FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Press has promoted David Scott Cunningham to the position of senior editor. His primary role will be to lead acquisition efforts in civil rights, southern history, Arkansas history and culture, and all areas serving the press’ mission to serve both the broader academic community, Arkansas and the region.

Cunningham joined the press seven years ago as a project editor and then served as assistant managing editor. In his former role he was responsible for taking manuscripts from the point of acquisition through the finished book, working closely with authors, freelance editors and designers, and printers. He was also instrumental in developing the press’ capacities in electronic books and in creating new systems affecting the press’ overall operations.

Cunningham began bringing in new titles prior to his promotion and last year started to work solely as an acquirer of new content.

“David Scott’s experience at the press sets him up to be a successful editor,” said Mike Bieker, director of the press. “His active involvement and enthusiastic interest in all we do has been remarkably broad, and his specific background in editorial and production gives him extensive experience in working with authors and project management. In addition to his good rapport with faculty and others in the academic community, David Scott’s methodical approach, efficiency and responsiveness are major advantages in this new role.”

Cunningham will also work closely with the group of editors responsible for the press’ various series in food studies, sports studies, the Civil War, and the prestigious Miller Williams Poetry Series edited by Billy Collins. In addition he will work with journal editors and editors contributing through both new and longstanding partnerships, such as the UA Press collaboration with the Fay Jones School of Architecture.

“It’s very exciting to take on this new role, especially now,” Cunningham said. “The press is focused on publishing great books in service to our mission, and I’m honored to be at the center of the effort to find and cultivate these projects.”

Cunningham holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hendrix College. Before joining the press as a project editor in 2007, he held a research fellowship with the Thomas J. Watson Foundation and ran an editorial and design business specializing in book-publishing services.

The University of Arkansas Press, founded in 1980, is an academic publishing house that is part of the University of Arkansas. A member of the Association of American University Presses, it has as its central and continuing mission the publication of books that serve both the broader academic community and Arkansas and the region.