Open access books published in July 2024
Posted on 1st August, 2024
Summer might have been a bit of a wash out (again!) but July has been a fertile month for new publications. In July we published a bumper crop of SIX new open access books, including the second publication from our new open access textbook programme!
First up was Newman University Church, Dublin: Architectural revivalism in the British Isles and the authority of form, which is a fascinating study of Dublin’s Newman University Church, situating it not only in terms of its connection to John Henry Newman’s views on and achievements in education, but also in terms of the overlooked significance of the church in relation to architectural revivalism. A must read for scholars of religious buildings and architectural history.
Another open access gem, Between Design and Making: Architecture and craftsmanship, 1630–1760 followed soon after. This exciting book re-evaluates the social and professional fabric that binds design to making, and the asymmetry that has emerged between architecture and craft. (If you enjoyed this one, you’ll also enjoy Enriching Architecture: Craft and its conservation in Anglo-Irish building production, 1660–1760 from some of the same team)
Next up was Methods and Methodologies in Heritage Studies, an essential textbook that offers succinct, easily accessible analyses of the disciplinary debates, intellectual legacies, and practical innovations that have led to understandings of heritage value today. Well worth a read if you are interested in research methods used in heritage studies.
Readers might also like to take a look at Collections Management as Critical Museum Practice. With a superstar cast of museum studies contributors, this open access book brings into focus the knowledges, value systems, ethics and workplace pragmatics that are the foundation of collections management. The book creates a critical dialogue about the underlying philosophies, values and ethics that determine what are and what might be acceptable collections practices.
The month ended with two titles that focus on the world of STEM. Generalism in Clinical Practice and Education outlines a generalist philosophy of practice that is brought to life through interleaved examples. Written by a range of international clinicians, patients and academics it seeks to inspire readers’ future engagement with generalism in practice and learning through sharing underpinning concepts, values and principle.
The second title, Belonging and Identity in STEM Higher Education, leading scholars, teachers, practitioners and students explore belonging and identity in STEM fields. STEM ways of thinking, such as those underpinning abstract and complex mathematics, can form the basis of new ways of conceptualising belonging for both staff and students.
As always, happy reading and stay safe!