English and creative writing faculty member Erik Wade is an advisory board member and initial contributor to Public Humanities, a major new international journal recently launched from Cambridge University Press.
An open access journal, Public Humanities features a range of stories spanning the humanities, including “King Alfred and the Opening of the Medieval Mind: A Cautionary Tale” in the inaugural edition.
The article examines “the medieval and modern history of scholars working with the public,” dating back to King Alfred of England’s attempt in the ninth century to provide translations of texts to create an early and selective England literary canon, Wade said.
“I am on the advisory board, so I peer review articles, offer suggestions and try to guide potential contributors towards the journal,” Wade said.
Accessible publication
Anyone can read the articles published on Public Humanities, as publishers feel it is important to give all groups of people access to the article.
“There are many ways to get involved with the journal that has editors and writers across the globe,” Wade explained. “You can submit an article to one of their calls for papers, propose a special issue of the journal on a particular topic, or write a short ‘Of the Moment’ piece about a contemporary issue. The online nature of the journal means that it's able to publish a lot faster.”
Wade noted the emergence of the journal is very timely.
“I think that public humanities –- whether this journal or in general –- are vital right now,” Wade said. “History, critical thinking, art, storytelling, preserving local histories, encouraging humanity -– these are crucial to being fully informed and responsible citizens, and they build communities.”
Wade encourages that community building part, noting that throughout history, universities were often seen as “elitist,” while barring “marginalized people from taking part.”
“It's a reminder that universities are important to society and that society is important to universities,” Wade said. “A university that doesn't connect to its community is poorer for it.”
Visit the Public Humanities journal online to access a variety of articles and to learn more.
–- Written by Gianna Cowell of the Class of 2026