The Authority File Round-Up – April 2022

A quick overview of last month's episodes, in case you missed them

Posted on May 10, 2022 in Blog

Authority File graphic. Reads: "Conversations with thinkers shaping the future of academia"

One of our guests last month described her writing style as “telling it all crooked.” Combining her research, primary sources like newspaper articles or family interviews, and poetic devices and prose, she allowed the materials and her narrative voice to lead her latest title in nonlinear ways. In other words, flexibility was a guiding light on the journey to completing her work.

For the guests in our second series in April, flexibility also played a key role in developing a successful open publishing model. Listening to participating institutions, trying new initiatives, and adjusting outreach strategies all went into the process. For an institution not exactly known for its adaptability, higher education—in research and in publishing—has much to benefit from embracing openness, fluidity, and give. At least, last month’s guests would all agree.

Here’s a quick round-up of April’s episodes, in case you missed them. We hope you find the conversations informative, immersive, and useful. Thanks for listening!

Michelle Porter and the Métis Way

Michelle Porter, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto, studies the role of bison for the Métis people—a First Nations group of mixed indigenous and European ancestry in modern-day Canada. In this series, Michelle digs into her pursuit of arts-based research in the academy, her writing style and themes, and her latest book, a creative nonfiction memoir entitled Scratching River. Brought to you by Wilfrid Laurier University Press.

Episode one: Ancestry and Arts-Based Research

  • Michelle introduces herself, her research, and her family ancestry. How has her scholarship developed in tandem with her writing? Listen to episode one here.

Episode two: Genesis, Themes, and Healing Past Trauma

  • What was the genesis and thematic elements of Scratching River? How did the writing process help Michelle confront and heal from past trauma? Listen to episode two here.

Episode three: Writing Style, Voice, and “Telling It All Crooked”

  • Michelle discusses her writing style, a blend of poetry, research, and truth—creative nonfiction. What is the value in fusing these techniques together? What was Scratching River‘s editing process like? Listen to episode three here.

Episode four: Writing Structure, History, and Bibliographies

  • How does Michelle incorporate Métis techniques, themes, and history into her writing? What was Michelle’s approach to Scratching River‘s unique bibliography? Listen to episode four here.

Direct to Open Post-Launch

MIT Press returns to The Authority File to discuss the milestones and future of its library collective action model Direct to Open (D2O). Emily Farrell, Library Partnerships and Sales Lead at MIT Press, offers an inside look at library feedback and market forces. Curtis Brundy, Associate University Librarian at Iowa State University, shares his perspective on the value of open models and the continuing confluence of scholarly communication and collection development. Brought to you by MIT Press.

Episode one: Refreshers, Partnerships, and Catching Up

  • What are the lessons learned through D2O’s partnerships with institutions? What is the role of MIT Press’s advisory board? Listen to episode one here.

Episode two: The Institutional Perspective

  • What hurdles do smaller institutions face when choosing to participate in open publishing? What possibilities can libraries and publishers create through collaboration and mission alignment? Listen to episode two here.

Episode three: Market Forces and Publisher Challenges

  • What key factors concern publishers when considering open models? What about major challenges? Why is the introduction of new, innovative open solutions to the marketplace so important? Listen to episode three here.

Episode four: Consortia, Goals, and the Future of Open Models

  • What is the future of D2O in the second half of 2022? How can consortia help smaller institutions scale up? Where does the burden lie in advancing open publishing—with publishers, libraries, or both? Listen to episode four here.

Missed March’s episode? We’ve got you covered.

In March, ITHAKA Associate Vice President of Published Content John Lenahan discussed ITHAKA’s 10th anniversary of offering ebooks on JSTOR. John looked back at the progress of Books at JSTOR, in addition to highlighting the rise of e-content and the future of the program. You can find the episode here.

What’s Coming Up in May

This month, Robert Brinkmann, Professor of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment at Northern Illinois University, joins the program to talk sustainable living. Bob chats about his latest title Practical Sustainability: A Guide to a More Sustainable Life, changes to the environmental studies field, and current challenges to progressing sustainable environmental policies. You can find the first episode here.

You can find more episodes of the Authority File here on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for listening! See you next month.

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