Yale on Monday named Niko Pfund the next leader of Yale University Press.
Pfund, who comes to Yale from Oxford University Press, starts July 1. He succeeds John Donatich, who last year announced plans to retire. Donatich has led the Press since 2003.
“We have found in Niko a leader who prizes the time-honored tenets of rigorous scholarship and bold, future-oriented thinking in equal measure,” Yale President Maurie McInnis said in an announcement to members of the Yale community. “He brings with him an immersive understanding of scholarly publishing and serious non-fiction as well as a proven track record, with experience in broadening the mandate of an academic press while abiding closely by its vital mission of contributing to a global understanding of human affairs.
“Importantly to me,” the president continued, “he also has a sterling reputation as a wonderful colleague and has shepherded [Oxford University Press] with a focus on community-building and responsible stewardship.”
Founded in 1908, Yale University Press is one of the oldest and largest American university presses. With offices in New Haven and London, it annually publishes about 400 books across many subjects, from science, economics, and political science to history, religion, and literature. The Press is also one of the world’s foremost publishers in art and architecture.
Pfund has held a variety of roles at Oxford over the last two decades, and currently serves as its global academic publisher and president of its U.S. division. He previously was director and editor-in-chief of New York University Press, where he doubled its size and elevated its profile.
At Oxford, Pfund has overseen hundreds of colleagues across two offices in the United States, pursued fruitful and creative partnerships, expanded the Oxford Press’s distribution capabilities, and supported digital growth and innovative marketplace opportunities, McInnis wrote.
“He has had a hand in — and demonstrated a keen acumen for — all aspects of modern academic publishing,” she said.
Describing Pfund as “a deep believer in the power and impact of longform scholarship,” McInnis noted that he has additionally served as a mentor in publishing programs, including those affiliated with Oxford, Columbia, and Pace universities, Amherst College, and the Association of University Presses. And he has been an active member of numerous boards, including the governing board of Stanford University Press, the advisory board of the George Washington University Graduate Program in Publishing, and the board of directors of the Digital Public Library of America.
“Niko joins us at a time when our ambitions for Yale University Press are growing, as we seek to build on the strong groundwork [laid by] John Donatich,” McInnis wrote. “With his thoughtfulness and precision, Niko is well-equipped to help us realize these aims,” reaching new audiences among them.
Susan Gibbons, Yale’s vice provost for collections and scholarly communication and chief of staff to the president, said Pfund’s “earned reputation and deep experience as a publisher will be an incredible asset” to Yale Press and to “all of us who appreciate the work it does to illuminate our world.
“I have no doubt he will lead the Press with characteristic good will, a spirit of collaboration, and high aspirations for the future.”
Members of the search advisory committee for the director role underscored the breadth of Pfund’s experience and the promise he represents.
Committee chair David Wan ’76, who also chairs Yale Press’s board of governors, called Pfund a “distinguished, innovative, and highly respected leader in scholarly publishing” whose “strong passion for communicating ideas, combined with his proven dedication to excellence and innovation in scholarly and serious nonfiction publishing, is inspiring.
“We’re confident that, under his collaborative leadership, [Yale University Press] will not only sustain its mission but also broaden its reach and amplify its impact.”
Eeva-Liisa Pelkonen, a Yale School of Architecture professor and also a member of the search and publications committees, hailed Pfund’s experience working with and mentoring authors in a variety of fields. “He will energize the intellectual culture on and off the Yale campus for years to come,” she said.
Underscoring fellow search committee members, David Blight — Sterling Professor of History at Yale, publications committee member, and also a Press author — described Pfund as “a brilliant, innovative book editor and publisher with years of experience at the highest levels.
“He is a devoted book person in all the ways that matter and engaged with the constant changes of the digital age,” Blight said. “[Yale University Press] has landed a dynamic, talented person to lead [it] into its next decade. The search committee was thrilled he decided to take the position.”
Throughout the search process, McInnis said, “we were fortunate to receive feedback from many members of the Yale community, who had ideas and insights about the future of Yale University Press and the role that it can play in elevating longform scholarship in the public consciousness. The search advisory committee commended Niko as someone who not only echoed many of the recommendations we heard but also has the finesse and aptitude necessary to implement them.
“I am grateful to everyone who participated in this process and to the members of the search advisory committee… for their meticulousness and care. I also want to extend my profound gratitude to John Donatich, who has served this institution with distinction.”
Pfund underscored McInnis’ praise for the director he follows.
“Under John Donatich’s leadership these past 22 years, Yale University Press has consolidated its standing as one of our most influential university presses,” he said. “It is a great privilege to join this impressive institution, and I look forward to meeting my new colleagues and with members of the Yale community, and to all that lies ahead.”
