Credit: Hannah Lauber
University of Minnesota Press Director Douglas Armato announced he will retire at the end of December, concluding 27 years of influential leadership that transformed the Press's scholarly and digital profile.
Since 1998, Armato championed interdisciplinary scholarship, launching initiatives in fields like digital culture and Indigenous studies, establishing a scholarly journals program, and guiding influential series such as Posthumanities and Debates in the Digital Humanities. His tenure was also marked by robust stewardship of the Press's Test Division, which develops the globally-used MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) instruments, including the release of the updated MMPI-3 in 2020. Furthermore, Armato's commitment to digital innovation led to the digitization of the Press's full backlist and the co-creation of the widely adopted Manifold digital publishing platform, underscoring his modernization of the Press for the global research ecosystem.
Armato's tenure also significantly expanded the Press's reach by revitalizing its regional and translation publishing programs, leading to widespread recognition. The revitalized trade and regional programs expanded into areas like cookbooks and memoir, earning high honors including 24 Minnesota Book Awards and a James Beard Award for The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen. Simultaneously, Armato enhanced the Press’s international scholarly standing by leading its renowned translation program, acquiring works by major cultural and social theorists. As he steps down, Armato reflected on his time as an "incredible honor," noting the Press's unique position in combining global and regional strengths alongside significant research development.
A national search for the next director of the University of Minnesota Press is expected to begin in fall 2026. Associate Director Susan Doerr and Associate Director for Book Publishing Emily Hamilton will act as co-interim directors until the Press welcomes a new director.