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— CH. 1 · FOUNDING AND EARLY HISTORY —

Rutgers University Press

~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections
  • Rutgers University Press opened its doors on the 26th of March 1936 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The press began as a nonprofit academic house under Rutgers University. Its first years focused heavily on Civil War history and European history. A small team managed these early publications with limited resources. This foundation set the stage for decades of scholarly work.

  • The press expanded beyond its original historical focus over time. Modern areas now include sociology, anthropology, health policy, and human rights. They also publish books about urban studies, Jewish studies, and American studies. Film and media studies form another key area of their current catalog. Their scope covers the environment and books specific to New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic region. Today a staff of 18 full-time members maintains this broad program.

  • Collaboration became a priority for the press in recent years. In 2018 they entered into an agreement with Bucknell University Press. This partnership allowed both institutions to share resources and reach wider audiences. Three years later in 2021 they joined forces with the University of Delaware Press. These alliances demonstrate a shift toward cooperative models in academic publishing. Such partnerships help smaller presses survive in a competitive market.

  • Rutgers is one of thirteen publishers participating in the Knowledge Unlatched pilot program. This global library consortium approach funds open access books for researchers worldwide. The initiative aims to make scholarly work freely available without cost barriers. Participation signals a commitment to democratizing knowledge distribution. Other major university presses joined this effort alongside Rutgers during the pilot phase.

  • Harold S. Wechsler edited a series exploring higher education policy and campus dynamics. Books examine topics like college affordability and drop-out rates across the United States. They cover tenure issues, campus labor disputes, and the expansion of administrative salaries. The series also addresses the crisis in humanities and arts programs within universities. Online education and corporate university models receive significant attention here. Gender, ethnic, racial, religious, and class dynamics appear frequently in these volumes.

  • Corey K. Creekmur, Craig Fischer, Jeet Heer, and Ana Merino edited a series on comics culture. Volumes explore the artistic, historical, social, and cultural significance of newspaper comic strips. Individual titles focus on key characters, writers, and artists throughout history. Major themes include prominent genres and national traditions in comics studies. Significant historical and theoretical issues regarding graphic novels are also covered. This scholarship treats comics as serious subjects for academic inquiry.

Common questions

When did Rutgers University Press open its doors?

Rutgers University Press opened its doors on the 26th of March 1936 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The press began as a nonprofit academic house under Rutgers University.

What subjects does Rutgers University Press publish today?

Modern areas now include sociology, anthropology, health policy, and human rights. They also publish books about urban studies, Jewish studies, American studies, film and media studies, the environment, and books specific to New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic region.

Which universities has Rutgers University Press partnered with recently?

In 2018 they entered into an agreement with Bucknell University Press. Three years later in 2021 they joined forces with the University of Delaware Press.

How many staff members work at Rutgers University Press?

Today a staff of 18 full-time members maintains this broad program. This team manages the extensive catalog covering diverse scholarly fields.

Who edited the series exploring higher education policy for Rutgers University Press?

Harold S. Wechsler edited a series exploring higher education policy and campus dynamics. Books examine topics like college affordability and drop-out rates across the United States.

What is the focus of the comics culture series edited by Rutgers University Press?

Corey K. Creekmur, Craig Fischer, Jeet Heer, and Ana Merino edited a series on comics culture. Volumes explore the artistic, historical, social, and cultural significance of newspaper comic strips.