Free Daily Podcast Summary
Scholarly Communication: Daily Summaries Delivered
by New Books Network
Discussions with those who work to disseminate research
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday34 min
University Press Week 2026 with President Stephanie Williams
Today I’m speaking with Stephanie Williams, Director of Wayne State University Press, and president of the Association of University Presses. Every year, NBN speaks with the president of AUPresses in anticipation of University Press Week. This year, press week will take place from November 9 through the 13th, with the theme: #PowerUP. To celebrate, I’m thrilled to speak with Stephanie Williams about all things UPs.University Press Week InfoCaleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 3 days ago47 min
Upskilling for Library Workers: A Guide for Future-Ready Professionals with Ann Medaille (ALA Editions, 2026)
Many of today's libraries and their workers are facing a skills crisis. By some estimates, an employee's current skills are only relevant for a maximum of five years, but other estimates put the longevity of current skills at only 18 months. Though it's crucial that library workers continuously upskill and reskill to keep up with technological changes, including those brought about by AI, libraries have limited time, budgets, and resources to devote to helping staff keep up. But as Ann Medaille demonstrates in Upskilling for Library Workers: A Guide for Future-Ready Professionals (ALA Editions, 2026, which draws on lessons learned from a three-year research project, it's still possible to adopt an inspiring, forward-thinking approach to upskilling, one that positions staff to succeed both now and in the future. Library administrators, managers, trainers, program leaders, branch heads, and staff members who work in public or academic libraries and are involved in learning or teaching new skills, or creating a skills strategy for their library, will discover why upskilling and reskilling are urgently needed by library workers to navigate information in the context of ever-changing technologies, and which skills are the most important; lessons that libraries can learn from the innovative approaches to workplace upskilling that are taking place in the corporate learning and development space; an incisive overview and analysis of learning initiatives currently underway at academic and public libraries in the United States and Canada; key concepts related to learning and instructional design; the four E's of upskilling (education, experiences, exposures, and environment) and where they fit into library workplace training and development; research-based guidance on facing such challenges as how to get started, knowing what skills to plan for in the future, deciding upon appropriate learning initiatives, motivating staff to continually learn, evaluating skill development initiatives, and confronting issues related to cost, time, and organizational culture; and hands-on strategies for the integration of upskilling into library work across a broad range of skill types and library applications, including suggested activities, reflection points, examples, and tips throughout the book.Guest: Ann Medaille is Professor/Director of Research and Instructional Services at the University of Nevada, Reno Libraries. She is also Editor-in-Chief for the journal Evidence Based Library and Information Practice and a faculty member of the Medical Library Association’s Research Training Institute. She holds a PhD in education and an MS in library science. She is the author of The Librarian's Guide to Learning Theory: Practical Applications in Library Settings. She is also co-author of Visual Literacy for Libraries: A Practical, Standards-Based Guide.Host: Dr. Michael LaMagna is a Professor of Library Services and served for ten years as the Information Literacy Program and Library Services Coordinator at Delaware County Community College. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 2 weeks ago52 min
No! The Art and Activism of Complaining
To be heard as complaining is not to be heard, writes Sara Ahmed. In No! The Art and Activism of Complaining, her sweeping exploration of complaint as a means of resistance, Sara Ahmed attunes her “feminist ear” to those who seek to challenge powerful institutions. She shows how complaints can unbury past complaints, getting them out of filing cabinets or from behind closed doors, allowing us to see institutions more clearly—how they work, and for whom they work.Where complaints live, how complaints are made, who receives them, who buries them and where—Sara Ahmed’s accessible, attentive writing brings to life the lessons learned from people knocking at closed doors, teaching us how to collectively resist the glacial weight of institutional power. This book inspires all of us to persist, to say “No!” and to build new collectivities that break down brick walls together.Guest: Sara Ahmed is an independent feminist scholar. She has published eleven books, including The Feminist Killjoy Handbook. She lives in Cambridgeshire, England.Host: Dr. Christina Gessler is an academic writing coach and editor. She is the producer of the Academic Life podcast and newsletter. Playlist for listeners:How We Show UpIndigenous D.C.We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black ResistanceWhat Might BeLiving ResistanceLeading Toward LiberationLeading From The MarginsThanks To LifeI Have Avenged AmericaBlack Boy Out Of TimeShoutin In The FireThe Names Of All the FlowersHands Up, Don't ShootThat LibrarianBook BanningWelcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! Please join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 300+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 2 weeks ago33 min
Designing Historical Games for Classrooms: A Practical Guide for Educators with Jeremiah McCall (Routledge, 2026)
Designing Historical Games for Classrooms: A Practical Guide for Educators (Routledge, 2026) is a complete introductory guide for designing analog games and interactive choice‑based historical texts for history classes. It is designed to support educators who want to design games or who want to guide and assess student game‑making projects in history class.The chapters in this book lead the educator designer through a range of topics, including the core features of historical games, the educational power of using historical games to study history, and the role of playing and designing analog games and choice‑based texts in the classroom. It also shows how to design historical analog games (such as boardgames, card games, roleplaying games, and choice-based historical text games designed with Twine) using the Historical ProblemSpace Framework as a practical design guide to structure, teach, guide, manage, and assess student‑designed historical game projects, both analog games and choice‑based texts. This book provides sample plans, guidelines, and rubrics for fully implementing student‑designed historical game projects, and detailed examples throughout this text—from tabletop and choice‑based text games—provide practical help for teachers and students.This applied guidebook will be essential reading for pre‑service and in‑service teachers of Social Studies and History Education. It is a guide for any educator who is looking to design historical games for classroom learning or have their students engage in the critical learning of historical game design.Rudolf Thomas Inderst (*1978) enjoys video games since the early 1980s. He received a master’s degree in political science, American cultural studies as well as contemporary and recent history from Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich and holds three PhDs in game studies (LMU Munich, University of Passau & University of Vechta). Currently, he's teaching as a professor for game design and game studies at the University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm HNU, Germany, holds the position as lead editor at the online journal TITEL kulturmagazin for the game section, and is editor of the weekly game research newsletter Game Studies Watchlist. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 3 weeks ago49 min
Refugees and Citizens in Twentieth-Century East Central Europe: An Unlikely Refuge? with Michal Frankl, Doina Anca Cretu and Lidia Zessin-Jurek (CEU Press, 2026)
In this episode of the CEU Press Podcast host Andrea Talabér talked to Michal Frankl, Doina Anca Cretu and Lidia Zessin-Jurek about the new edited volume Refugees and Citizens in Twentieth-Century East Central Europe: An Unlikely Refuge? We discussed the reception of the ERC-project the volume is based on at a time of heightened narratives about refugees and the place of Central and Eastern Europe in the scholarship, reflecting on the current relevance of the project.The Zotero bibliography for the project is openly available, please click here to access it.You can purchase a copy here. The book is also available Open Access here.The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books.Interested in CEU Press’s publications? Click here to find out more: here Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 3 weeks ago1h 20m
Working with Critical Realism: Stories of Methodological Encounters with Alpesh Maisuria and Grant Banfield (Routledge, 2022)
Working with Critical Realism: Stories of Methodological Encounters (Routledge, 2022) is an international and interdisciplinary collection that gathers stories from researchers and research students about their methodological encounters with critical realism. Whether the contributors are experienced or novice researchers, they are predominantly new to critical realism. For various reasons, as the contributors' detail, they have all been drawn to critical realism. It is well known that critical realism can be bewildering and even overwhelming to newcomers, especially to those unfamiliar with language of, and without a grounding in, philosophy. While there are now numerous and important introductory and applied critical realist texts that make critical realism more accessible to a broader audience, stories from newcomers have been absent - especially as part of a single collection. The significance and uniqueness of this collection lies in its documentation of first-hand reflective insights on the practical use and implementation of critical realism. The contributors feature critical realist inspired research journeys in Australia, England, Scotland, Belgium, Sweden, and Spain. The hope of this book is that the stories and accounts presented in it will inspire - or at least sufficiently arouse - the curiosity of others to explore critical realist possibilities, which we believe offer enormous value to serious researchers across and within all disciplines and subjects who are interested in rigorous intellectual work with a socially progressive purpose. Books and resources mentioned in the episodeCritical Realism Network —useful general hub with introductory materials, library, workshops, videos, interviews and links into the wider CR community, Roy Bhaskar, ed. Gary Hawke, The Order of Natural Necessity: A Kind of Introduction to Critical Realism Mervyn Hartwig, Up From Midnight: Fathoming the Depths of Reality with Ram Roy Bhaskar Andrew Collier, Critical Realism: An Introduction to Roy Bhaskar’s Philosophy Roy Bhaskar edited by Gary Hawke - The Order of Natural Necessity: A Kind of Introduction to Critical RealismGrant Banfield, Critical Realism for Marxist Sociology of Education Alpesh Maisuria, ed., Encyclopaedia of Marxism and Education Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Sep 28, 202648 min
Librarians as Researchers: Developing Our Scholarly Identities with Paul C. Campbell and Sarah Nagle
Librarians as Researchers: Developing Our Scholarly Identity (Bloomsbury, 2025) edited by Paul C. Campbell and Sarah Nagle is designed to empower librarians to develop their research skills and embrace their identities as scholars. Many librarians, particularly those in academic libraries, are expected to engage in research and scholarly output. However, unlike disciplinary faculty, most librarians have not completed a PhD program, and many have never designed or participated in original research upon embarking on their career. This edited volume provides inspiration and support for academic librarians looking to develop or refresh their research skills and develop their scholarly identities. The focus of this book is toward empowering librarians as researchers, rather than librarians supporting student or faculty research. This book provides a venue for librarians to share their knowledge on different aspects of research as well as build community for other librarians to actualize their own identities as researchers. The existing literature and research in the realm of librarian identity development often touches on librarian identities in the face of emerging technologies and new library types, or how librarians can support research at their institutions. However, there is a gap in the literature around librarians developing their own identities as researchers. Librarians have a unique role in the scholarly community; we often sacrifice our own research interests so that we can provide support and instruction to others, whether it be faculty, students, or the public. But the library world holds immense opportunity for developing and executing original research. Additionally, conducting research is beneficial to librarians' individual practice as well as the library community as a whole. This edited volume will provide guidance as well as actionable methods for librarians to develop foundational research philosophies, create communities of practice, and hone practical skills in a wide range of research areas.Guests: Paul C. Campbell is an Assistant Professor and the Social Science & Assessment Librarian at Kent State University Libraries. Sarah Nagle is the Creation and Innovation Services Librarian at Miami University in OhioHost: Dr. Michael LaMagna is a Professor of Library Services at Delaware County Community College. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Sep 21, 202647 min
