University of Alberta Press, established in 1969, has an ambitious development plan under Director and Publisher Douglas Hildebrand. A key step is the creation of a second Acquisitions Editor position, with Mat Buntin starting in that role on April 1, 2019.
“Mat will be responsible for increasing our annual scholarly title output, especially in the social sciences. He will be working to broaden our reach from his home office in Guelph, a short distance to several large universities in the Toronto area and southwestern Ontario,” noted Hildebrand. “The Press aims to build capacity across disciplines to compete for the best manuscripts by top scholars. Mat’s recruitment into this position lays the groundwork for the Press’s sustainability and success for years to come.”
Buntin says, “I am passionate about the role university presses play in amplifying scholarship to promote civic engagement, spur social change, and inform evidence-based policy. University of Alberta Press has embraced a bold vision for its next 50 years, and I am honoured to be joining the Press team to help share that vision with authors and readers.”
Dr. Dale Askey, Vice-Provost & Chief Librarian at the University of Alberta, stated that “Mat Buntin is known for his ability to engage with scholars, activists, and social justice communities. His desire to bring intersectional, Indigenous, and feminist perspectives to wider audiences is timely and matches the editorial direction of the Press. We look forward to his work, helping the Press grow and continue to make substantive contributions to our institution’s mission, its national and international reputation, and the impact of its research and teaching.”
Buntin was an Acquisitions Editor with the Higher Education team at University of Toronto Press and previously served in sales and marketing roles with both UTP and Broadview Press.