The University Press of Kansas publishes scholarly books that advance knowledge and regional books that contribute to the understanding of Kansas, the Great Plains, and the Midwest. Founded in 1946 and reorganized in 1967 and again in 1976, it represents the six state universities: Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas, and Wichita State University.

Established as a consortium by the Board of Regents, the press is governed by a Board of Trustees, who are the chief academic officers of the six universities and who appoint faculty members from each institution to serve on the advisory Editorial Committee. The press is located on the west campus of the University of Kansas.

The press publishes work on American politics (including the presidency, American political thought, and public policy), military history and intelligence studies, American history (especially political, cultural, intellectual, and western), environmental policy and history, American studies, film studies, law and legal history, Native American studies, and books about Kansas and the Midwest. Their books have reached a wide audience both inside and outside the academy and have been recognized for their contributions to important scholarly and public debates.