In 2025, Sage, one of the leading publishers in the social sciences, will be celebrating its origin story. As we look back on our journey, we are proud to honor our founder, Sara Miller McCune, a visionary female entrepreneur who started it all when she was just 24 years old. Her passion for social science and her determination to make a difference in the academic world led her to create Sage, a company that has become a household name in the field of social science publishing.
Sara McCune’s story is one of inspiration and empowerment. Growing up, she always had a deep curiosity about the world and its people. This curiosity only intensified as she pursued her studies in anthropology. Her love for the subject and her desire to share it with the world led her to become a nocturnal anthropologist – studying cultures and societies during the night while working a day job to support herself.
But Sara’s true calling was in publishing. She saw the potential of social science research and the impact it could have on society, but she also recognized the lack of platforms for such research to be shared. With her entrepreneurial spirit and determination, she set out to change that.
In 1965, Sara founded Sage with the goal of providing a platform for social science research and academic literature. With a small team and limited resources, she started off by publishing just a few journals. But her dedication and hard work paid off, and Sage quickly gained recognition and respect in the academic community.
Over the years, Sage has grown and evolved, expanding its portfolio to include books, reference works, and online resources. Today, it is a global company with offices in the US, UK, India, Singapore, and China, and publishes over 1,000 journals and 800 books annually. But despite its growth and success, Sage remains committed to its original mission – to disseminate knowledge and promote the advancement of social science research.
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are reminded of the impact that Sage has had on the academic world. Our publications have been cited in countless research papers and have influenced policies and practices around the world. We have also been at the forefront of innovation, embracing technology to make our content more accessible and interactive.
But none of this would have been possible without the vision and determination of our founder, Sara Miller McCune. Her legacy lives on through Sage, and her passion for social science continues to inspire us every day. She has not only created a successful company, but she has also paved the way for future generations of female entrepreneurs to follow in her footsteps.
In honor of our 60th anniversary, Sage has released a special edition book – “The Gift of a Nocturnal Anthropologist” – which chronicles Sara’s journey and the evolution of Sage. It is a tribute to her and a testament to the impact that one person can have on an entire industry.
As we reflect on our past, we also look towards the future with excitement and optimism. We will continue to innovate and adapt to the changing landscape of academia, always keeping Sara’s vision at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to promoting diverse voices and perspectives in social science research and to making a positive impact on society.
We invite you to join us in celebrating our origin story and to be a part of our journey as we continue to shape the future of social science publishing. Thank you, Sara Miller McCune, for your gift of Sage, which has touched the lives of countless individuals and has made a lasting impact on the world. Here’s to many more years of success and growth. Cheers to Sage!
