The British Academy has chosen Liverpool University Press (LUP) as the new partner for its prestigious and long-running academic publishing programme.
LUP's robust response to the Academy's new publishing strategy - which focuses on meeting evolving trends in the publishing landscape and sets out an ambition to be fully Open Access over time - led to its success in the tendering process.
The partnership with LUP begins on the 1 July 2025. The Academy has had a very strong publishing relationship with Oxford University Press (OUP) for many decades, but both parties felt it was an opportune moment to take stock and review plans. A tender for the new contract was launched in the summer of 2024.
Professor Lindsay Farmer FBA, Vice-President for Publishing at the British Academy, said: "We are thrilled to be working with Liverpool University Press as we embark on a new publishing strategy which puts the opening up of knowledge at the heart of all we do. LUP has been at the forefront of imaginative, agile and forward thinking about the future of academic publishing and how to tap into the ever-growing audience of educated readers. This will include plans to harness our incredible backlist stretching back decades to make sure this scholarship can be easily accessed by a global market.
"We are very proud of our partnership with Oxford University Press, which has resulted in an incredible catalogue of agenda-setting and discipline-shaping scholarship found in libraries, universities and homes the world over. We want to thank them for their excellence and collaboration over the decades and will continue working with them to champion the humanities and social sciences."
Anthony Cond, Chief Executive of Liverpool University Press, said: "Built on a rich history, yet focused on the challenges of the present and the future, the British Academy is an essential presence in UK higher education and cultural life, with impact around the world. It is a singular honour for Liverpool University Press to work in partnership with the Academy, not least because of a shared commitment to amplifying the vital work of the humanities and social sciences."
Professor Fiona Beveridge, Liverpool University Press Board Chair, and Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences said: "We are delighted to be working with the British Academy which plays a vital role in supporting humanities and social sciences. The selection of Liverpool University Press (LUP) as the Academy's publishing partner recognises the outstanding reputation of the Press as a high-quality and innovative academic publisher which has led the way in embracing and developing new digital publishing and open access models. LUP is a cherished asset within the University which plays a key role in supporting the University's reputation and global standing."
Liverpool University Press will formally become the British Academy's publishing partner on 1 July 2025, with Oxford University Press continuing in partnership until the transition is complete.
