UNBC Professors Pen New Book on Northern BC
Prince George, B.C. – A new book focusing on the effects of globalization on northern, B.C., is about to hit book stands.
Titled “Resource Communities in a Globalizing Region,” the book is a collaboration of six University of Northern British Columbia professors from anthropology, economics and political science.
The book tackles a number of pertinent issues facing the region, including the changing economy, it’s evolving trade relations with Asian nations, and how area residents are working to exert control over development in the region, including First Nations.
Co-editor and political science professor Dr. Gary Wilson says the book’s focus on rural regions instead of major cities is something quite unique.
“Not many people are talking about how globalization is impacting the smaller places like Prince George or communities across northern, B.C.,” he says.
“That was really our aim, to look at how northern B.C. as a region is globalizing, how it’s integrated into the global economy and how that’s changing as a result of things sometimes not under our control.”
And because of the diverse nature of the area, he says the effects of globalization vary depending on which community you’re talking about.
For example the port development in Prince Rupert which has grown in size over the last number of years creating employment and economic activity on the north coast.
“Which has also had an impact in places like Prince George with the development of the inland port here and all of the goods that are coming through Prince George,” says Wilson.
“On the other hand, there’s lots of smaller communities along the corridor connecting Prince Rupert and Prince George that maybe aren’t seeing the benefits of that port development in the same way.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the book (published by UBC Press) an official launch has been scheduled for this Thursday at UNBC from 4-5:30 p.m. in Room 10-4044.
Editor’s Note:
Since this story was published, there were many comments questioning where the royalty payments would go. We have received this note from the book’s co author, Gary Wilson, and hope it will clarify the issue:
“First, academics rarely make a lot money on the books they publish.
It’s not why we write them. We write them to disseminate the important research we do and to gain tenure and promotion through the ranks – we are judged mainly on our publication record, not our teaching or service record. Second, and more importantly in the case of this book, all the royalties will go to a special fund that has been set up at the UNBC in memory of one of our collaborators, Jim McDonald (The James (Jim) McDonald Memorial Fund). Jim passed away in February 2015, shortly after the final proofs of the book were submitted to the publisher, UBC Press.”
Gary N. Wilson, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Political Science
University of Northern British Columbia
Comments
So, if this book sells, and sells at a level where it is profitable, will the profits belong to UNBC, or will they go into the Professor’s pockets?
The royalties for books published by university faculty almost always go to the faculty member, not the university. Academic publications that make any money are, however, rare. Books that generate significant income are almost always widely used elementary textbooks or books for a popular audience published by major publishers. CNC Press, for example, does not pay royalties on any of its publications.
(Revenues from patents by university faculty are typically shared.)
There it is. The reason I swore off of reading comments on this site 12 months ago. Thanks Hart Guy (renowned author).
Gee Grover, I thought that I was asking a legitimate question! If these Professors are writing a book on University “time”, then it would seem to me that the book and it’s property should be the property of the University!
Billposer suggests otherwise!
I was asking the question because as a taxpayer, my tax dollars support the University and it’s Professors. If they are doing work while on the taxpayer’s dime, then the profits should go towards paying their salaries and not to lining their pockets.
I’m curious as to why you might take issue with my question! Perhaps you can enlighten me although I’m not sure if you will read my response, as perhaps you have now swore off reading comments for the next 12 months!
While it is true that the University (taxpayer) does pay the professor’s salary, there is nothing in the professor’s appointment or assigned duties that says that they write books as part of their workload. So, as long as the professor fulfills their assigned duties (usually teaching and research), what they do on their own time is much their own affair.
Some of the comments seem to suggest that the taxpayer owns public employees 24/7. Not so! Or am I missing something.
O M G !!! Are they talking about making the book into a Movie!!
George Clooney as Mayor Hall….
I agree with Hart Guy. Grover’s comment does not make a lot of sense. What am I missing???
I think it likely they’d be doing the book writing on their own time, not during the hours they’re being employed by the University to teach. Their positions with the University may give them some free ‘advertising’, though, so to speak, as ‘educated’ people who supposedly know something about the subject they’re writing on. Of course if they worked for the Federal government, as ‘scientists’, say, and wrote a fictional account of a future world suffering great hardship from human caused global warming, and inferred that their position gave them some special insight when it really didn’t, one could easily see the government wanting to set the record straight. Even though that’s supposed to be called ‘muzzling’, according to some people.
Will it be formatted for e- books ?
Good question. Many authors these days do distribute via e-book in addition to traditional printing; may increase readership as it is immediately available on the web usually for a lower cost and is environmentally friendly. Perhaps check with the author.
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