Brandeis University Press

What Brandeis University Press does

Brandeis University Press (BUP) is a nonprofit university press founded in 1971 and operated as part of Brandeis University, a private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts. The press publishes peer-reviewed academic and trade books across humanities, arts, and social sciences, organized into more than ten named series—including the Brandeis Library of Modern Jewish Thought, the Tauber Institute Series for the Study of European Jewry, the Mandel Lectures in the Humanities, the HBI Series on Jewish Women, the Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, and the Schusterman Series in Israel Studies—and roughly 25 subject areas ranging from Jewish studies and gender studies to nature/environment and New England regional history.

BUP's commercial model is the standard academic-press revenue mix: one-time sales of physical and digital editions directly through its own website, through the University of Chicago Press Distribution Center for wholesale to bookstores, and through library acquisitions. Books are priced in multiple formats, typically $18.95–$45 for paperbacks, $50–$160 for cloth, and $39.95–$44.95 for e-books. The press supplements book revenue with foundation grants (e.g., Martin J. Gross Family Foundation underwriting) and parent-institution support, and engages in standard marketing activities (seasonal catalogs, social media, email newsletter, holiday discount campaigns, and book reviews).

The press is actively publishing, with recent reissues timed to cultural moments (e.g., the film 'The Testament of Ann Lee' tied to its title on Mother Ann Lee) and a scheduled Fall 2026 release calendar. Its competitive positioning rests on brand association with Brandeis University, peer-review-driven content quality, and a niche specialization in Jewish studies, gender studies, and New England humanities. Distribution leverages third-party infrastructure (Chicago Distribution Center), and the press maintains a sub-brand imprint, the University Press of New England.

Name

Brandeis University Press

Legal name

Brandeis University Press

Website

https://brandeisuniversitypress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Brandeis University Press is a nonprofit university press founded in 1971 that publishes peer-reviewed academic and trade books in humanities, arts, and social sciences, serving scholars, students, and general readers primarily through its website, Chicago Distribution Center, and library channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313), Other Publishers (51319), Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Research Monographs & University Press Publishing (MPAJABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Sciences Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAD), Scholarly Society & Association Publishing (EDAGAFAK), Business, Economics & Management Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAF), Academic & Scholarly Journals Publishing (Peer-Reviewed) (MPAJABAC)

Keywords

• Academic book publishing
• Scholarly press books
• Peer-reviewed humanities
• University press catalog
• Jewish studies publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Waltham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Brandeis University Press generates revenue through the sale of peer-reviewed academic books, trade books, and scholarly publications across humanities, arts, and social sciences. Books are sold in multiple formats including cloth/paperback hardcover, paper, and e-book versions at varying price points ranging from approximately $18.95 to $160.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Brandeis University Press is a nonprofit university press that publishes peer-reviewed, critically acclaimed, and award-winning books for scholars, students, and general readers. Its catalog spans humanities, arts, and social sciences and is organized into multiple named book series, with titles issued in cloth, paper, and e-book formats distributed through direct online sales, wholesale, and library channels.

Product overview

Brandeis University Press is a nonprofit university press founded in 1971 that publishes peer-reviewed, critically acclaimed, award-winning books for scholars, students and engaged readers. The publishing program encompasses the core book catalog (including subject areas such as Anthropology, Architecture, Art, History, Jewish Studies, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Religion, Sociology, and Women's/Gender Studies), organized into multiple named book series (The Brandeis Library of Modern Jewish Thought, The Mandel Lectures, The Tauber Institute Series, The Schusterman Series in Israel Studies, Brandeis Series in Law and Society, HBI Series on Jewish Women, Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, and Brandeis Series on Gender, Culture, Religion, and Law), as well as subject-specific collections including Nature & Environment books and New England History publications. The press releases new editions of previously published works alongside original titles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• University Press of New England: An imprint of Brandeis University Press that published titles including 'The Future of Democracy' by Peter Levine

