I think the proliferation and acceptance of digital publication is the defining issue of higher education right now. We all know that libraries are cutting down on paper journals and paper books, and we also know that electronic books and journals are gaining acceptance. And yet, there is surprisingly little dialogue amongst most members of the academy about what this will mean. I would like to promote that dialogue, with an open discussion about the future of digital publications in the humanities. Some possible questions to get us started:

How can academic journals succeed using digital content? What are the financial implications of digital journals for institutions and libraries? How can we as producers and consumers of these journals guide the transition in ways that work best for our discipline?

What standards should be established for interactive books and journals to assure that reading does not turn into casual browsing/watching?

Are digital textbooks a better value for students? Or, is this format being pushed as an attempt to eliminate the used book market?

What are the challenges to maintaining high academic standards in a digital world?

My idea is for an open discussion, with each participant proposing a question that we discuss for a few minutes before moving on to the next question.

Best,

David Trowbridge