Mary Beth Weber and Melissa De Fino, "Library Technical Services: Future Forward" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Library Technical Services: Future Forward (Bloomsbury, 2025) edited by Mary Beth Weber and Melissa De Fino looks at the future of technical services post-pandemic and at the brink of technological disruptions through a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility lens. Libraries have undergone a tremendous transformation that has been driven by multiple factors that include technological developments, and societal impacts such as declining college enrollment and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has introduced changes to how technical services professionals work and provide services. Whereas the library is often perceived by users as a building to house print books and journals, the reality is that the library encompasses both physical and virtual spaces. For many users, the library's online catalog and website are their first (and perhaps only) experience with the library. Our user community is global, and technical services work has evolved to serve users with a growing array of electronic resources, including e-books, databases, and e-journals. These resources differ from their print counterparts in that they cost more, require licenses and contracts that must continually need to be renegotiated and renewed, must comply with accessibility standards, and require different skill sets to catalog. The virtual spaces and services libraries provide are built on the foundation provided by technical services librarians. Assessment is an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of technical services work, and is addressed in this book. It is critical for collection development and acquisition of electronic resources. It is also an important component of the work of electronic resources librarians, who monitor usage and trends. Developing an appropriate skill set for technical services work is essential for success. This includes knowing the standards for the work performed, awareness of emerging standards, and remaining relevant.Guests: Mary Beth Weber is the inaugural Coordinator for Training and Mentorship for Rutgers University Libraries. In this capacity, she serves as an advisor to the Faculty Mentoring Program, collaborates with colleagues to identify, develop, and implement a continuous program of enrichment activities to meet the needs of the Libraries' personnel. She previously served as the Head of Central Technical Services for 2008-2025, and her new role is the result of a large-scale reorganization undertaken by Rutgers University Libraries. Weber has had a long career in technical services, overseeing both resource description and acquisitions, and collaborating with collection development librarians. She representedRutgers on the Big Ten Academic Alliance’s Heads of Cataloging Committee from 2014-2025. Other offices she has held include serving as editor-in-chief for Library Resources and Technical Services, one of ALA Core’s official journals, for nine years. In addition to three books she has published with Bloomsbury, she co-authored Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management, 5th edition, with Peggy Johnson. She may be contacted via her LinkedIn profile. She earned her MLS from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and earned my BA from Michigan State University, where I had a double major of English and Art History. Melissa De Fino is Team Lead for Cataloging and Metadata Services and Metadata Librarian for Special Collections and Audiovisual Materials at Rutgers University Libraries. She has worked at Rutgers for more than 20 years, beginning her career there as a Special Collections Cataloger. Her research focuses on the evolution of technical services librarianship. Melissa is the co-author, with Mary Beth, of Virtual Technical Services: A Handbook, has published several peer-reviewed articles, and served for five years as editor of the “Tech Services Online” column in Technical Services Quarterly. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science and an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Rutgers University, as well as a B.A. in English from Fordham University.Host: Dr. Michael LaMagna is a Professor of Library Services at Delaware County Community College. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advert
Get Scholarly Communication summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
New Books in Library Science
New Books Network
New Books in Women's History
New Books Network
New Books in Urban Studies
New Books Network
New Books in Sex, Sexuality, and Sex Work
Scholars discuss new research on sex, sexuality, and sex work with fellow experts in the field.
New Books in European Politics
New Books Network
New Books Network en español
New Books Network
Exchanges: A Cambridge UP Podcast
Discusses new books by Cambridge University Press authors through author interviews.
New Books in Human Rights
New Books Network
New Books in Turkish Studies
Scholars discuss their recently published research in Turkish studies with fellow experts.
New Books in Medieval History
New Books Network
Beyond the Margins: The University of California Press Podcast
Discussions with authors of books published by the University of California Press.
New Books in Ancient History
New Books Network
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Scholarly Communication in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Scholarly Communication daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Scholarly Communication as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Scholarly Communication podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Scholarly Communication product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by New Books Network.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Scholarly Communication release new episodes?
Scholarly Communication publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Scholarly Communication cover?
Scholarly Communication covers topics including Science, Education, Arts, Books. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Scholarly Communication summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.