UD Press appointment
January 04, 2017
Julia Oestreich named director of University of Delaware Press
The University of Delaware Press has announced the appointment of senior editor Julia Oestreich as its new director, effective Jan. 1, 2017.
The recipient of a doctorate in history from Temple University in 2011, Oestreich has worked in scholarly publishing for 10 years.
She began her career with the Jewish Publication Society, starting as an editorial and development assistant before being promoted to assistant editor. In her time there, she managed numerous projects including Outside the Bible, a three-volume collection of commentaries by over 70 authors on ancient Jewish biblical and post-biblical texts.
Oestreich came to the University of Delaware Press in October 2011 as managing editor, under the supervision of director Donald C. Mell, professor of English. When Mell retired after 17 years of leading the press in January 2016, Edward Larkin, professor of English, was named interim director.
“I am delighted that Julia has agreed to this expanded role at the UD Press,” said Trevor A. Dawes, vice provost for libraries and museums and May Morris University Librarian. “She brings exactly the type of experience and expertise needed to lead the press at this time.”
While Oestreich currently manages the acquisitions and editorial process for all manuscripts, she will expand her activities in acquisitions and marketing while overseeing the operations of the press and spearheading strategic planning.
She will also work in consultation with the press editorial board. Comprised of numerous University of Delaware faculty members, the board makes decisions on which projects to acquire and determines the direction of the press booklist.
Oestreich said, “I am privileged and excited to lead the University of Delaware Press and craft a vision for the press that will allow it to move forward as a vital partner of the library and as an asset to the University, providing innovative approaches to scholarly publishing and supporting scholarly communications and digital scholarship efforts, while continuing to serve as a publisher of high-quality scholarly monographs that bring prestige to the University, as well as to the press’s authors.”
The University of Delaware Press was established in 1922 and has become a preeminent publisher with particular strengths in the fields of literary studies, French literature and culture, and art history, as well as publishing books of regional interest. It publishes 15-20 books per year and is housed in the Morris Library.
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