Who got that job?

Caroline Copeland, Lecturer in publishing, Napier University, Edinburgh
Job advertised: The Times Higher , November 5, 2004

Teaching publishing is a very specialised discipline, but Caroline Copeland, lecturer in publishing at Napier University, was astonished at the end of last year to be deciding between two jobs at opposite ends of the country.

"I chose Napier in the end for personal reasons," she said. "My children were at school in Edinburgh working for their exams and I didn't want to disturb them. I also felt I had a relationship with Napier because I did my undergraduate studies there."

After working in industry editing academic journals and freelancing, Ms Copeland researched publishing in the former Soviet bloc and markets in the Middle East. The scholarly efforts inspired her to return to academia.

"I decided to do a PhD on the history of publishing in 2002," she said.

"The kids were initially disparaging, but now I think they're quite proud of me. It was a big financial leap in the dark, but there was something that really drove me to do it."

Ms Copeland began lecturing in January and is now teaching first and fourth-year undergraduates and postgraduates. She is also responsible for pastoral care.

"This is a good time to be teaching publishing in Edinburgh because it has recently been designated a Unesco World City of Literature.

"My time in industry gives me a good idea about what industry needs me to teach and how the course should develop to boost the reputation of publishing at Napier."