Witherby Publishing Group with Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Stirling launch a new Publishing Scholarship
7 July 2020
Witherby Publishing Group, the Postgraduate
Publishing Programmes at Edinburgh Napier University and the Centre
for International Publishing and Communication at the University of
Stirling are delighted to announce the launch of two Publishing
Scholarships for the academic year 2020-21.
The Witherby Publishing Group Scholarship has
been established to support individuals from under-represented or
disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake a postgraduate degree in
Publishing.
The Scholarship recipients will each receive a £3,000 payment
towards their tuition fees for the degree of MSc Publishing
(Edinburgh Napier) or MLitt Publishing Studies
(Stirling). Each Scholarship also provides a publishing
placement with Witherbys.
The Witherby Publishing Group Scholarship has been a year in the
planning. Conceived at the 50th Anniversary of Publishing at
Edinburgh Napier in June 2019, Witherbys generously stepped forward
as funder. Edinburgh Napier and Stirling are the only two
universities in Scotland offering Publishing at Postgraduate level
and so, in the spirit of diversity, equitability and inclusion, the
Scholarships are being offered at both universities.
Iain Macneil, Witherby Publishing Group's CEO,
commented: 'Witherbys is dedicated to supporting the future of
publishing in Scotland and offering financial support to students
aligns with the strong sense of community and social responsibility
that is at the heart of Witherbys. We are looking forward to
assisting students in achieving their academic qualifications and
providing vital experience in the publishing industry.'
Avril Gray, Associate Professor of Publishing &
Publishing Programme Director at Edinburgh Napier
University said: 'MSc Publishing are thrilled to
offer this new Scholarship. The idea was one I've had for a long
time and I'm enormously grateful to Witherbys for their generosity
in providing placements at both universities offering Publishing in
Scotland. Witherbys has been our industry partner for many years,
providing placements and guest lectures, and employing many of our
alumni, notably Gillian Macrosson, Managing Director, and
co-ordinator of the Scholarship at Witherbys. I'm truly delighted
that the Witherby Publishing Group Scholarshipwill help individuals
who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to undertake a
postgraduate degree. At Edinburgh Napier University we are
committed to the principle of fairness in access to higher
education, and to promoting inclusivity and diversity at all levels
of Publishing.'
Frances Sessford, Programme Director for the MLitt
Publishing Studies at the University of Stirling
said: 'Stirling Centre for International Publishing &
Communication is delighted to work with Witherbys in its aim to
increase diversity and inclusivity in the workforce. This
initiative further enhances the already strong links between the
industry and our publishing programmes.'
Full details of the Scholarships and Publishing programmes can
be found at these links:
About the Witherby Publishing Group:
Witherbys is one of Scotland's largest and most
successful publishing houses, with a portfolio of over 400
specialist titles that are exported to over 110 countries.
Established in 1740, Witherbys has long been involved in the
maritime industry. In 2008, when the company was bought by
Seamanship International from the Witherby family, the name was
changed to the Witherby Publishing Group and the company was
brought, in its entirety, to Scotland. Twelve years later, having
grown the company tenfold, Witherbys is now one of the largest
providers of regulatory and guidance materials to the marine
industry. Witherbys is a privately owned company.
About MSc Publishing at Edinburgh Napier
University:
Edinburgh Napier University's MSc Publishing programme leads the
field in industry-specific training. It was the first and only
publishing course to be accredited by the Professional Publisher's
Association and is the only Publishing degree in the UK to be
doubly accredited.
Celebrating over 50 years as a Centre of Excellence in
Publishing Education, MSc Publishing at Edinburgh Napier provides
an academically rigorous understanding of the publishing industry
in an international context, including traditional book and
magazine publishing, digital publishing, commercial and corporate
publishing. Our in-house publishing imprint, Merchiston Publishing,
offers students real-life publishing experience, and our work with
the Third Sector, with schools, libraries and literary
organisations has been commended in the Scottish Parliament. The
Scottish Centre for the Book, also at Edinburgh Napier University,
acts as an international focus for research and knowledge transfer
in publishing.
About the Stirling Centre for International Publishing
and Communication:
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. The Centre trains the
publishers of the future and provides opportunities for those
currently working in the industry to reflect on their professional
practice.
The MLitt in Publishing Studies offers graduates in any
discipline a broad introduction to the publication process, focused
on printed books, journals, magazines and digital media, within an
international context. The programme covers the whole process of
planning, editing, production, marketing and publication
management. It is dedicated to teaching the best current publishing
practice, so programme content is updated each year as a result of
the rapid changes that are transforming the industry worldwide.
Students come from all over the world to study publishing at
Stirling and our graduates have successfully found employment in a
diverse range of publishing companies in the UK and around the
world, with many now working at management level.