Some news! As of Nov. 20, I’m no longer with the Chronicle of Higher Education. It’s been a good 10-year run, and I am forever grateful to have had the chance to dive deeply into humanities research, the digital humanities, libraryland, archives, and publishing/scholarly communication/open access.
Why am I leaving? I got a chance to be involved in another arena I care very much about: the natural world and conservation. This picture gives you a hint–and serves as a bridge between the job I’m leaving and the one I’m going to. As of Nov. 30, I’m going to be the director of PR for the American Bird Conservancy, a group that does fabulous work helping birds throughout the Americas. (ABC’s symbol is the ruby-throated hummingbird, one of my favorite birds–small and scrappy.) My job will be to help spread the word about that work.
I’m going to the birds–but not abandoning the humanities or libraries or publishing. I’ll still be thinking and writing about and commenting on them, as an independent writer for different publications, and in the longer-form writing that’s been on my mind and now needs to find its way to the page. There’s a novel that needs finishing, and some nonfiction projects that want developing. In the meantime, you can find me here, on Twitter, on my public Facebook page, on Instagram, on Tumblr….
So much social media, so little time–and a lot of great work ahead. In the meantime, do me and the birds a favor and check out ABC’s blog, Birdcalls, and their Twitter feed and Facebook page for cool avian news and photos and more.
Brian Croxall says
While I’ll comment on Twitter, it also seems most fitting to honor your writing by putting something brief here on this page. Your work in the Chronicle is something that I’ve always been able to count on. We are richer as a profession for having had your hand in the coverage you’ve done over the past 10 years. The birds are so lucky to get you!
Kathleen Fitzpatrick says
Hear, hear!
jenhoward says
I’m late saying thank you, Brian, but thank you! I am so much richer intellectually and personally for having had the chance to write about the kind of work you all do.
jenhoward says
Thanks, Kathleen!