Please join us at the ninth annual New Directions in Scholarly Publishing Seminar, taking place October 7–8, 2025, at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference Center in Washington, DC, and online using Zoom and the SSP Engage App!
This year’s theme—“Show Me the Incentive, and I’ll Show You the Outcome”: Mapping the Forces Shaping Knowledge Creation and Dissemination—draws inspiration from Charlie Munger’s famous observation on the power of incentives. The seminar will examine how policies, funding mechanisms, institutional structures, and evolving publishing models impact the production and dissemination of knowledge within scholarly communication.
Attendees will explore how incentives are created and responded to across various sectors, including researchers, institutions, funders, and governments. Key topics include the evolution of open access, publishing workflows, credibility in science, and how the publishing industry can influence systemic forces to uphold its values.
Program Highlights
- Fresh, big-picture content: Sessions will feature diverse speakers, including those from outside the typical scholarly publishing circuit.
- Intentional networking opportunities: In-person attendees will enjoy structured roundtable discussions, themed lunches, and brand-new Dinner Dialogues that foster intimate and thought-provoking conversations.
- Designed for virtual engagement: Virtual attendees can join roundtable discussions, opt into a buddy program, and participate in informal group conversations. This year’s format emphasizes interaction and inclusion for all participants.
Keynote Address: Trust, Science, and Strategy
In an era marked by political polarization and questions around the value and trustworthiness of science, the New Directions Seminar keynote address by Meaghan Phelan will examine how publishers can respond strategically. Drawing on lessons from the Science family of journals, the talk will explore how publishing can reassert its value in the public arena and help replace skepticism with confidence.
Seminar Sessions
The 2025 seminar features nine sessions across one and a half days, including:
- Transparency in Research to Support Credibility and Trust
- Credit Where It’s Due: Reimagining Peer Review Incentives in a Changing Academic Landscape
- Accessibility Coffee Talk: Policy Meets Practice
- A Fighting Chance: Funding and Support Strategies for the Current Moment
- AI as Reader, Author, and Reviewer: Risks, Rewards, and Real-World Use
- From Impact Factor to Impact Framework: Transforming How We Evaluate Research
Interactive roundtable discussions will be held on both days for in-person and virtual attendees. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned expert, this seminar offers timely insights and tangible takeaways.
Registration Information
Register now to secure your spot—space is limited for in-person attendance! Early registration discounts are available through September 12, 2025, and bulk discounts are available for virtual attendees. Additionally, organizations can register for a group watch party and stream the seminar to an unlimited number of viewers at a single location! All registrants receive 90-day access to session recordings following the event.
SSP has arranged a courtesy hotel rate of $269/night, plus tax, at the Churchill Hotel, just a five-minute walk from the AGU venue—book by September 3, 2025, to take advantage of this rate.
