Social Development Issues (SDI), ICSD’s online peer-reviewed journal, is entering an important new phase. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Northern Michigan University (NMU) to host the journal through NMU Library Services on a library platform with Elsevier Press.
This development follows a lengthy process of discussion, legal review and formal approval at NMU. The transition marks an important step in strengthening the journal’s digital infrastructure and ensuring more stable access to current and past issues of SDI. The new SDI web platform is being developed with attention to the requirements of indexing services in the future. All 48 volumes of the journal are expected to be moved to the NMU platform, and the new site will go live once this process has been completed. The transition will involve both recent and upcoming volumes as well as SDI’s full archive.
Philip Hong, editor and Alice Butterfield, Chairperson of SDI Board of Managers are working closely with Vikash Kumar, Karl Johnson and NMU library staff to coordinate the next steps. Philip, Alice, and Max Moon, SDI managing editor, are working with NMU Library Services and Elsevier Press to develop the SDI web platform.
Once completed, the move will also formally end ICSD’s previous relationship with MPS, and the existing MOU with the University of Georgia will be retired. In Fall 2026, Philip and Alice plan to travel to NMU to meet with administrators, library staff and faculty. A hybrid seminar on publishing, particularly in relation to SDI, is also being planned.
The SDI Board of Managers expressed its appreciation to Vikash Kumar for managing and facilitating this process over the past year. The new hosting arrangement represents a significant institutional development for SDI and for ICSD’s wider publication work.
Philip Hong, SDI Editor, and the SDI Board of Managers