Products and services

• Brandeis University Press Book Catalog Peer-reviewed, critically acclaimed, and award-winning books for scholars, students, and engaged readers covering diverse subjects including art, politics, culture, history, gender, religion, philosophy, language, and literature, available in cloth, paper, and e-book formats.
• The Brandeis Library of Modern Jewish Thought Named book series focused on modern Jewish thought and intellectual history, sold to scholars, students, and general readers interested in Jewish intellectual history.
• The Tauber Institute Series for the Study of European Jewry Academic book series on European Jewish history and culture, targeted at scholars and students in Jewish studies.
• The Mandel Lectures in the Humanities Humanities lecture series published in book form, targeting readers interested in humanities scholarship.
• HBI Series on Jewish Women Book series focused on Jewish women's studies, gender, and culture, targeted at scholars and readers in gender studies.
• Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture, and Life Book series covering American Jewish history and culture, targeted at scholars and general readers.
• The Schusterman Series in Israel Studies Academic book series on Israel studies, sold to scholars, students, and libraries.
• Brandeis Series in Law and Society Book series focused on law and society topics, targeted at legal scholars and students.
• Nature and Environment Books Nature and environmental books including birdwatching guides and field guides to flora and fauna of the Northeastern United States, sold to general readers and outdoor enthusiasts.
• New England History Publications Books focusing on Boston and New England history, architecture, and community, sold to general readers and regional scholars.
• Mother Ann Lee: Morning Star of the Shakers (New Edition) New edition of the scholarly biography of Mother Ann Lee by Nardi Reeder Campion, sold to readers interested in religious history and Shaker studies.
• Village of the Dammed (Paperback Edition) Paperback edition of the book about a Connecticut town's fight against flooding and development, sold to general readers and New England history enthusiasts.
• Milk Money (Paperback Edition) Paperback edition of the book on the decline of the American dairy industry, with foreword by Senator Bernie Sanders, sold to general readers and policy-interested audiences.
• The Other Half: Forty Men Reveal Life After Fifty Companion volume to 'The Second Half' featuring interviews and portraits of men from around the world about life after fifty, sold to general readers.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• New Bedford Whaling MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2025Special exhibit showcasing David Badger's collection of coquilla nut snuff boxes and bottles as featured in the Brandeis University Press book 'Portraits in a Nutshell: The Art and History of Coquilla Nut Snuff Boxes and Bottles' edited by Donna S. Sanzone. The exhibit runs from September 20, 2025 through August 30, 2026 in the Scrimshaw Gallery Annex.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Columbia University Press: University press with a strong humanities and social science list, including significant Jewish studies and religion output. Directly comparable in series-driven monograph publishing and academic distribution.
• MIT Press: US university press known for scholarly and intellectual trade titles. Comparable as a university-affiliated nonprofit publisher combining academic rigor with broader reader reach, though more concentrated in science/technology-adjacent humanities.
• University of Chicago Press: Large US university press and BUP's wholesale distribution partner. Direct peer in publishing model, peer review, and subject coverage (humanities, social sciences, Jewish studies), and the closest operational comparison given the distribution relationship.
• Yale University Press: Major university press with a broad humanities, art, and Jewish studies list. Directly comparable in producing peer-reviewed scholarly monographs and high-design trade-adjacent titles aimed at both academic and general readers.
• Stanford University Press: Scholarly university press focused on humanities, social sciences, and law. Closely comparable in peer-reviewed monograph publishing, series-based catalog, and library/wholesale go-to-market.
• Princeton University Press: Top-tier US university press publishing humanities and social science scholarship with strong series franchises. Directly comparable in editorial selectivity, scholarly audience, and library/wholesale distribution model.
• Harvard University Press: Elite US university press publishing peer-reviewed scholarship in humanities, social sciences, and Jewish studies. Closely comparable in mission, peer-review model, series-based catalog, and library-oriented distribution; BUP's Tauber Institute and Jewish Studies series compete in the same acquisition and shelf-space pools.
• NYU Press: Mid-sized university press with a list spanning American studies, religion, gender studies, and Jewish studies. Directly comparable in subject mix, series-driven publishing, and academic library distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Cambridge University Press: Major global academic publisher with a deep humanities and social sciences list. Overlaps in peer-reviewed scholarly monographs and library distribution, but at a vastly larger scale and broader portfolio than BUP.
• Oxford University Press: Largest university press globally, with a far broader list and global distribution. Overlaps with BUP in humanities and Jewish studies but operates at materially greater scale and with a much wider portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BrandeisPress
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@brandeispress
• Facebookfacebook.com/BrandeisPress
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brandeis-university-press
• Instagraminstagram.com/brandeispress

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brandeis University Press