The Stirling Centre for International Publishing and Communication was established in 1982, and has since developed a global reputation for its postgraduate degrees in publishing, its research activities, and its industry links. Focusing on book, magazine, journal and digital publishing, the Centre trains the publishers of the future, provides opportunities for those currently working in the industry to reflect on their professional practice, and through its research, critically analyses the past, present and future of publishing.
Taught Postgraduate Programmes in Publishing
Dedicated to the provision of publishing education, the Centre offers taught Masters level courses: the MLitt in Publishing Studies and the MRes in Publishing Studies. Alumni from these degrees have successfully found, or enhanced, their employment in a diverse range of publishing companies in the UK and around the world, with many now working at management level, leading the publishing industry in the 21st century.
Research
The Centre undertakes a range of staff and student research activities, including collaborations with industry, publishing-related organisations and other Universities. We welcome approaches from students wishing to study in the Centre for a PhD or MRes in Publishing Studies, either to explore current or future publishing practice in the UK and internationally, or to investigate aspects of the history of publishing.
Staff
All staff members teaching in the Centre have substantial experience working in publishing and publishing-related industries. Our experience ranges across several publishing market sectors, including trade, academic and educational publishing. The Centre staff is supplemented by a number of additional Visiting Speakers from the publishing industry, who come to share their knowledge and expertise with students.
Industry Advisory Board
Our Industry Advisory Board, which is made up of senior figures in the UK publishing industry (including some of our alumni), give us advice and support in terms of keeping our curriculum up-to-date, offering internships and – frequently – employment opportunities.
Industry Links
Through our own contacts, current and former students, our Industry Advisory Board and our Visiting Speakers, the Centre is excellently networked with the national and international publishing industries and publishing organisations. The Centre is a Network Member of Publishing Scotland.
School of Arts & Humanities, English Studies
The Centre is part of the Division of Literature and Languages in the School of Arts & Humanities and alongside the programmes in Publishing, a range of study options at undergraduate and postgraduate level is offered, including MLitts in Creative Writing, English Language and Linguistics, Modern Scottish Writing, Postcolonial Studies, Renaissance Studies and the Gothic Imagination, as well as opportunities for further research leading to a PhD.