From Trends to Tactics: Shaping Scholarly Publishing's Near Future

October 1 & 2, 2024

AGU Conference Center | Washington, DC + Online

When we ponder what new directions lie ahead for the scholarly communications and publishing industry, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by predictions of radical change and dire risks that won’t be realized for decades into the future. Funding models are being transformed, digital publishing programs are evolving, and user expectations are diversifying. For strategic and pragmatic purposes, this year’s New Directions Seminar will focus on understanding today’s trends and considering their near-term impacts and implications. Instead of prognosticating what a total overhaul of our industry might encompass for future generations, our goal is to generate actionable insights and practical ideas we can use to address the realities of the next <5 years.

Program

Day 1: Tuesday, October 1

9:30-10:00 am — Registration/Continental Breakfast

10:00 -11:15 am — Opening Remarks 
Keynote presentation: Emerging Traits in Scholarly Publishing
Like us, the systems we create evolve over time with selective pressure. Scholarly publishing—notoriously rigid and slow to evolve—now faces its own pressures for change. As researchers and institutions slowly begin to embrace innovation, we are witnessing the emergence of new traits: faster science but also greater transparency; more autonomy, but also more accountability. Preprints are at the core of this revolution. They have empowered scientists to control how, when, and to what extent they share their work and engage with feedback. Now that researchers can share work on their own terms, new possibilities lay before us. This new world of research communication is powered by intuitive tools, enabled by strong metadata, and enhanced by AI. It allows scientists to showcase not just static representations of their findings but the full richness of their work. No longer constrained by artificial limits, researchers can now present dynamic outputs that evolve alongside scientific discovery. But if this is the future we desire, it is up to institutions, funders to support those who make this new paradigm possible and reward those who embrace it. The evolution of scholarly publishing is inevitable, and the time has come. Now all we need is pressure.
Speaker: Michele Avissar-Whiting, Director, Open Science Strategy, HHMI 

11:30 am-12:30 pm — New Paradigms in the Shift to Publishing-as-a-Service
In an era where digital transformation is reshaping industries, the publishing sector is evolving from traditional models to dynamic, service-oriented frameworks. This session explores publishing as a service from three perspectives: the evolving expectations of researchers, the adoption of B2C digital tools in open access environments, and the novel role of library publishers. We will discuss how insights from customer research can redefine what authors value, examine the adoption of traditional direct-to-consumer technologies in scholarly communication, and consider the motivations behind library-led publishing initiatives. Join us to understand how these elements enhance service delivery in the scholarly publishing landscape.
Moderator: Anne Gering, Publishing Editor, RTI Press, RTI International 
Speakers:
Corinne Guimont, Associate Director of Publishing and Digital Scholarship, Virginia Tech
Gwen Logan, Director, Customer Insights, AIP Publishing
Julie Nash, VP, Sales & Partnership Development, Wiley

12:30-1:30 pm — Lunch

1:30-2:45 pm — Reverse Roundtables 
Reverse roundtable discussions will kick off the afternoon. In-person attendees stay in groups while seminar presenters and organizers rotate, facilitating discussions around three key themes of the conference: 

• organizational transformation, 
• how publishing is responding to a changing research landscape, and 
• developing our workforce. 

Facilitators will also be available for virtual roundtables with online attendees. Small-group discussions will focus on changes and disruptions in these areas.

