Promising but Uncertain Work: Inventing and Reinventing the Research Exchange Index (REx)

<jats:p> The Research Exchange Index (REx) is a new digital imprint affiliated with the WAC Clearinghouse. Its first publication, REx 1, is the inaugural edition of a searchable database that contains unique, peer-reviewed information about empirical studies of writing conducted between 2000 and the present. The ten-year history of the development of these resources provides insight into digital scholarly publishing in rhetoric and composition/writing studies. In particular, the evolution of REx highlights some of the ways that new modes of scholarly communication triangulate access, rigour, and inclusion within the discipline. A success story of sorts, the history of REx also raises questions about the impact of digital scholarly publishing and its sustainability. </jats:p>