-ignored realities of the publishing industry. GWJEP welcomes scholarly articles, case studies, and GW Ethics in Publishing Conference presentations from scholars, students, and publishing professionals on topics including diversity and inclusion, accessibility, peer review, open access, sustainability, publishing metrics, equity, and other issues of publishing ethics. The Journal of Ethics in Publishing’s first issue is set to advance ethical conversations within the industry and challenge traditional “business as usual” approaches to safeguarding content, representing contributions from both students and professionals.
GWJEP provides MPS in Publishing students an opportunity for hands-on experience managing a professional-level journal, provides a forum for students to publish their Ethics in Publishing capstone projects, and involves the wider community of publishing, library, media, and scholarly communication professionals and scholars as board members, peer reviewers, authors, and readers. This student-managed publication is an open-access resource, free for anyone to access online, and is free from submission fees or article processing charges, providing opportunities for publication from underrepresented voices.
Four student-led committees include Editorial (led by Aimar Galarza, and previously by Giuliana Macaluso); Marketing (led by Donna Prideaux, and previously by Emily Hatcher); E-Publishing (led by Julie McClenahan, and previously by Jeremy Ottley); and Strategy and Sustainability (led by Madi Neuner, and previously by Ashley Warren). Graduate student Ashley Warren serves as Managing Editor.
MPS in Publishing Director and Associate Professor John W. Warren conceived of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishingand serves as publisher. GWJEP is published on the Manifold Scholarship platform, developed by the University of Minnesota Press, the CUNY Graduate Center’s Digital Scholarship Lab, and Cast Iron Coding, with a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) is a sponsor of the journal.
About the GW Master of Professional Studies in Publishing program:
The Master of Professional Studies in Publishing program, College of Professional Studies, at George Washington University, is the leading graduate-degree program for current and aspiring publishing professionals. Current publishing professionals sharpen their skills and expand their knowledge through high-level coursework, while other students include post-bachelor and post-graduate students who have earned their degrees in other disciplines but desire careers in publishing. Coursework emphasizes “real-world” learning, participation, and group work utilizing creative and analytical approaches. Skills and topics include acquisitions, editing, copyright and permissions, business and management, marketing, design, production, and digital technology. Created in 2006, with the addition of a flexible, online program in 2012, more than 450 alumni work as leaders in the field in all publishing sectors and specialties. The program’s curriculum is taught by internationally-recognized leaders in publishing, who help to prepare students for managerial and leadership positions across all segments and specialties in the publishing industry.
For media inquiries about the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing, please contact Donna Prideaux, Media Lead, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing at gwpress@email.gwu.edu.
For more information, and media inquiries, about the MPS in Publishing program, please contact John W. Warren, Director and Associate Professor, at jww@gwu.edu.
The theme of this year’s conference is Equitable Publishing. The Association of University Presses (AUPresses) and the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) are co-sponsors of the GW Ethics in Publishing Conference. Attending this virtual event is free-of-charge, and registration will open in September.
We are soliciting conference presentations from (and for) publishing and library professionals, scholars, faculty, and publishing students. Topic ideas include, but are not limited to: • Ways to enable and implement equitable, inclusive, and accessible publishing • Efforts to make workplace practices equitable in publishing organizations, including internships and early-career positions • Efforts to ensure diverse voices are part of the conversation about inclusion, equity, and accessibility • Work to ensure peer review, authorship, editing, publications metrics, etc., are equitable and free of bias • Work to make publications more accessible
Alumni and current students in the GW Publishing program are also invited to present on their Ethics in Publishing Capstone projects, including both “Making the World Better” projects and Case Studies..
Kogan, Tempietto
Presentations will include panels as well as “PechaKucha” style, short talks.
The 11th Ethics in Publishing Conference co-organizers are Puja Telikicherla, Licensing & Subsidiary Rights Manager, American Psychiatric Association Publishing, and Adjunct Professor, George Washington University; and John W. Warren, Director and Association Professor, Master of Professional Studies in Publishing, George Washington University.
Deadline for presentation proposals/submissions: September 8, 2021.
We will endeavor to accommodate as many presentations as possible. Registration for the conference will be free.
The Journal of Ethics in Publishing is excited to introduce the four student-led committees working to help launch the journal. Each of these four committees deal with different aspects of the journal: Editorial, Marketing, E-Publishing, and Strategy and Sustainability. We recently asked the four committee leads to describe what their committees are charged with, what they’ve accomplished thus far, and what role they will play as the journal continues to evolve and work towards publication.
