Published on April 23, 2026
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Lauren Young, librarian and instruction coordinator in Harwell G. Davis Library at Samford University, has been appointed general editor of the Books Division of Atla Open Press. Young was appointed to the Books Editorial Board in 2023 and assumed this newly created leadership role in February 2026 as part of a substantial restructuring of the board under the direction of the Atla executive director.
As general editor, Young works with the press production editor, the executive director, and fellow editorial board members to help shape the Press’ future and to support its authors, editors, and editorial board members throughout the publication process.
Atla is an international library association dedicated to advancing the study of religion and theology by supporting scholarly communication and access to high-quality information resources. Its membership includes librarians, scholars, and publishers who collaborate to make theological research widely available. The Books Editorial Board oversees the development and publication of open-access monographs through Atla Open Press.
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.
