Book Project Seeks Titles in ‘Futures and Technology’ Theme

The Campus Community Book Project is inviting nominations for titles that fit its 2027-28 theme, futures and technology. The chosen book will be part of a year of activities leading up to a visit by its author.

“Looking back on the previous 25 Book Project themes, ‘futures and technologies’ presents a new topic to explore, with strong alignment with the Book Project’s mission to highlight research, scholarship, leadership and impact at UC Davis and in our community,” said Megan Macklin, director of campus climate and inclusion initiatives in the Office of Campus and Community Relations. “This theme will allow us to examine developments like AI, press issues related to ethics, accessibility and privacy, and invite discussion across disciplines and genres — all while looking to the future with hope, possibility and the opportunity to influence a better tomorrow.”

Books should meet these criteria:

• Any published work that is still in print, including non-fiction, plays, novels, collections of short stories or essays
• Compelling and thought-provoking enough to engage the community in dialogue about contemporary controversial issues and to raise questions that have many possible answers
• Well-written, accessible and engaging to a general audience
• Short enough to be read within the time frame usually allotted for coursework
• Provocative and intriguing to as many members of the community as possible, to invite diverse participation and integration into discussion groups and courses across disciplines
• Written by someone who is still living
• Author is a guest to the university and is available to speak as part of the Mondavi Center’s speaker series

Nominations can be submitted by email through Sept. 9.

The selection committee, which recommends a final selection to university leadership, is also accepting new members. Mary Gallagher, assistant clinical professor in the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, said being a member of the committee is one of her favorite service activities of the year.

“When we read and assess books, we are attuned to making sure our final selection will engage a variety of audiences,” she said. “In addition to considering things like relevancy to the theme, book length, readability and interest to a broad audience with different lived experiences, we consider how a book might engage new audiences who have never participated in the Book Project before. The selection process allows us to thoughtfully consider what conversations our community needs to be having and then through the book, provides a platform to ignite those conversations.”