A new model of University Press
Founded in 2010 by publishing professionals in the historic centre of Turin, Accademia University Press was created to respond professionally to the challenges posed by the evolution that has long characterised Italian academic publishing, including repeated reform measures, budget constraints, the shortcomings of existing publishing models, often arbitrary selectivity in access to publication, and problems related to control and referencing systems and intellectual property policies. But at the same time to enable the university world to seize the opportunities that new technologies and the web make available.
The ability of the publishing house's team to operate successfully in this context is demonstrated by the growth of the catalogue over the years as well as by the recognition obtained in a short space of time at international level: in particular, Accademia University Press was the first Italian publishing house to be accepted on the OpenEdition Books platform thanks to the choices made on the subject of open access and the maximum adherence to the best practices developed in the international debate, within which the publishing house is actively involved.
Costs and contracts
Today's printing and pre-press technologies, from print on demand to digital, make it possible to offer solutions that go as far as eliminating fixed costs, while respecting standard processing procedures. For example, with payment only for the printed copies actually required, while guaranteeing unlimited availability over time for reprints of even the smallest print runs.
The customer's requirements can be translated into contractual solutions that are far more flexible than in the past.
In this way, it is possible to provide access to publication even for scholars at the beginning of their careers. It is also possible to enable an already structured university body (a department, but also a consortium of departments, a study centre, etc.) to create its own distinctive and recognisable project. Always with absolute transparency, including with regard to the costs incurred.
Quality
The professionalism in the publishing field ensured by the experience of the staff of Accademia University Press and the conscious use of new technologies allow us to obtain the best results even with limited economic resources, both in terms of editorial care and in terms of graphics and typography.
The quality of the editorial activity also includes attention and respect for the author, as well as guaranteeing publication times.
Content dissemination
As is now well known, making a product of academic research known today means much more and better than getting a printed volume onto the shelves of a bookshop or library.
Without neglecting the still valid traditional forms of publishing distribution, rethought in such a way as to be economically sustainable (the paper versions of Accademia University Press volumes are distributed in Italy by Messaggerie Libri and for libraries by Casalini), it is now possible to reach a much wider audience through a conscious use of digital and the web.
The digital versions of Accademia University Press publications are therefore available both on platforms promoting open access (OpenEdition Books and Journals, Directory of Open Access Books, Directory of Open Access Journals) and on aggregators such as Torrossa and Ebsco.