Policy Press and Bristol Uni create University of Bristol Press

Academic publisher Policy Press has joined with the University of Bristol to become the University of Bristol Press.

University of Bristol Press (UBP) represents a "natural next stage" in the development of Policy Press, a publisher with a 20-year record of "high-impact" book and journal publishing and an "explicit mission to help influence positive social change", the publisher said.

The creation of the press also reflects the commitment of the University of Bristol to "support the creation and dissemination of the highest quality research throughout the world and to encouraging teaching and learning innovation". As such, the UBP is also a key component of the University of Bristol’s new vision and strategy.

Professor Hugh Brady, vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bristol, said: “For the past 20 years, Policy Press has been enriching academic and broader social debate in the United Kingdom and around the world. We are delighted, therefore, to invest in the future of the press and to expand its remit, under the new University of Bristol Press, to encompass a broader range of scholarship of the highest quality.  At this exciting time for the University of Bristol, the establishment of UBP is an ideal way to promote the values and mission of the University worldwide.”

At the core of UBP, the Policy Press imprint will remain focused on its core social agenda. The press' reach and overall impact potential will be enhanced as a result of "substantial" new investment by the University in staff and systems across all of the press’ functions.

With the ability to publish under the UBP name in addition to the Policy Press imprint, the press will be able to expand its publishing into new subject areas, accessing a broader range of scholarship.  "The expanded press will be dynamic, innovative, and responsive to the changing needs of the scholarly community internationally", a spokesperson said.

Alison Shaw, director of Policy Press, said: “Policy Press is a great springboard from which to create a new university press that can respond to the immense changes and opportunities in academia and scholarly publishing.   University presses are a crucial part of our intellectual, social and cultural landscape, and it is an exciting privilege to play a larger role in it than ever before.  I am enormously proud of what we have achieved, and excited about the future.”