Charles Watkinson has been named to the position of associate university librarian for publishing and director of the University of Michigan Press.
Watkinson, whose appointment began Tuesday, has extensive experience in scholarly publishing and in library publishing collaborations with both university presses and scholarly societies. He said he looks forward to the opportunities presented by his new role.
“The University of Michigan is the acknowledged leader in showing how libraries can meet the changing needs of scholarly communication and, in the process, create a more equitable and balanced system,” he said.
“Michigan Publishing combines the best of the university press tradition with an exciting range of publishing services geared to serve the emerging needs of scholars in the digital age.”
Most recently Watkinson served as director of Purdue University Press and head of scholarly publishing services in Purdue University Libraries. His previous positions include director of publications at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and general manager of the David Brown Book Co.
An important contributor to the international conversation about scholarly communications, Watkinson has served on the boards of directors of the Association of American University Presses and Society for Scholarly Publishing, and on the executive group of the Library Publishing Coalition project. He holds degrees from University of Cambridge and Oxford Brookes University.
James Hilton, university librarian and dean of libraries, said Watkinson “possesses a compelling vision for the mission and business of Michigan Publishing, both of which will ensure that our publishing operation continues to lead in this essential realm.”
