Imagine posting your book manuscript on the Internet for strangers to offer line-by-line critiques. Now imagine that you apply for tenure by submitting your e-book, along with selected critiques, to your department. Is this the wave of the academic future or simply the latest tech fad?
Researchers at the Institute for the Future of the Book say the networked e-book is ideal for scholarship: a dynamic site of conversation that allows scholars to share and develop knowledge even if their work might not sell enough copies to satisfy a traditional book publisher (See this week’s cover story in The Chronicle). Do certain fields of scholarship lend themselves to that format, or could it be appropriate for any? What are the pros and cons of opening up the traditionally anonymous peer-review process? Will open-review e-books ever get past tenure-review committees?
The Chronicle will host a live chat with the research director at the institute, Robert Stein, this Wednesday, July 26, at 12 noon, U.S. Eastern time. Submit questions in advance or during the event. A transcript will be posted immediately following.
