As part of our blog post series looking at how Cambridge University Press works with Cambridge University, we explore the overall structural and financial relationship.

Cambridge University Press is a department of the University of Cambridge, linked by various connections to the central institution.

These include the Syndics, a group of senior academics who convene regularly to oversee and approve the Press’s new publishing and policies; the Press and Assessment Board, which governs both Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment; and a host of smaller, less formal, but no less important connections.

For example, regular contact between the Academic Publishing division of the Press and Cambridge University Library takes place to discuss various subjects such as Open Access policy, or joint ventures like the Cambridge Library Collection.

One very important characteristic of the relationship between the Press and its parent university is that Cambridge University Press is not financially supported by the University of Cambridge.  As a self-supporting entity, the Press must secure and maintain its own financial future. In fact, the Press gives back to the University and the University Library, including through the provision of academic books, journals and other content.

This is in marked contrast to many university presses around the world, which are financially subsidised to varying degrees, in order to provide a publishing profile for their parent institution (in case you were wondering, Oxford University Press is not subsidised by the University of Oxford).

Cambridge University Press was originally created in 1534 to provide printing and publishing services to the University, a role it has continued to the present, though printing is no longer provided in-house. The Press is widely recognised as the oldest publisher in the world.

Going forward, the Press continues to stay at the forefront of academic publishing, adopting the latest initiatives, experimenting with innovative products and business models, and embracing Open Access publishing through new business models and individual publications. It will continue to do this in close cooperation with its parent university.

You can find out more about how we work the university from our blog post series here.