Weathering changes and challenges to society publishing

Abstract

Striking creative new partnership models, updating publishing practices, transforming business models Our first Learned Publishing issue of 2020 addresses the shifting economic and cultural realities facing the publishing enterprises of member-based associations with scholarly and professional missions. The diverse contributors consider case studies, original research, and industry updates that paint a portrait of an industry in transition, striking creative new partnership models, updating publishing practices, and transforming business models. As evidenced by the Fifth Wiley Society Member Survey, reported in this issue by Jonathan Roscoe, society publishers are challenged to meet demands for high-quality, competitive offerings while balancing financial sustainability and the ever-changing expectations of research funders, corporate customers, and institutional subscribers. In his Industry Update, Phill Jones offers highlights of how societies are responding to these adversities with his report of a 2019 SSP webinar. And, looking at the experiences of learned societies in Finland as a case study, Elina Late and colleagues outline the ways in which society publishers are critical players in the dissemination of high-quality research, particularly open access publishing. Transforming traditional business models and addressing systematic campaigns to accelerate the shift to open access publishing is a dominant theme in this special issue. While the specific impact of Plan S will vary greatly between different publishers and journals, it has acted as a general catalyst for publishers of all kinds, whose revenues are still heavily dependent on subscriptions and must now consider how to transition their income streams from ‘read’ to ‘publish’. From a variety of expert perspectives, contributors to this issue highlight the latest trends to be aware of going into the new year. Reporting the latest analysis coming out of the Society Publishers Accelerating Open Access and Plan S (SPA-OPS) project, Alicia Wise and Lorraine Estelle discuss the remarkable 27 models currently being tested and highlight findings of their survey of society publisher experiences. Putting such models into practice for 2020, Malavika Legge at Portland Press discusses their commitment to develop and deploy transformative agreements with research institutions, taking on an exploratory approach to strike new arrangements that work for each customer. Quan Hoang Vuong also reflects on such transformations and observes an ‘existential threat’ to the economic models that have sustained independent society-based publishing for decades. Many societies are engaging with changing business models and editorial policies, struggling to maintain academic freedom in today's information economy. The authors in this issue demonstrate that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Instead, we find an industry ripe for innovation and experimentation. Some publishers, such as those behind the British Ecological Society, have found partnerships with larger commercial publishers to be a beneficial path to support the society's mission, community, and future sustainability. Michael Clarke outlines best practices in exploring and establishing publishing service agreements with such commercial partners, raising important points to consider in this type of decision-making. Some society-based publications, such as the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT), have carved a path that retains full editorial and publishing independence. Limited partnerships models, for example, where one specific publishing aspect is outsourced to a commercial publisher, work for other society publishers as described by Sophia Anderton at the British Institute of Radiology. And others, such as those geological and earth science publishers that partner with GeoScience World, look to non-profit collaborative models, as outlined by Marc Segers and his colleagues. The value proposition that society publishing brings to a membership organization can create fulfilling career opportunities. Edith Holmes relates her experience with JOSPT and how the independent publishing operation adds to the enrichment of the community. The contribution to science, professional development, and advancement of research are additional benefits of a career in society publishing highlighted by Richard Dodenhoff. We hope that all our industry colleagues, whether society publishers or otherwise, will find something in this issue that offers insights or inspiration for the new year ahead. Please send us feedback – reach out to us (www.alpsp.org/Learned-Publishing) or find us on Twitter (@LearnedPublish) – we want to hear what you think! Special issue editorial team, Lettie Y. Conrad, Peter Richardson, and Rebecca Rinehart L. Y. Conrad P. Richardson R. Rinehart