All entries for August 2024

Journal Server Upgrades for Future Developments

Writing about web page https://exchanges.warwick.ac.uk/index.php/exchanges/announcement/view/63

The week beginning 2^nd September sees changes to Exchanges server and potential brief downtime.

Due to a planned server migration for Exchanges, and the other Warwick University Press Journals, during the first week of September there is a possibility that access to the site may be restricted. While we’re awaiting an update to learn more about the exact timings – I suspect it won’t be across the entire week – I thought it was worth highlighting the issue for all our author and reader community.

Practically, what this means is that there may be periods of time during the week beginning 2^nd September when readers, reviewers and indeed editors (and myself) won’t be able to either login or access Exchanges. Our apologies in advance for any issues this creates, but as we’re out of term time our hope is that this is the least disruptive time to stage this work.

As it happens the reason behind this work is due to a migration of the servers on which all of the WUPJs are mounted, and an incoming new company who will be looking after hosting, maintaining and supporting the service. This is quite exciting to hear, as it looks like this opens up the potential for enabling future platform developments and improvements for the journal. We’ll be working with our colleagues in the University Library and other journal editors to explore this in the coming weeks, and doubtless I’ll have more to share on the subject once I have it.

In the meantime, our thanks for bearing with us as we go through this transitionary phase!

Gareth Johnson : 20 Aug 2024 11:35 |  Tags: Announcement Future IT Migration Platform Server Support Upgrades |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Research Culture Special Issue Goes Live

Writing about web page https://exchanges.warwick.ac.uk/index.php/exchanges/issue/view/99

August brings with it the biggest ever issue of Exchanges

I was writing my Linked.In post about the new issue of Exchanges, and I realised for once there was no hyperbole in what I was writing. I am most certainly genuinely thrilled to announce the culmination of 11 months of work with some fantastic authors and editors to bring our first ever Research Culture special issue to publication. You can read the issue with its 32 articles inspired by or drawn from the International Research Culture Conference (IRCC) 2023 here:

• https://exchanges.warwick.ac.uk/index.php/exchanges/issue/view/99
• (or once the DOI has fully registered - https://doi.org/10.31273/eirj.v11i3)

I am also not exaggerating when I say there are some very preeminent scholars, thinkers and practitioners represented in this issue, which makes it all the more exciting to have them in our pages. Working with the editors, and of course our issue partners at the National Centre for Research Culture (NCRC) at Warwick has been a lot of hard work, but mostly a very efficient process. While this is a HUGE issue (and achievement) it has by no means been the most challenging special issue to have worked on, and for that I am grateful.

While this publication marks the culmination of nearly a year of activity, I’m already in the early stages of preparing the way for the IRCC ’24 conference and the special issue which we’ll be producing from that too. Thankfully that issue will be 12 months from now, and I’ve around 4 or 5 other issues to support in the meantime (MRC@50 especially as that’s hopefully coming out next month). Will the next issue be as big – or as Prof Kita Sotaro (NCRC Director) suspects even bigger? I can’t say for sure right now, but going on my experiences with this one – it wouldn’t be much of surprise if it is!

Guess I’d best get recruiting some more associate editors soon then…

Naturally, my gracious thanks to the NCRC, all my editors and every single contributing author for their efforts!

Gareth Johnson : 08 Aug 2024 10:38 |  Tags: Announcement Culture Issue Publication Research Special |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Closing Time (Sort of)

Change is afoot for the Exchanges campus office

Closing time, one last call for alcohol, so finish your whiskey or beer. Closing time, you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. (Semisonic, Closing Time, 1998)

Yes, it has come to this – the Exchanges office is closing down. But before you all start wailing and gnashing your teeth, not to mention organising a quick whip around to buy me a leaving gift [1] I should point out…this is not actually the end.

What is happening though is over here in the IAS where Exchanges is currently based our wonderful department has rather become a victim of our own success. Over the next few months, we’ve got lots of exciting new research fellows coming to join us, and unsurprisingly campus office space is (as always) at a premium. Now, I’ve very much enjoyed my current office, which I moved into during September 2019 [2] – having a space on the main campus to call my own did lend a spot of prestige to the journal. It was easier to arrange to meet people in person too, as I didn’t have to worry about checking if my office mate was in or out – nor did people have to walk a looooong way to find me.

Naturally, not that long after the IAS had moved here to Zeeman the pandemic lockdowns began. As a consequence, I didn’t really see the inside of my office regularly again for a good 18 months. [3] Despite that for the past couple of years I’ve made regular pilgrimages to my office and hosted many people for publishing and educational discussions, so I’ll confess I will miss this place. But…this isn’t the end, merely a point of inflection.

Which is why, today, I’m surrounded by boxes, bits and pieces which are moving along with me (and Exchanges) just down the corridor. This is where I’ll now be office mates with my line manager and the IAS’ associate director – the estimable Dr Fiona Fisher. Personally, I couldn’t wish for a nicer and more supportive fellow office dweller, and I’m looking forward to a range of informative, interesting and possibly amusing conversations in the coming months.

Hence, after today – if you come looking to meet with me on campus – don’t visit my old room of Zeeman of C 0.10 – but instead come along and knock on C 0.05. You’ll be assured of a warm welcome – even if I’m not there – as Fiona always likes to say hello too!

And to close as I began, with Semisonic, and the reason I picked this song for this article.

Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end, yeah…

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Endnotes

[1] A new car would be nice, just saying.

[2] Before this I was sharing an office with a researcher over in Milburn House, on the Science Park.

[3] Being part time at Warwick, and with the pandemic it still feels like I’ve only just arrived here – despite it being the best part of 5 years ago since we transitioned here.

Gareth Johnson : 07 Aug 2024 10:30 |  Tags: Moves New Office Relocation |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem