• Share this:

Memorial University’s academic book publisher will now be known as Memorial University Press. The name change for the former ISER Books was approved by Vice-Presidents Council in October 2020. 

ISER Books, the publishing division of the Institute of Social and Economic Research in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, began operations in 1966 as a publication outlet for doctoral theses of ISER research fellows, primarily focussed on research surrounding the uniqueness of Newfoundland. This mandate held through the 1960s, but soon after, recognizing Memorial University as a centre of academic excellence for social science research on both the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the wider North Atlantic region, ISER Books expanded its mandate to include scholarly multidisciplinary monographs about the society, economy, and culture of the North Atlantic region.

Positioning the press on the same plane as its sister university presses in Canada, the change in name comes during a period of growth at the press. “The change more clearly associates the press and its work with the university,” says managing editor Alison Carr. “Better brand recognition will help us continue to broaden the dissemination of the important work we publish.” 

ISER Books has long operated as a university press in everything but name, says Dr. Fiona Polack, academic editor at Memorial University Press. “Our new official designation lets us build on that legacy, bringing attention to existing authors and helping recruit new ones.” 

Memorial University Press’s priority for publishing research focused on the North Atlantic region remains, and ensures the press’ ongoing alignment with the geographic reality and research strengths of Memorial University.

For more information about this change, read ‘Building on A Legacy’ in Memorial University’s Gazette.

For a brief history of ISER Books, read ‘Reflections on ISER Books’ by Robert Paine and Lawrence Felt.