The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 ACLS Open Access Book Prizes and Arcadia Open Access Publishing Awards. These prestigious awards, made possible by the support of Arcadia, have been established to acknowledge and commend authors and publishers who have produced exceptional, innovative, and open access humanities books between the years 2017 and 2022.
One of the winning books is “Freedom Seekers: Escaping from Slavery in Restoration London” by Simon P. Newman, published by the University of London Press in 2022. This groundbreaking work delves into the hidden world of seventeenth-century London, revealing the lives and stories of slaves in the heart of the British Empire. Newman’s meticulous research and engaging writing shed new light on the history of slavery in Britain and the Atlantic world, challenging the field to address critical and relevant themes that still resonate today.
Another remarkable winner is “As I Remember It: Teachings (ʔəms tɑʔɑw) from the Life of a Sliammon Elder” by Elsie Paul with Davis McKenzie, Paige Raibmon, and Harmony Johnson. Published by the University of British Columbia Press/RavenSpace in 2019, this multimodal book is a testament to the power of preserving language, culture, and traditions. It captures the wisdom and teachings of a Sliammon Elder, offering a glimpse into a lost world while acknowledging the impact of colonialism and racism. “As I Remember It” provides a truly authentic experience, allowing readers to engage with the heritage of the Sliammon community firsthand.
The winners were carefully selected by a distinguished panel of judges from a shortlist of five finalists. Each author will receive a cash award of $20,000, while the publishers will be granted $30,000 to support the immediate open access publication of at least two new books. These prizes, among the most significant in the realm of scholarly books, were announced at the ACLS Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD.
ACLS President Joy Connolly expressed pride in recognizing these exceptional authors and publishers, praising their dedication to open access that is reshaping the dissemination of scholarly knowledge. By making their books freely accessible, they are providing accurate research to communities worldwide, shedding light on topics that have often been marginalized in academic inquiry. ACLS looks forward to continuing its partnership with Arcadia to foster an ecosystem where humanistic publications flourish and reach a broader audience.
For over a century, ACLS has been committed to supporting the creation and dissemination of knowledge in the humanities and human endeavors. Initiatives like the ACLS Open Access Book Prizes play a vital role in cultivating a twenty-first-century environment where humanistic publications can thrive. Submissions for the 2025 ACLS Open Access Book Prizes and Arcadia Open Access Publishing Awards will open in May 2024. Stay updated on the prize and be notified when the competition opens by signing up for updates.
About the American Council of Learned Societies:
Founded a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 80 scholarly organizations. It is the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences, upholding the belief that knowledge is a public good. ACLS utilizes its endowment and $37 million annual operating budget to expand the forms, content, and flow of scholarly knowledge, embracing diversity and inclusivity. The organization collaborates with institutions, associations, and individuals to fortify the evolving infrastructure for scholarship, with a steadfast commitment to racial and social justice.
About Arcadia:
Arcadia is a charitable foundation dedicated to the protection of nature, preservation of cultural heritage, and promotion of open access to knowledge. Over the past two decades, Arcadia has donated more than $1.2 billion to organizations worldwide, championing causes that align with their mission.
Quotes from the judges:
History Judges:
“Freedom Seekers is an impeccably researched, persuasively argued, and masterfully presented examination of an obscure subculture in seventeenth-century London—the lives of slaves in the capital city of the British Empire. This book offers fresh insights into the deep-rooted history of slavery in Britain and the Atlantic world, challenging the field to confront important and complex issues that continue to resonate in today’s society.”
“Freedom Seekers: Escaping from Slavery in Restoration London is an immersive journey. Newman’s engaging writing style and the stories of the featured freedom-seekers will leave a lasting impact on readers. This book is a must-read for audiences from all walks of life.”
Multimodal Judges:
“As I Remember It is a compelling work that bridges the past and the future with grace. Its intellectual contributions are monumental, honoring and preserving a lost language, culture, and way of life. It acknowledges the devastating effects of colonialism and racism while steadfastly preserving and sharing precious heritage. This book provides an authentic and unmediated experience, making it accessible to both newcomers and established communities.”
“The protocol for respectful engagement outlined in As I Remember It underscores the significant role of community control in this remarkable archive. The team behind this digital monograph has prioritized the community while delivering a comprehensive intervention into our understanding of knowledge. It is a profound contribution.”
SOURCE: American Council of Learned Societies
The article announces the winners of the 2024 ACLS Open Access Book Prizes and Arcadia Open Access Publishing Awards. These awards recognize authors and publishers who have produced exceptional, innovative, and open access humanities books between 2017 and 2022. The winners were carefully selected from a shortlist of five finalists by a distinguished panel of judges.
One of the winning books is “Freedom Seekers: Escaping from Slavery in Restoration London” by Simon P. Newman. Published in 2022 by the University of London Press, this groundbreaking work delves into the hidden world of slaves in seventeenth-century London, shedding new light on the history of slavery in Britain and the Atlantic world. The book challenges the field to address critical and relevant themes and is praised for its meticulous research and engaging writing style.
Another remarkable winner is “As I Remember It: Teachings (ʔəms tɑʔɑw) from the Life of a Sliammon Elder” by Elsie Paul with Davis McKenzie, Paige Raibmon, and Harmony Johnson. Published in 2019 by the University of British Columbia Press/RavenSpace, this multimodal book captures the wisdom and teachings of a Sliammon Elder, preserving the language, culture, and traditions of the Sliammon community. The book offers an authentic experience and highlights the impact of colonialism and racism while acknowledging the importance of community control.
These authors and publishers will receive cash awards and grants to support the immediate open access publication of new books. The prizes, announced at the ACLS Annual Meeting, are among the most significant in the realm of scholarly books.
One key challenge associated with open access publishing is sustainability. While open access allows for wider dissemination of scholarly knowledge, it can be financially challenging for authors and publishers to make their work freely accessible. Funding from organizations like Arcadia plays a crucial role in supporting the open access publication of books.
In terms of market trends, open access publishing has been gaining momentum in recent years. With the increasing emphasis on accessibility and the democratization of knowledge, more authors and publishers are embracing open access as a means to reach a broader audience. Open access books also have the potential to generate more citations and impact, as they are freely available to researchers and the public.
However, there are still controversies associated with open access publishing. Some argue that the shift towards open access models may lead to a decline in traditional publishing revenue streams, impacting the sustainability of publishing houses and potentially reducing the number of available publications. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions surrounding the quality and peer review process of open access publications.
Overall, the ACLS Open Access Book Prizes and the Arcadia Open Access Publishing Awards recognize and promote the importance of open access in scholarly publishing. By making their books freely accessible, the winning authors and publishers contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and the advancement of their respective disciplines.
For more information about the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), visit their website at https://www.acls.org/.
To learn more about Arcadia and their dedication to open access, visit their website at https://www.arcadiafund.org.uk/.