3:00-4:00 pm — Consolidation, Competition, and Cooperation
As the long tail of smaller publishers shortens, new entrants and partnerships are on the rise, plus new competitive dynamics are reshaping our industry. This panel brings together the perspectives of an information scientist, a marketing director, and an industry expert who will discuss the cycle and barriers of a partnership, a bold, new coalition built on purpose above profit, and the consolidation happening in publishing/technology and its impact on competition today. The panel will address problems in common that scholarly communication stakeholders face and would be better solved through partnerships, and the barriers to consolidating these partnerships due to challenges such as power imbalance, conflicts of interest, and competition.
Moderator: Jon Gurstelle, Senior Director of Publications, American Political Science Association
Speakers:
Janaynne do Amaral, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Meredith Lemasurier, SVP, Editorial Development, Taylor and Francis
Laura Ricci, Senior Consultant, Clarke & Esposito
Sara Rouhi, Director of Open Science and Publishing Innovation, AIP Publishing

4:15-5:15 pm — AI: The Scholarly Ally – From Open Science to Global Dissemination
Artificial Intelligence is impacting the world of scholarly publishing from all angles: shaping research and scientific methods to writing manuscripts to peer review and publication. Today we hear from 3 distinct voices across the scientific publishing spectrum—a professor and principal investigator leading AI in open science and governance methods using AI; an industry service provider on AI technologies combined with XML and production; and a publisher’s perspective on AI in publishing with an eye on the author experience. The group will also discuss their views on what the near future will hold. 
Moderator: Jamie Devereaux, Senior Journals Manager, Medicine & Public Health, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers
Speakers:
Susan Aaronson, Research Professor and Director, Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub, co-PI NSF Trustworthy AI Institute for Law and Society, George Washington University 
Deepika Bajaj, Director, Demand, Field and Channel Marketing, DataCore Software
Daniel Berger, Product Manager, American Chemical Society
Marianne Calilhanna, VP Marketing, Data Conversion Laboratory 

Day 2: Wednesday, October 2

9:00-10:00 am — Changing Research Landscapes
Speakers:
Jennifer Kemp, Director, Consulting Services, Strategies for Open Science
Jenny Peng, Executive Publisher, Oxford University Press
Maurice Johnson, Social Scientist, FDA
Anna Hatch, Program Officer, Open Science StrategyHoward Hughes Medical Institute

10:15-11:15 am — Adapting Your Workforce
Is AI more of a collaborator than a replacement? Hear from others in the industry on how they see the human touch remaining crucial for creativity, strategic thinking and emotional intelligence and how the publishing workforce will need to adapt to new skillsets to work alongside these technology tools.
Moderator: Zsolt Silberer, Senior Technology Consultant, Delta Think
Speakers:
Etzer Botes, Senior Director, Strategy, Wiley 
David Sampson, Vice President, Chief Publishing Officer, NEJM Group
Jeff Strohschein, Chief Information and Digital Officer, IEEE

11:30 am-12:20 pm — Researcher Panel: A Discussion of First-Hand Publishing Experiences
Time to break out of our echo chamber! This panel of experts working as investigators and/or instructors in academic, corporate, or governmental organizations will share first-hand insights into researchers’ experiences within the scholarly realm, answering questions such as 1) How do you select a journal? 2) What role does artificial intelligence play in teaching, research, and publication? 3) How do funding mandates impact your publishing decisions? We will host a diverse line-up of professionals with varied backgrounds, career levels, research disciplines, industry involvement, and other contexts, who can reflect on their experiences as authors, editors, and reviewers. We will discuss the role of AI in research and publishing; experiences with open-access publishing; economic factors that impact publishing journeys; and much more!
Moderator: Avriel Liccardi, Publisher, Life Sciences, Wiley
Speakers:
Donny Persaud, Doctoral student, Geography, Cornell University, Science and Technology Studies
Faith Tissot, RN, CCRN,MSN-Ed- Doctoral of Nursing Science Student, Texas Women's University
Kristin Poinar, Assistant Professor, University at Buffalo
John Warren, Director and Associate Professor, Publishing, George Washington University

3:00 pm  — Optional Tour of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division at the Library of Congress
In-person attendees are welcome to take advantage of an opportunity to enjoy a private tour of the exceptional Rare Books at Special Collections at the Library of Congress. 

Space is limited to 20 attendees. 

Attendees will be responsible for transportation to the Library. There is no charge to attend, but we encourage you to donate to the Generations Fund. 

