Unisa Press Overview

Unisa Press operates under the University of South Africa’s Vice-Principal for Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation, and Commercialisation. The Portfolio is home to five business units:

• Unisa Press
• Department of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (DRIC)
• Library and Information Services (LIS)
• College of Graduate Studies (CGS)
• Inhlanyelo Hub 

Our Services

The core mission of Unisa Press is to publish scholarly and academic works that contribute to knowledge generation and dissemination.

Publishing Books

We publish peer-reviewed academic and scholarly books annually, ensuring rigorous screening through Unisa’s Senate Publications Committee.

Hybrid Publishing

Unisa Press adopts a hybrid publishing model, supporting both open access and traditional publishing. We accept and publish: 

• UNISA Preprint Platform: Operating as a preprint repository, with open peer review, the entire publishing process.
• Open Access books and journals
• Selected open access articles within subscription-based journals

Publishing Journals

We publish peer-reviewed academic and scholarly journals each year, with quality assurance through Unisa’s Journals Subcommittee, employing blind peer review.

Other Publishing Services

To broaden our offerings and innovate within the publishing landscape, Unisa Press provides additional services such as:

• Preparation of print-ready files for books and eBooks
• Distribution services catering to non-fiction, scholarly self-publishers, making use of our strong relationships with strategic distribution partners.

Vision

• To publish and disseminate excellent research
• To find innovative solutions in an evolving publishing environment
• To deliver sustainable service

Mission

• To publish and share research and knowledge with integrity, quality, rigor, and ethics
• To foster an institutional ethos that promotes critical discourse, intellectual curiosity, tolerance, and diverse perspectives
• To develop efficient publication channels aligned with current global trends
• To build collaborative relationships with stakeholders, aiming for greater reach and financial sustainability

Publishing model

Unisa Press operates within a traditional university press framework:

• The Senate Publications Committee oversees publication acceptance and the peer review process to maintain quality standards.
• We publish independent scholarly and academic books and have expanded into the broader specialist books market, including commissioned works, co-publications, publishing services, open access, and hybrid models.
• We publish both accredited and non-accredited academic journals across diverse disciplines, including art history, architecture, psychology, sociology, and African studies, with a focus on UNISA Catalytic Niche Areas.