The academic year may have ended a few weeks ago, but for Kate Scarth, UPEI’s Chair in L.M. Montgomery Studies and Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture, it’s a busy and exciting time.  In addition to planning for next year’s Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture program courses, co-organizing an international L.M. Montgomery and Reading conference in June, and celebrating the 25th anniversary of the L.M. Montgomery Institute, she’s also been named managing editor of the newly-launched Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies.

“I think there's been a lot happening in the last little while,” she says. “There's a strong team to push all these projects forward for public engagement around Montgomery studies, and to support Montgomery enthusiasts here and internationally.”

The Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies is a refereed, open access digital publication, and will collect scholarship on all aspects of L.M. Montgomery’s life, influences, creative work, and legacy. 

“The journal is interdisciplinary, and we're looking for any submission on any aspect of Montgomery's life and work,” Scarth explains. “I think what's really exciting about this journal is it's not only going to feature academic essays, but because it's an online journal we want to make use of the online space, and highlight Montgomery's world to academics and enthusiasts.”

While the journal will feature traditional, peer-reviewed academic essays for scholars to use for tenure and promotion reasons, it’s also open to students, Montgomery admirers, and other non-traditional, non-academic audiences to submit other kinds of creative media for review.

“We're really open to any kind of submission and it'll be really interesting to see what people come up with,” Scarth says. “Materials including articles, videos, creative writing, and visual art like photography fit really well because Montgomery was a photographer herself.”

The L.M. Montgomery and Reading Conference provides additional opportunities for scholars and fans of Montgomery’s work to meet and continue to build a vibrant international community.

“The conference isn't purely academic, and brings together a lot of people and societies who are actively involved in Montgomery study,” she says. “Bringing the international community together at the conference, and the mentorship of young people interested in Montgomery's life are really important goals.” 

The Conference will also feature new awards in Montgomery scholarship, including an “early career award” for recent graduates and current students. The award includes an expedited submission review and publication in the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies.

“There's absolutely an opportunity for students to submit to the journal,” she says. “We're really committed to supporting students and it's something the Montgomery Institute's been doing all along.” Visit the L.M. Montgomery Institute website for more information about the journal, conference, and Montgomery community work.