Accommodations

SSP has arranged a courtesy rate at the Churchill Hotel at a rate of $249/night + tax (15.95%). The hotel is located about a 5 minute walk from the AGU. The deadline to reserve the courtesy rate has been extended to September 6, 2024.

Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors: Cadmore Media, Data Conversion Laboratory, Dimensions, Origin Editorial, and Silverchair.

Additional opportunities are available. Contact Kristen Totaro at [email protected] for more information. 

New Directions Seminar Working Group

Ginny Herbert, AIP Publishing (co-lead)
Lettie Conrad, LibLynx (co-lead)
Janaynne Carvalho do Amaral, University of Illinois
Matthew Cannon, Taylor & Francis
Neil Blair Christensen, Morressier
Jamie Devereaux, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers
Betsy Donohue, Silverchair
Anne Gering, RTI International
Jon Gurstelle, American Political Science Association
Avriel Licciardi, Wiley 
Laura Martin, Wiley
Jordan Schilling, Springer Nature
Zsolt Silberer, Delta Think 
Sophie Reisz, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (Education committee co-chair) 
David Myers, Wolters Kluwer (Education committee co-chair) 
Heather Ruland Staines, Delta Think (SSP President)

Health & Safety Information

In person attendees must adhere to SSP’s Infectious Disease Waiver. 

Event cancellation policy 

Cancellations received in writing prior September 18, 2024 will be issued a refund less a $30 processing fee. Allow up to 10 business days for the processing of refunds. No refunds will be processed for cancellations less than two weeks before the event. SSP encourages you to send a substitute in your place if you cannot attend. 

• No refunds will be processed for cancellations less than two weeks before the event. SSP encourages you to send a substitute in your place if you cannot attend or to convert your registration to the virtual attendance option which will offer all content on-demand as well as some content live-streamed. 
• Registrations can be converted from in-person to virtual at any time before October 1, without any additional fees. Registrant will be refunded the difference in the registration rate. 
• Registrations can be converted from virtual to in-person any time before October 1. Registrants will be charged the difference in the registration rate in effect at the time of the change. 

Cancellation or Format Change by SSP

SSP reserves the right to cancel any program or session or to change the format of the meeting to virtual. In the event of cancellation, SSP will refund registration fees, but is not responsible for any costs, damages, or other expenses of any kind, including and without limitation, transportation and/or hotel costs incurred by registrants. Speakers are subject to change without notice. In the event the format changes to virtual only, in-person attendees will be refunded the difference in the registration rate or they can cancel their registration less a $30 processing fee.

Accessibility

SSP is dedicated to making the 2024 New Directions Seminar as accessible as possible. We wish to ensure that as many participants as possible can meaningfully engage with all program content, whether in person or online. All attendees and speakers are asked to join us in supporting and implementing accessible practices. 

The seminar venue is fully ADA compliant, including front door & meeting space entrances, restrooms and public spaces. Service animals are welcome, but please let us know in advance if you will be bringing one. Accessible parking is available at Universal North Parking garage which is across the street from the AGU building. If on site parking is required, please contact us. 

Automated captions will be enabled for all presentations.

If you have additional questions about event accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Registration Information 

The early registration deadline is September 6, 2024.

In person registration includes coffee and pastries on October 1 and 2,  lunch on October 1, access to the Zoom Events platform, and access to session recordings for 90 days.  

Individual virtual-only registration includes access to the virtual meeting platform (Zoom Events), access to the live-stream, attendee engagement, and access to session recordings for 90 days.

Organizations that purchase a group watch party can have unlimited viewers watching in one location on one device. Organizations will be given one login to access session recordings for 90 days. 

Registration Fees:

In-Person Registration 

Virtual Registration 

Discounted Bulk Registration Packages (Virtual) 

In person and virtual attendees are required to review and adhere to the SSP Code of Conduct.