Temple University Press

Temple University Press is a university press founded in 1969 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its founding mission, articulated by Temple University’s then-provost Gerald J. Mangone, was to enable faculty to publish research that would advance knowledge across the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. The press has developed a particular focus on Philadelphia, urban studies, and ethnic studies, while also participating in multi-institution collaborations to expand access to scholarly work. A founding member of the Association of University Presses, it applies a peer-review process overseen by an editorial board of faculty from Temple’s humanities and social science departments and deans.

Key facts

  • Country: United States
  • Founded: 1969
  • Headquarters: Philadelphia
  • Type: university press
  • Website: https://tupress.temple.edu/

Organisation and Leadership

Since 2010 the press has reported administratively to Temple University Libraries, operating as a unit within that structure. Mary Rose Muccie has served as Director of Temple University Press since 2014, simultaneously holding the role of Scholarly Communications Officer for Temple University Libraries. Aaron Javsicas has been editor-in-chief since 2016, responsible for the editorial program and acquiring titles in political science, urban studies, and the Philadelphia region.

The press’s physical address for submissions is 1900 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Internship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students are offered through the press as a way to build professional publishing skills.

Editorial Focus and Series

The press’s list spans the humanities and social sciences, with particular strength in urban studies, ethnic studies, and Philadelphia-centered subjects. It publishes the Pennsylvania History Series in partnership with the Pennsylvania Historical Association, launched in spring 2017, and a companion series with the Pennsylvania Political Science Association.

In 1991 the press launched its Asian American History and Culture series, founded by scholar Sucheng Chan. At the time of its founding, no other university press had a dedicated book series in the field.

The press also publishes the ethnic studies journal Kalfou, produced by the University of California Santa Barbara’s Center for Black Studies.

Philadelphia Partnerships

A consistent thread through the press’s catalog is its relationship with Philadelphia’s cultural institutions. Publication partnerships have been established with the Barnes Foundation, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Museum of the American Revolution.

The press has collaborated with Mural Arts Philadelphia on multiple books, including Philadelphia Murals and the Stories They Tell, its sequel More Philadelphia Murals and the Stories They Tell, and Philadelphia Mural Arts @ 30. For its spring/summer 2026 catalog, titles included Declaration House, The Mighty WMMR (an oral history of the Philadelphia classic rock station), and Asian Ameritopias.

Multi-Press Collaborations

The press participated in the American Literatures Initiative, a five-press collaboration with New York University Press, Fordham University Press, Rutgers University Press, and the University of Virginia Press. That effort was supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and aimed to expand publishing in literary studies.

In 2018 Temple University Libraries launched its Center for Scholarly Communication and Open Publishing, after which the Libraries and Press began developing new approaches to sharing scholarly output.

Open Access and Digital Initiatives

In 2017 Temple University Press and Temple University Libraries received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities under the Humanities Open Book Program. The grant was awarded to make 25 to 30 out-of-print labor studies titles freely available online.

The final count exceeded the original target. As of October 1, 2019, all 32 digitised labor studies titles were freely available on the Temple University Press website, readable online or downloadable in EPUB, PDF, and MOBI formats, with open-access availability also provided through JSTOR and Project MUSE.

Did you know

  • In January 2005 the press published its first children’s book, P Is for Philadelphia, a 64-page alphabetic tour of the city. The illustrations were produced by Philadelphia public school children who had entered a city-wide drawing contest. (tupress.temple.edu)
  • When Temple University Press published Asian American Literature: An Introduction to the Writings and Their Social Context by Elaine Kim in 1982, it was the first full-length study of Asian American literature, helping to establish the field as a legitimate area of academic inquiry. (now.temple.edu)
  • The press published Silent Gesture: The Autobiography of Tommie Smith in 2008. The book recounts Smith’s experience of performing the Black Power salute on the medal podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics. (now.temple.edu)
  • In 2001 the addition of Larry Kane’s Philadelphia to Temple University Libraries’ collections marked that institution’s two-millionth volume. The book had been published by the university’s own press. (library.temple.edu)
  • The 32 labor studies titles made freely available through the NEH-funded open-access collection were adopted as course reading material by students in a graduate labor and employment relations program at Rutgers University. (templepress.wordpress.com)

Data sources

Data updated: 2026-10-27