Ray Siemens, Chair
May 2008
Discussion toward suggesting a strategy for publications that arise from the DH summer conference - one that will, to be most useful, formalize the practices that have evolved over the past several years and raise new possibilities to consider. A smaller group was formed, consisting of Marilyn, Julia, Gary, and myself. Here, we asked ourselves two questions:
[1] Do we want to draft a tentative policy statement formalizing recent practice involving coordination between the LLC conference volume and DHQ (and other ADHO-supported initiatives), or move in other directions?
[2]Should we consider other less-formal publications, like the conference websites and extensions thereof, or leave them at the discretion of year-by-year hosts as is the past?
For #2, we concluded that this was best left as-is, with the conference hosts. For #1, we had to put some aspects of the discussion on hold because we were unsure of how one of the other potential publications (Text Technology, which has served as the SDH/SEMI society journal for some time) might fit into the discussion. Until we know that, we note, the most important thing is that we ensure that the lines of communication opened last year between the editors of the LLC volume and DHQ with respect to select conference paper invitation/publication are open this year as well- communication that recognizes that each of the journals has significant, and unique, strengths that can help us determine which papers would be best suited where.
In 2007, a sub-Committee of the Publications Committee was formed to advise on publications standards and archiving of past abstracts. Initial discussions took place between John, Amit and Ray, specifically with reference to the conference/publications infrastructure (Conftool + the UVic pubs system we've been using), concluding temporarily with the understanding that we will await the results of how this has come together for DH2008. Here, especially, the ctte would like to thank Amit and John for their considerable investment of time in this matter.
A sub-ctte of the publications ctte was established to handle website issues, created in response to the steering ctte movement of the website into the purview of the publications ctte (2007).
we began discussing an issue first raised by Edward (see Appendix 2) relating to issues of standard bibliometric evaluation of DH journals, which is less optimal than it might be. We hope to continue to engage this.
ongoing consideration by LLC and DHQ of ‘scope' will continue to inform discussion (they are action items from last year's reports), as will publication results from the Illinois series, results of current ADHO-funded work being carried out with HUMANIST. This is anticipated to see greater treatment in 2008-2009. (See Appendix 1)
NOTE: The SDH/SEMI publications ctte report for 2007/8 recommends a course of action that will involve SDH/SEMI seeking an exit strategy from its relationship with TT (this course of action okay by its current editor), and establishing a journal that has similar complementarity to other ADHO publications, with multilingual emphasis (specifically English-French, but not exclusively so).
From the 2007 ADHO SC minutes
www.digitalhumanities.org/view/Adho/Adho_sc_2007_minutes:
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GR report received and discussed. Emphasis on new initiatives, but recommendation that we focus in the immediate future on consolidating current work rather than pursuing other new ventures.
In the report, GR indicated his wish to step down as Chair. The SC expressed its appreciation for the work of GR not only during the initial ADHO years, but in the period leading up to its establishment.
ADHO website: maintenance mostly done by Stefan Sinclair and JU. We may need to formalise the role somewhat.
AGREED: that responsibility for ADHO website should be made an explicit responsibility of the Chair of the Publications Committee.
AGREED: This would be more effective if modest funding were made available to support it. SC will propose to ALLC and ACH committees that $2,500 p.a. should be allocated as a maximum budget to be charged against if needed (a 'backstop budget').
ACTION: HS to put proposal to ALLC Committee; DH to ACH Council.
In MD absence, HS presented her report. This raised the question of the scope of the journal. There was general sympathy for broadening the scope, but no concern at core focus remaining 'literary and linguistic'. PT suggested there could usefully be a statement of scope at the front of the journal. Concensus that change should continue to be organic, possibly with extra issues being commissioned (and paid for by the associations). The SC thanked MD and her Associate Editors - Simon Horobin, Stefan Sinclair and Edward Vanhoutte - for their excellent work for the journal.
ACTION: MD to discuss scope statement with editorial team, and liaise with PT. The statement should not only describe the scope of LLC but the position of LLC within the wider ADHO constellation, including DHQ (see 8.3 below).
General trend of falling direct institutional subs but rising consortium subs. PT reiterated willingness of OUP to send promotional materials to conferences if given due notice. The SC thanked PT for her attendance at the conference and at the meeting, and for the attention she gives to LLC.
JF presented her report. First issue appeared in Apr 07. 2nd issue due in Jul 07.
Finances: development of technical infrastructure cost less than expected - mainly because of volunteer labour. Consequent unanticipated balance (c. $11k) likely to go on interface development.
Editors are pleased with progress, and the feedback from the community has been very positive.
Scope: recent discussion among DHQ editors; main responsibility is seen to be representing ADHO community to a wider audience who are not yet part of it.
AGREED: It is important to consolidate links between adho publications, e.g. by cross-advertising, cross-linkage, and a common statement of scope to appear in LLC and DHQ expressing wider ADHO publications strategy. Perhaps also composite ADHO flyers that advertise all adho publications.
ACTION: JF and DHQ editorial team to liaise with MD and LLC editorial team over statements of scope and other mechanisms to promote the range of ADHO publications.
The SC expressed its warm congratulations to JF and her Associate Editors - Wendell Piez and Melissa Terrass - for the high standards achieved and the excellent start they have made.
Humanist continues to thrive, with increased subscriber numbers. The SC expressed its thanks and appreciation to Willard McCarty for his continuing care of it.
RS reported. Two new titles accepted by the Press. Brief proposals and enquiries from a number of people; it seems the series will be an active one.
It may be worth clarifying the links between the series and the wider ADHO publications strategy. The SC suggested this could be discussed by RS and the new Chair of the Publications Committee when appointed.
The SC expressed its appreciation for the work RS and Susan Schreibman are doing.
<...>DH and HS reported that the ACH and ALLC committees respectively had endorsed all recommendations made by ADHO SC in Sat 2 June meeting:
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Chair: Ray Siemens Prop: JU Sec: HS Nem con
ACH: Gary Shawver
ALLC: Edward Vanhoutte
plus
LLC Editor (Marilyn Deegan)
DHQ Editor (Julia Flanders)
TT Editor (Geoffrey Rockwell)
Humanist Editor (Willard McCarty)
ACH web master (Elli Mylonas)
ALLC web master (Arianna Ciula/Paul Spence)
AGREED: to appoint a sub-Committee of the Publications Committee to
advise on publications standards and archiving of past abstracts:
ADHO SC: JU; RS (Co-Chairs)
ACH: Allen Renear; Gary Shawver; Matt Zimmerman
ALLC: Espen Ore; Melissa Terras; Edward Vanhoutte
SDH-SEMI: Stefan Sinclair