Higher education and scholarly publishing are facing some tough questions. My recent conversation with Michael Upshall on the Against the Grain Podcast explores why. atgthepodcast.libsyn.com/atgthepodcas...

At #VitaeCon2025 we launched the report from a researcher development study in partnership with @Vitae-news.bsky.social with 14 UK & Australian universities, supporting 40,000 research staff and students. See the infographic & public report: buff.ly/76YyQRl #researcherdevelopment #VitaeCon 🧵1/7

QR drops by 16.5% in 15 years, Russell Group warns. @sophieatrpn.bsky.social reports on worrying trends in QR and HEIF funding. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...

Only a week to go before the @oaspa.bsky.social Conference 2025. Join our colleagues @rschrobuk.bsky.social and @drachiarelli.bsky.social in Belgium for this event. #OASPA2025 #OA

Our colleagues Liz Allen and @rschrobuk.bsky.social are at the @alpsp.bsky.social Conference over the next few days. Feel free to connect with either Liz or Rob to meet up and have a chat. #ALPSP2025

Our colleagues Liz Allen and @rschrobuk.bsky.social will be attending the @alpsp.bsky.social Conference next week 10-12 September. Feel free to connect with either Liz or Rob before you go. #ALPSP2025

We're pleased to share that the 2025 iteration of the review of annual statements on research integrity is now available on Zenodo. Review of annual statements on research integrity (2025): doi.org/10.5281/zeno... UK Committee on Research Integrity's 2025 annual statement: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...

How do we manage risk and uncertainty in academic knowledge systems? Stephanie Decker and @heroicendeavour.bsky.social will be kicking off the #UKSGUncovered online conference on 17/18 September with an exploration of the 'AI ethics blind spot'. Book you place via the link below! lnkd.in/epguTfhX

Very interesting article/research by @rschrobuk.bsky.social and Sarah Greaves on the SSP blog today. "The current trajectory — declining revenues, increasing volumes, growing technological complexity, and abandonment of independent publishing — is unsustainable for many organizations."

Society Publishers at a Crossroads: New Evidence of an Accelerating Crisis. Check out my guest post with Sarah Greaves on @scholarlykitchen.bsky.social, scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/07/30/g...

'A 2021 study estimated that UK academics contribute $391 million worth of unpaid labour annually through peer reviewing alone. These non-cash contributions are essential to the functioning of the scholarly publishing system yet are often overlooked in discussions about cost and value.'

#OASPA2025 Sep 22-24 2025 | Showcase on 3 panels: 🔹Open access of what, for what, and why? 🔸The library at the heart of the open access transition 🔹Scaling inclusive models in open access Details at mailchi.mp/oaspa/confer... charleswatkinson.bsky.social | rospyne.bsky.social | cern.bsky.social

Can AI function as a work coach? My experience says yes, it can www.linkedin.com/pulse/using-...

NEW on Wonkhe: Anton Muscatelli, Maria Delgado and Miles Padgett consider the latest REF guidance, and warn of possible unintended consequences in how removing restrictions on output numbers will play out buff.ly/xBrgPzm

Don't forget to submit your presentation idea for #UKSG2026 in Glasgow! dub.sh/lGMfvyz

The £3.6bn Challenge: Why UK Universities Need a Strategic Revolution #ARMA2025 www.linkedin.com/posts/robjoh...

Really nice take on the role of AI as thought partner vs the human as thought leader #ARMA2025

Fantastic mix of delegates as #ARMA2025 kicks off in Edinburgh today - 773 attendees from 22 countries, including every continent bar Antarctica.

REF veterans tackle the big question - reputation or money? Ian Carter & Pauline Muya share practical #REF2029 strategy with @rschrobUK. "Don't panic. There's still time!" Perfect reading for #ARMA2025.

Our colleagues @rschrobuk.bsky.social, @dankingdk.bsky.social and @angharadroberts.bsky.social are at the ARMA conference in Edinburgh this week. You'll be able to find us in the exhibition hall. Please feel free to connect or come and find us and we will be happy to have a chat. #ARMA #Edinburgh

With #REF2029 on the horizon and financial pressures mounting, @rschrobuk.bsky.social‬ interviews two REF veterans with 30 years' experience. Their insights on research assessment evolution and guidance are in time for next week's #ARMA2025 discussions.

Open-access revolution is squeezing scientific societies’ budgets - Further reflections on our recent white paper on society publishing are captured in this article in @science.org

We are reviewing the current state of scientific publishing, and we want to hear from researchers on their perceptions of publishing in the current context and how it might develop in future. Complete our short survey now:

Surprising findings from our latest research: While 56% of learned societies saw journal revenues drop since 2019, some of the bigger players are actually thriving. Turns out scale = survival in scholarly publishing. www.research-consulting.com/collaboratio... #ScholPub #AcademicPublishing

The open access transition + AI disruption are reshaping publishing faster than learned societies can adapt. Consortia, infrastructure, partnerships - societies must work together or risk losing their voice in research. Full analysis: lnkd.in/e_MfxkaY #ScholarlyPublishing #ResearchPolicy

Complementing other communications about the "Restoring Gold Standard Science" Executive Order, here is a statement from COS. Also, see the links to stories from previous attempts to co-opt open science for policies that undermine science and evidence-based policymaking. www.cos.io/about/news/c...

