Book author pilot series approved for fall 2019 start

A pilot program to celebrate books published by faculty members will debut in the fall under a collaboration with the UO Libraries, College of Arts and Sciences, Office of the Provost and President Michael H. Schill.

The UO Authors, Book Talks series will feature a book written by a faculty author for fall, winter and spring terms during the 2019-20 academic year. One author from the university will be selected each term to give a 30-minute presentation about his or her book, followed by a question-and-answer session and a reception at the UO Faculty Club in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

Adriene Lim, dean of the UO Libraries and Philip H. Knight Chair, and Carol Stabile, associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, initiated the series as a way to recognize significant research and acknowledge faculty members who have had books published.

“The publication of a book is a major achievement for authors at our university,” Lim said. “It represents significant investments of research, creativity, time and resources. This series serves as an additional opportunity to celebrate our authors and their works and to highlight the continuing value of long-form, immersive writing.”

The three authors and their books will be selected by an evaluation committee made up of representatives from UO Libraries, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Design and the Clark Honors College. If the pilot program is successful, in future years selection committee members will be drawn additionally from the School of Music and Dance, the School of Law, the Lundquist College of Business, the School of Journalism and Communication, and the College of Education.

To be eligible for the series, the authors must have their books published between Sept. 1, 2017, and Sept. 1, 2019. Also, books will be chosen if they have a potential interest beyond a single field. The evaluation committee will also consider awards received by the authors, along with book reviews, when making selections.

UO authors, their faculty colleagues and deans all can nominate books for consideration. Self-nominations are welcome but must be made in consultation with the department head or dean. Textbooks will not be considered for the series.

Take this survey to nominate an author. The deadline for nominations is April 8.

“I am pleased to support this effort that will showcase the work, the research and the commitment of our very own authors,” said Provost and Senior Vice President Jayanth Banavar. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our faculty’s scholarly work than providing the opportunity to engage with students, peers and the entire campus community over their books.”

All books and authors reviewed will be included in a comprehensive digital exhibit and highlighted on the UO Libraries’ website during the academic year, even if the authors are not selected as presenters.

For more information about the series or upcoming events, contact libadmin@uoregon.edu.

—By Jess Brown, University Communications