Independent Thinking on Publishing's Future
Introduction Elsevier, now a division of RELX plc, remains the dominant player in academic publishing. If you’ve glanced at headlines or overheard the occasional mutter in a faculty lounge, you’ve likely noticed that this giant isn’t just surviving. It is thriving, raking in profits that make Silicon Valley unicorns blush. But how much profit did … Read more
Introduction Scientific publishing is a colossal industry, quietly shaping academic progress, technological innovation, and global policy decisions. While academic journals tend to dominate discussions about scholarly communication, scientific books are equally vital to the field. These books, ranging from comprehensive textbooks to advanced research monographs, play a crucial role in educating future scientists, advancing knowledge, … Read more
Introduction Most academics now use AI somewhere in their work, from literature searches and data analysis to drafting, teaching and peer review. This article maps where it is being used, what the latest surveys show and which ethical lines journals and funders have drawn. Key points Artificial intelligence was once the stuff of sci-fi movies … Read more
Introduction Few questions inspire as much fascination, anxiety, and philosophical debate as this one: Will AI take over the world? It’s the kind of question that sparks late-night discussions, viral social media threads, and dystopian headlines in tech magazines. We’re obsessed with it, not just because it makes for a good movie plot, but because … Read more
Introduction It started innocently enough: a few readers on TikTok sharing heartfelt reactions to books they loved. Tear-streaked faces, annotated paperbacks, dramatic music swells. Suddenly, sales of titles like It Ends With Us and The Song of Achilles exploded. Publishers took notice, and BookTok was born—not as a company or a startup, but as a … Read more