LSE Press and the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) have entered into a new publishing partnership, which came into effect on 1 January 2024 and will see LSE Press publish the highly respected RGS-IBG book series from mid-2024 onwards, publishing up to four open access titles each year.
The RGS-IBG book series publishes work of the highest international standing, with an emphasis on distinctive new developments in human and physical geography. Reflecting the vibrant and diverse theoretical and empirical agendas that characterise contemporary geography, books in the series are expected to inform, challenge, and stimulate readers. The Society has published over 60 titles in the series since 2001.
Dr Ruth Craggs (King’s College London) will remain as series editor, supported by the series’ Editorial Board, and will open a call for new book proposals once the transition to LSE Press has been completed.
The move to LSE Press is in response to the changing publishing and funding landscapes in the UK and internationally. By publishing all titles fully open access, the series can reach a broader audience and achieve greater impact for research. Together, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and LSE Press are committed to creating a publishing programme that increases equity and diversity in scholarly publishing.
In line with UKRI’s new policy that requires long-form publications that acknowledge UKRI research funding to be published open access, it is expected that many books in the series will be eligible for funding from UKRI and equivalent bodies from 2024 onwards*. To ensure that all books in the series can be published open access, LSE Press and the Society will jointly provide funding for additional titles where necessary (up to two per year).
Professor Joe Smith, Director of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) “Monographs are a really vital element of the intellectual landscape. They allow scholars to build rich and cohesive accounts on a particular theme or question. The Society is proud to have such a long and distinguished body of texts and is now thrilled to have a new partner that will bring new opportunities for authors and for readers.”
Professor Susana Mourato, LSE Vice-President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research), said: “We are delighted to welcome the RGS-IBG book series to LSE Press. This move marks a significant chapter in the growth of LSE Press and a victory for Open Access publishing.
LSE is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and developing this new partnership to open up research within the field and provide a new open access publishing option for researchers.”
*Note: ‘UKRI updates guidance for open access policy’, 24 May 2023. https://www.ukri.org/news/ukri-updates-guidance-for-open-access-policy/
