Analyst for Global Outreach & Publishing Systems, Duke University Press
SSP is currently raising $500,000 through the Generations Fund to permanently endow the Fellowship, Mentoring, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. To demonstrate the impact of these important initiatives and why they are worthy of your support, we are interviewing past fellows about their program experience.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work?
I am a mid-career professional with over 17 years of experience in my overall line of work. I joined Duke University Press in 2016 after many productive years in my career in Poland and Turkey. At the Press, I work as a Global Outreach and Publishing Systems Analyst. In my daily work, I utilize content and data to support the dissemination of journals and collection content. I analyze systems and data, using various types of analytics and reporting tools/platforms to detect patterns, trends, and relationships that inform decision-making. I was awarded the Fellowship in 2019.
What inspired you to apply for the SSP Fellowship program?
I got inspired by one of the SSP members who received the Fellowship the year before me. She told me how—in many aspects—influential the fellowship was for her and her organization, especially the opportunity to participate in the annual meeting and serve on a committee.
What SSP activities have you been involved in since your Fellowship year?
I have been a member of SSP since 2017. Since 2019, which is my Fellowship year, I served as a member of the SSP Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee (previously SSP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee) and SSP Durham/Raleigh Regional Engagement Committee. Since 2022, I lead the Accessibility Working Group. I participated in the mentorship program. I am the author of two posts on the Scholarly Kitchen blog: “I Say Tom-ay-to, You Say Tom-ah-to”: Bias Against Non-Native English Speakers in Scholarly Communications and Bringing Diverse Perspectives into Scholarly Marketing and Communications: Calls to Action towards Global Outreach for Global Change
Did your Fellowship have an impact on your career? If so, what impact? What kinds of things did you learn? What surprised you?
The support system that the Fellowship offered, in the form of a cohort, mentors, deep learning, and networking opportunities, had a positive impact on advancing my professional career in the scholarly publishing industry. I sharpened my knowledge in the areas of my expertise and interests. I participated in multiple professional events (online and in-person). The Leadership Academy webinar series provided me with the opportunity to meet industry leaders and connect with them professionally.
What would you tell those considering applying for a Fellowship?
I suggest presenting and bringing your true authentic self when you apply and then during your Fellowship year. What you want to say and do should align with where your interests are. It may bleed beyond your line of responsibilities or even what your organization’s main focus is. Also, like in many aspects of life, you can get as much out of your Fellowship as you put into it. The Fellowship can provide you with access to support and a professional network to pursue your goals. Last but not least, don’t be a loner. Dedicate some time to getting to know people—who they are and their areas of expertise–and collaborate. Collaboration is crucial, not only because of mutual ownership of the project/tasks or shared accountability but most importantly because collaborations can support diversity and aid the understanding of varying perspectives on the same topic—which is critical in scholarly publishing.
What would you tell those organizations that support SSP Fellows about how their contributions are affecting issues in scholarly communications?
SSP is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Through the SSP Fellowship, which I personally found as a well-structured, professionally oriented, and inclusive program, the SSP recruits, develops, and supports diverse talent and future leadership. With the investments in the SSP’s support system, and this includes the Fellowship program, everyone in the scholarly publishing ecosystem gets the best chance to thrive.
You can support future fellows, like Kasia, with your charitable gift to the SSP Generations Fund.
Profile by SSP Member Heather Staines, Generations Fund Sub-Committee Member, Director of Community Engagement, and Senior Consultant at Delta Think
