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Academic & Scientific Media

Academic and scientific publishing runs on a different model from the rest of the industry. Its readers are mostly researchers and clinicians, and its customers are often the libraries and institutions they work for. What it really sells is confidence in the research record.

Open access has become the standard model, moving revenue away from subscriptions towards publishing charges and institutional agreements. Learned societies that switched early have used the change to build data and analytics products around their journals. Where research comes from is changing as well, with a growing share now produced in Asia.

However, it is a common misconception that open access somehow reduces the importance of the publisher. In reality, it is the opposite.

Niels Peter Thomas Academic media

AI raises the stakes. Fabricated papers test peer review on an industrial scale, and publishers are building integrity tools while deciding on what terms to license their content to AI developers.

Science also reaches general readers through magazines and specialist journalists, who face many of the same pressures as the rest of the press.

Below you'll find some of our best feature articles on academic and scientific media, from open access and research integrity to medical journals, institutional sales and science journalism, alongside our latest news and industry commentary.


Essential Resources

Academic media
Best Practice in Publishing

Academic media

We asked Niels Peter Thomas, chief executive officer of BMJ Publishing, what does best practice publishing look like in academic media? This is what he said…

Opportunities & Threats: Academic Media
FEATURE

Opportunities & Threats: Academic Media

The task ahead is clear, says Anke Beck: to harness AI not as a threat but as a catalyst.

Scientific / academic media
The Digital Transformation Journey

Scientific / academic media

Sara Sharman, head of content services, Institution of Engineering and Technology, tells Ciar Byrne about how the scientific / academic media sector is managing the digital transformation journey.

AI in practice: IOP Publishing
AI SPECIAL

AI in practice: IOP Publishing

Laura Feetham-Walker, head of publishing strategy and performance, tells us how IOP Publishing is using AI now and where she sees the best opportunities for future development.

BMJ – finding a wider audience
INTERVIEW

BMJ – finding a wider audience

Pandemics, climate change, health inequality are all existential threats that require expert trusted analysis, and that is why BMJ’s content is increasingly in demand beyond its traditional audience.

Experts – still valued here
PUBLISHER PROFILE

Experts – still valued here

With all the current talk around ‘post-truth’ and ‘alternative facts’, with people like Michael Gove saying they’ve “had enough of experts”, the newly rebranded Emerald Publishing – part of Emerald Group – is sticking to its core values. As Tony Roch

New revenue streams
INTERVIEW

New revenue streams

Mark Allen Group is a big believer in print… and a big believer in digital too! As Matt Cianfarani tells Ciar Byrne, digital publishing is opening up lucrative new revenue streams for the group’s healthcare titles.

You’ve got to take risks
INTERVIEW

You’ve got to take risks

Catherine de Lange of New Scientist was crowned Editors’ Editor of the Year at the BSME Awards. Here, she talks about her trend-spotting tricks, the “pub test” the team employ for stories & how she’s running a 70-year-old publication like a start-up.

Not just rocket science
OUT & ABOUT WITH ALAN GEERE

Not just rocket science

With big issues like AI and robotics, climate change and space exploration, it’s difficult to keep science off the front pages. But what does all this mean for the science journalists and writers who are forever adding context and explanation?


All Articles

British Journal of Photography chooses Exact Editions
News

British Journal of Photography chooses Exact Editions

British Journal of Photography has launched a digital edition for institutions and subscribers in partnership with Exact Editions.

29/04/2025

8 nuggets from our Subs Acquisition Special
COLUMN

8 nuggets from our Subs Acquisition Special

James Evelegh picks out some of the key takeaways from our recently published Subscriber Acquisition Special.

By James Evelegh  |  23/04/2025

IOPP pilots new policy
News

IOPP pilots new policy

IOP Publishing advances research data sharing with new policy for two environmental research journals.

02/04/2025

Emerald Publishing announces partnership
News

Emerald Publishing announces partnership

Emerald Publishing has announced a partnership with the EveryLibrary Institute to support academic librarians in the U.S.

28/03/2025

OUP publishes new research collection
News

OUP publishes new research collection

Oxford University Press has announced it is building its digital offering with a new interdisciplinary research collection.

20/03/2025

Elsevier launches ScienceDirect AI
News

Elsevier launches ScienceDirect AI

Elsevier has announced the launch of ScienceDirect AI to transform research with insights from trusted content.

17/03/2025

Cranfield University renews with Frontiers
News

Cranfield University renews with Frontiers

Cranfield University has renewed its flat fee partnership with Frontiers for 2025.

14/03/2025

IOP Publishing releases Highlights Report
News

IOP Publishing releases Highlights Report

IOP Publishing has released its 2024 Highlights Report, showing a year of significant transformation and growth all while maintaining high standards in peer review and research integrity.

10/03/2025

Frontiers renews University of Kansas
News

Frontiers renews University of Kansas

University of Kansas and Frontiers have renewed their flat fee open access agreement for 2025.

07/03/2025

Frontiers launches Fair Squared
News

Frontiers launches Fair Squared

Reimagining FAIR for an AI World: Frontiers introduces FAIR Squared Data Management.

05/03/2025

Opportunities & Threats: Academic Media
FEATURE

Opportunities & Threats: Academic Media

In a rapidly changing sector, it is vital to safeguard research quality and prevent misinformation, says BMJ Group’s Anca Babor.

By Anca Babor  |  28/02/2025

eLife win OpenAthens UX Award 2025
News

eLife win OpenAthens UX Award 2025

eLife has been announced as this year’s OpenAthens UX Award winner for its user-driven approach to Reviewed Preprints.

28/02/2025

Publishers Association releases statement
News

Publishers Association releases statement

The Publishers Association has released a statement on the copyright and AI consultation.

25/02/2025

IOPP and Fudan University organise workshop
News

IOPP and Fudan University organise workshop

IOP Publishing and Fudan University are convening experts to explore AI and Machine Learning’s impact on the Physical sciences.

12/02/2025

IOPP and IOP celebrate IYQ
News

IOPP and IOP celebrate IYQ

The Institute of Physics and IOP Publishing are celebrating the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with a calendar of events.

05/02/2025

751 articles