The Editorial Committee of the Journal of Ethics in Publishing has been charged with stewarding the fair, unbiased double-masked peer review of journal submissions; identifying opportunities to recognize referee contributions; and developing guidelines to maintain journal integrity.
The committee has been hard at work establishing processes to optimize its operations. With the ethical imperative of the journal ever on our minds, the committee’s regular meetings involve discussion around best practices for peer review. We’ve also engaged in research and leveraged professional networks to identify peer reviewers whose expertise and values align with the mission of the journal. In preparation for the first issue of the journal, our inaugural articles have been identified and sent to peer reviewers to solicit feedback—and we’ve already received a reviewer report!
I look forward to seeing the Editorial Committee’s role in the journal continue to solidify and evolve as we move toward the journal’s launch—and over the coming years. This is an integral and enthusiastic committee that affords members experience that will be useful in any publishing profession. And we’re always looking for new members! If you’re interested in learning more about the editorial side of journal publishing, I highly encourage you to join!
Emily Hatcher
Marketing Committee
Lead: Emily Hatcher
Marketing committee members: Sarah Godlin, Corrine Gosling, Abby Norton, Caitlin Monday, Haley Mullins, Nicole McConnell, and Donna Prideaux.
The Journal of Ethics in Publishing’s first marketing committee has been tasked with strategizing, designing, and implementing marketing strategies for the journal. Throughout the past couple of months, the committee has met weekly to brainstorm ideas, discuss content strategy, and begin to establish the journal’s identity as a whole. So far, we’ve created a customer persona, social media strategies, and a content calendar, and we’re continuing to work on setting up social media accounts and starting a weekly email newsletter.
This group is extremely passionate and energetic and I’m so excited to see how the committee will continue to celebrate and amplify the journal.
The E-Publishing Committee for the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing has been charged to develop and maintain the online journal presence, ensuring discoverability, appropriate indexing, and successful implementation of industry standards. So far, we’ve been developing a taxonomy for our content to support an indexing strategy, a set of author guidelines to better prepare manuscripts for the platform, as well as a Corrections and Errata policy. Lately, we’ve begun to discuss how to present special collections and how to enhance the user experience.
I look forward to continuing to build a strong digital foundation for George Washington University’s newest born-digital publication.
Ashley Warren
Strategy and Sustainability Committee
Lead: Ashley Warren
Strategy and Sustainability committee members: Ambriah Underwood, Julie McClenahan, Elizabeth Von Mann, Madison Neuner, Maeve Hayden, and Sydnie Koetje-Simin
Board Liaison: Lois Jones
The GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing’s Strategy and Sustainability Committee has been charged with being the Journal’s moral compass, guiding it through industry disruption while establishing and protecting a legacy of excellence and a tradition of quality. We strive to ensure the Journal serves its readers and the publishing industry for many years to come, while never compromising its values or integrity.
Currently, the Strategy and Sustainability team is working to develop the initial processes that will provide the Journal with critical assets for the future. In sub-committees, members are developing student volunteer recruitment and retainment methods; evaluating the competition and searching for potential hurdles; considering long-term peer reviewer relationships; creating data matrices; and actively working to find grants and other funding opportunities.
Our committee looks forward to working together, and with future student volunteers, to help the Journal of Ethics in Publishing find perennial success.
The four committee leads work closely with our Editorial Board Student Representative, Gabrielle Bethancourt-Hughes, to help drive initiatives and establish a solid foundation for the journal.
While there have been many accomplishments, there is still so much work to be done! If any of the above committees interest you, we will be accepting new members in the fall; we will send out a request for volunteers when the time comes. This is a great opportunity to gain real-world experience, work more closely with your peers, and help to publish important content.
The CPS Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award is awarded to a graduating student who demonstrates academic excellence while exemplifying the core competencies of the College, which are:
Develop ways to engage with individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives and promote an inclusive environment for the betterment of their profession.
Foster collaboration in professional situations by knowing how to incorporate other’s views, motivations, interests, and strengths in the pursuit of solutions.
Lead by creating innovative practices and inspiring others to join them in delivering better results.
Practice professional ethics by advocating for and making choices that uphold the principles and values of their fields.
Think strategically in researching and analyzing data and contexts to set goals, solve problems, and formulate and implement shared visions.
Communicate complex information and ideas to, and solicit and incorporate feedback from, a variety of audiences.
I’m extremely proud to announce the CPS Distinguished Scholar award recipient: Master of Professional Studies in Publishing student, Jeremy Ottley.
Jeremy Ottley, MPS in Publishing, CPS Distinguished Scholar Award Recipient
Students in the Publishing program, and throughout the master’s and certificate programs of College of Professional Studies are a talented group. Jeremy Ottley is an exemplary student; his contributions have benefited his peers as well as our faculty.
