[ecrea] Cardiff University Press Journals

This is just a quick update about developments at Cardiff University 
Press. More detailed minutes were taken, but I just wanted to let you 
know the main points.

The Editorial Steering Board of Cardiff University Press met for the 
first time yesterday, 19th November 2014. The meeting was chaired by 
Professor Justin Lewis.

At the meeting it was decided that Cardiff University Press can now 
begin to consider applications from journals wishing to become Cardiff 
University Press publications.

The key concern of the Board is that Cardiff University Press titles 
should all be of the highest academic quality. As such, any application 
from a journal to become a publication of Cardiff University Press 
should emphasise the journal’s standards and mechanisms of quality control.

To submit a proposal to Cardiff University Press, journal editors should 
describe:

   * the remit and scope of the journal;
   * the form and process of peer review;
   * the administrative structure of the journal (editors, editorial
     board, advisory panel, etc.);
   * the primary kinds of content and contributors;
   * and the frequency of publication.

Existing journals must demonstrate that they have consistently published 
in a timely manner, and to schedule. New/proposed journals must be able 
to persuade the Board that they have at least four issues lined up, and 
that these will be delivered at a high quality and to schedule.

Both new/proposed and existing journals must be aware that, should they 
be adopted as a Cardiff University Press publication, they will be 
required to deliver manuscripts that are 100% ready for publication. 
This is because, at present, the Press will not be offering publishing 
services. It will be a location of and for high quality journals.

As the Press develops, its range of publications and also its levels of 
support to editors and authors will develop also. But at this early 
stage, journal editors should be aware that they will be required to 
deliver publication-ready manuscripts in the appropriate format.

Editors should also be aware that Cardiff University Press will be 100% 
open access. There will be no charges. It will be ‘free in and free 
out’. Authors will publish for free and journals will be accessible for 
free. There will be no charges, explicit or hidden.

The editorial board will meet again in February 2015 to assess applications.

Journal editors and potential editors should approach Dr Paul Bowman 
((BowmanP /at/ cardiff.ac.uk) <mailto:(BowmanP /at/ cardiff.ac.uk)>) in the first 
instance to submit an application or to discuss this possibility.