#WeareHarvard #DefendResearch @rschrobuk.bsky.social @bianconiglio.bsky.social @acadpubnews.bsky.social @roxannekeynejad.bsky.social @standupforscifr.bsky.social @sufs-paris-rp.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social @standupforscimn.bsky.social @sufsnewmexico.bsky.social @jillmwo.bsky.social

A fresh conversation about the future of open access OASPA, in collaboration with @researchconsulting.bsky.social has released a Next 50% project-primer that frames a fresh conversation about the future of open access. Visit the post bit.ly/3Se3akr for full details, including the primer & survey #OA

Federating diamond OA in Europe and beyond: the European Diamond Capacity Hub (EDCH) https://insights.uksg.org/articles/10.1629/uksg.683

Open Access Trends in Scholarly Publishing 2015–2024 - pulse49.com https://pulse49.com/2025/05/15/open-access-trends-in-scholarly-publishing-2015-2024/

Beautiful evening for @researchconsulting.bsky.social team drinks!

"Following years of frozen fees, inadequate research funding and a rapid downturn in international students, the current operating environment is very challenging. We would urge government to think carefully about the impact that a levy on international student fees will have on universities..."

We're on the move!

President Trump's "skinny" budget request absolutely eviscerates scientific research funding. The @aaas.org estimates the request would constitute an 82.5% reduction in research spending (and that's just the agencies named in the request).

‘The rapid integration of AI into education isn’t just changing what students do – it’s changing what they believe they can do.‘

Those who refuse to learn from history are destined to repeat it. This is an important new report from our team for @wellcometrust.bsky.social on lessons learned for genomic sequencing during the #COVID19 pandemic.

As academic anxieties grow about travel to the US, @petraboynton.bsky.social says UK universities must advise staff planning on US collaborations - and maps out what they should include in a safety manual for researchers visiting America. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...

“Data is being stolen from us” More on US government #censorship from todays @theguardian.com - if you’re concerned, make your voice heard by signing the Declaration to #DefendResearch tinyurl.com/3bwuc38f

Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.

Useful article by Guillaume Thierry. "If AIs are passing the Turing test, we need to update the test." theconversation.com/we-need-to-s...

Researcher assessment is evolving. 🔄 In partnership with Springer Nature, we surveyed over 6,000 researcher on research evaluation & offer actionable insights for universities, funders & policymakers. Read the key takeaways here: stories.springernature.com/state-of-res... #ResearcherAssessment

Some context here from my years of work on the Open Library of Humanities. Open Journals Collective is the opportunity we need to spread no-APC OA widely. Cancel Transformative Agreements (which aren't working). Use that money to fund this package of hundreds of OA journals. eve.gd/2025/04/02/o...

Can gold #openaccess survive a shift to green? #UKSG2025 www.linkedin.com/posts/robjoh...

It’s a beautiful evening in Brighton ahead of the #UKSG2025 Gala Reception!

What do learned society publishers and New Zealand glaciers have in common? 🌍 Join us at #UKSG2025 for “Bridge over troubled water” with Jamie Carmichael, Maggie Simmons, Bethany Logan & me to find out. 📅 Mon 31 Mar, 13:30 GMT 📅 Tue 1 Apr, 11:00 GMT 📍 Brighton #SocietyPublishing #ScholComm

Pls. share widely and most important: Sign the Declaration #DefendResearch @rschrobuk.bsky.social @boysek.bsky.social @bianconiglio.bsky.social @sciencecheerleader.bsky.social @acadpubnews.bsky.social @roxannekeynejad.bsky.social @standupforscifr.bsky.social @sufs-paris-rp.bsky.social

Three reasons why UK universities must get used to tighter regulation and increased government oversight: www.linkedin.com/posts/robjoh...

Our colleague Katie Fraser will be attending the @rluk.bsky.social conference tomorrow and Friday. Feel free to connect or catch up at the conference #RLUK25 #RLUKICIL #RLUKDSF #RLUKSPACE #librariesXresearch

The revival of university/institutionally based presses in the UK has been one of the most exciting developments in #scholcomms in recent times - @suzannetatham.bsky.social & I wrote for @timeshighered.bsky.social about why this matters www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/six-r...

Our colleagues @rschrobuk.bsky.social, Liz Allen and Ellie Cox are attending the London Book Fair from today. Please feel free to connect and chat with any of them over the next few days. #LBF2025