Protecting Our Children: Understanding and Preventing Trauma, Abuse and Neglect in Early Childhood, by Elaine A. Zweig, PhD, Lin Moore, PhD, and Pamela Sawyer, PhD, has been written to assist teachers, childcare and education administrators, health care providers, social service workers, and all who work with young children to recognize and understand the abuse, neglect, and trauma of children. While the book is focused on educational interventions, it also provides information and ideas for professionals in child welfare and health care as well as anyone working with young children, contains practical ideas on working with families and children and information that should better inform their practice, and includes not only history and theory but also best practices in working with young children. There are forms and resources to help those who work with and teach young children.
An Interview with 2025 TAA Conference Keynote Speaker Gerald Friedland on the Future of AI and Textbook Publishing
What happens when a veteran mathematics textbook author and a leading AI scientist exchange ideas on the future of textbook publishing? In anticipation of his namesake keynote at TAA’s 2025 Virtual Textbook & Academic Authoring Conference, Michael Sullivan connected with Gerald Friedland—textbook author and AI Scientist at Amazon AWS—for a thoughtful conversation on artificial intelligence, authorship, and the evolving landscape of academic publishing. Friedland will expand on these ideas in his session, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Textbook Publishing: Opportunities and Challenges,” on Friday, June 6, from 9–10 a.m. ET.
2025 TAA Conference Bookstore Featured Book: ‘Engaging Citizenship’
Engaging Citizenship, by Lauren M. Balasco, Jennifer Forestal, and Claire Abernathy, introduces foundational concepts in political science through the lens of citizenship, democracy, and civic engagement, highlighting the relevance of the discipline to students’ lives and encouraging them to become engaged and empowered citizens. Engaging Citizenship offers a rich and balanced introduction to all four subfields of Political Science, in conversation with one another.
Dear Dr. Noelle: To Group or Not to Group
By Dr. Noelle Sterne
Q: Should I join a dissertation support group?
— On-the-Fence Joiner
A: “I couldn’t write. I’d be in the library, staring at the portrait of the bearded benefactor, and the time would just tick by. That’s when I decided to join the group.”
Maybe you’ve had similar “work” sessions. If so, consider joining a dissertation group. They can help you with many dissertation-related issues, especially if you’re feeling stuck or really afraid. A group may be the remedy.
Cengage Seeking to Engage with Authors Regarding New Digital Royalty Allocations Post-Lawsuit
By Kim Pawlak, TAA Executive Director
Following a $20.9 million settlement of a class action lawsuit over allegedly underpaid author royalties, Cengage is now seeking to engage with its authors regarding new Digital Royalty Allocations (DRA) of royalties from digital courseware relating to their titles. Catherine Schnurr, the publisher’s director of product strategy and operations, sent letters to Cengage authors in March, asking them to contact their Author Relations Managers to schedule a meeting to discuss how the publisher has calculated their DRA in the past and how they will calculate it going forward.
In the letter, Schnurr states: “Your active participation in this process is valued and will help ensure your voice is heard, and your past efforts and future contributions are recognized.” She also said that Cengage is “now focused on strengthening our close partnership with authors,” and “intends to be as transparent as possible” about past and future DRA calculations. She added that “depending on your individual circumstances, the new calculation could result in an increase or decrease to your DRA.”
Industry News Round-Up Week of 4/7/25
Stay updated on the latest news, advancements, and changes that are shaping the textbook and academic authoring industry with our bi-weekly Industry News Round-Up. Have an item to share? Email Sierra.Pawlak@TAAonline.net.
State-Imposed Tuition Freezes Come With Unintended Costs for Students (April 9, 2025)
IHEP Sues Over McMahon’s Cuts to Institute of Education Sciences (April 8, 2025)
Trump Admin. Funding Cuts Could Hit Efforts to Restore School Libraries (April 7, 2025)