In particular, let me highlight his Ethics in Publishing Capstone project. The Ethics in Publishing course, over the course of only eight weeks, asks students to conduct either an Applied Ethics Project (that “makes the world better”) or a Case Study/research project.
Jeremy, in these short eight weeks, researched a paper investigating the remarkable lack of university presses in Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). His case study began with a question: why are there no university presses at HBCUs? This emerged from his career search, as he was interested in potentially working at a HBCU Press. But there are none.
During the course of his research, Jeremy interviewed several prominent publishing executives, professors of civil rights history; literary activists; and scholars, while also conducting literature and archives research.
To say the project was accomplished is an understatement. His project emerged as a fully-formed paper ready for publication in a scholarly journal.
Though he had a self-confessed trepidation of public speaking, he nevertheless contributed to class WebEx meetings and activities with insights, on topics from diversity in publishing to publishing technologies, to production. His posts to students on discussion boards have been encouraging and insightful.
In his professional capacity, Jeremy is a digital production specialist at Project Muse, Johns Hopkins University Press. His expertise in technology and production aspects of publishing, which are often inscrutable to many students but provide excellent career prospects, have been beneficial to a wide range of students. He has a bright career ahead in publishing.
Please join me in congratulating this year’s recipient of the CPS Distinguished Scholar Award, Jeremy Ottley.
John W. Warren Director and Associate Professor, MPS in Publishing
The GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing proudly announces Gabrielle Bethancourt to the Editorial Board as the student representative to the board’s founding membership.
Gabrielle Bethancourt
Gabrielle is a second-year student in the MPS in Publishing program at GW. She holds a Certificate in Editing from the University of Chicago, and taught high school English for five years before assuming her current role as a technical writer/editor. Gabrielle obtained her BA in English from Tulane University and served as an Editor for the Tulane Literary Review. She currently resides in New Orleans with her husband and one-year-old daughter.
“It is an honor to be selected as the student representative on the editorial board,” says Bethancourt. “My time in GW’s MPS in Publishing program has already supplied me with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the publishing world, but this is a unique opportunity to advance industry standards in ethics. It is also a great privilege to work with such accomplished professionals in the field. I look forward to serving my student community as a representative and the publishing community at large with this new journal.”
Gabrielle joins board members Josephine E. Sciortino, Lois Jones and Julie Vo, who were announced earlier this month as inaugural members of the editorial board by Editor-in-Chief Randy Townsend.
“To successfully launch this journal, strong editorial leadership is critical, and it’s imperative to have student representation on the editorial board, working alongside publishing experts,” says John W. Warren, Director and Associate Professor of the MPS in Publishing program, College of Professional Studies. “Gabrielle’s contributions were important, as well as those of her peers, to the launching of this journal, and her accomplishments in the program make her a natural fit for joining the board. My vision for the journal has always been to provide opportunities for our students to learn the ends and outs of journal management, while contributing to the research and literature of ethics in publishing. Student support and enthusiasm for the journal has been remarkable.”
In addition to Gabrielle’s editorship, the journal is also launching student-run committees to target 4 key objectives.
Editorial, led by Giuliana Macaluso, will steward the fair, unbiased double-masked peer review of journal submissions, identify opportunities to recognize referee contributions, and develop guidelines to maintain journal integrity.
ePublishing, led by Jeremy Ottley, will develop and maintain the online journal presence, ensuring discoverability, appropriate indexing, and successful implementation of industry standards.
Marketing & Promotion, led by Emily Hatcher, will cultivate a strategy to raise visibility of the published content, helping further ethical discussions presented by authors, and ensuring the journal brand consistently reflects values of integrity, equity, transparency, and scholarship.
Strategy & Sustainability, led by Ashley Warren, will be the moral compass guiding the journal through industry disruption while establishing and protecting a legacy of excellence and a tradition of quality.
“With Gabrielle joining the editorial team and the formation of these four committees, we are honoring our commitment to offer real-world experience and leadership opportunities to the publishing students, strengthening and adapting skills to the development of the journal,” says Townsend. “These committees will help establish the journal’s personality and characteristics. I am inspired by the enthusiasm surrounding the journal and looking forward to publishing great content.”
The Journal of Ethics in Publishing, managed by students in the GW Publishing program, welcomes articles, case studies, and conference presentations from scholars, students, and publishing professionals on topics including, but not limited to, diversity and inclusion, accessibility, peer review, open access, sustainability, publishing metrics, equity, and other aspects and issues of ethics in publishing. If you are interested in submitting to the journal, please see the Call for Papers for more information.
