**SOLD OUT**  The Invisible Bridge **SOLD OUT**

The role of publishers in science diplomacy

Science diplomacy often makes headlines through summits and treaties. But beneath formal diplomacy lies a stable, long-standing force for international collaboration: the global research publishing system.  

Publishing does more than disseminate findings. It builds common ground. It enables scientists to co-author, critique, and iterate—even when political ties are strained. It maintains shared standards of rigor and trust. 

As stewards of this knowledge infrastructure, publishers play a quiet but critical diplomatic role. They keep science moving, uphold truth, and foster cooperation in uncertain times. 

In an age of disruption and disinformation, this invisible bridge is more essential than ever. Join us at the STM Annual Conference in Frankfurt, 13–14 October, to explore how publishing can further strengthen science diplomacy and shape a more resilient future for research. 

What’s this? 

Every year, the STM Community convenes in Frankfurt for STM’s Annual Conference — held conveniently right before the Frankfurt Bookfair. It summons academic publishers, innovators, societies, funders and universities connected by a common goal: to advance trusted research. 

What to expect? First, a welcoming dinner on the evening of Monday 13 October affords us a chance to connect in person and network. Tuesday 14 October will offer a potent line-up of speakers, sessions, and ample opportunities for collaboration and connections.

Course of events

**SOLD OUT**  Monday 13th October 2025 | Evening Dinner to be held at the Westin Grand Frankfurt**SOLD OUT**

Individual spaces are available for purchase with your conference registration or separately if you’re unable to attend the conference. Arrival drinks will be served from 7:00 p.m., and we will be seated for dinner by 8:00 p.m.

For details of corporate sponsorship tables (full tables of 8) contact events@stm-assoc.org or see here for sponsorship opportunities.

**SOLD OUT** Tuesday 14th October 2025 | STM Frankfurt Conference**SOLD OUT** 

Developing programme

08:30	Registration & networking breakfast
09:15	Opening & Welcome – STM Board Chair
09:20	Pre-recorded message – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO
09:25	Introduction of the keynote speaker: STM Board Chair What is science diplomacy?  Opening Keynote: Jean-Christophe Mauduit, Associate Professor of Science Diplomacy, University College London (UCL)
10.10	Refreshment break & networking, sponsored by CCC
10:40	How do we work with the community on science diplomacy? Moderated by Caroline Sutton, CEO, STM Paweł Rowiński, President, ALLEA Vivi Stavrou, Executive Secretary of the ISC Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) and ISC Senior Science Officer Josep M. Garrell, President, EUA Lara Campbell, Founder, Petrichor Scientific Consulting Roger C. Schonfeld, Managing Director, JSTOR Digital Stewardship Services
12:25	Lunch
13:45	Menti Quiz – Awareness of science diplomacy
14:00	Please note that this session will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule; no audio or video recordings will be made Science Communication in a Time of Disruption Moderated by Erica Kimmerling, Senior Director for ASTC’s Future of Science Strategies Science communication is a vital pillar of science diplomacy because it helps translate complex scientific concepts into clear, accessible messages for the general public. This public understanding is essential for building trust, fostering informed decision-making, and encouraging collaboration across nations. In today’s world—marked by challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and technological disruptions—effective science communication ensures that people and policymakers alike can engage with scientific evidence. By making science accessible and relevant, it strengthens the bridge between scientists, policymakers, and society, which is crucial for effective international cooperation. Joyce Lorigan, Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead,  Springer Nature David Sampson, Vice President, Chief Publishing Officer, New England Journal of Medicine Group  Miriam Maus, Chief Publishing Officer, IOPP
15:00	Diplomacy through knowledge exchange Moderated by Steven Heffner, Managing Director, Publications, and Chief Publishing Officer for IEEE PublicationsOne of the foundations of diplomacy is mutual understanding, fostered through an exchange of knowledge that provides a stronger foundation upon which to find common ground, build collaboration and reduce the risk of conflict.STM has been working for more than a decade to build bridges between China and the publishing sphere outside of China in collaboration with Chinese partners. An important milestone in this was the joint report between CAST and STM Open Access Publishing in China 2022, published in both English and Mandarin. This was followed up in 2023 with the first STM/CUJS China Symposium focused on Open Science and Research Integrity.This year, STM and CUJS are co-organizing the second China Symposium, again focused on an exchange of knowledge on critical topics, the day before the conference. This session is dedicated to practically fostering understanding and a platform for diplomacy through offering a summary of key shifts in Chinese policies and what these mean for future collaboration with publishers outside China. Tieming Zhang, President, CUJS, and Deputy Director of Journal Publishing Department of Beijing Forestry University Zhe Chen, Director, Periodicals Import Center, CNPIEC;   Director, Secretariat of OSPC, will introduce the recent release of research reports and updated plans from the Open Science Promotion Consortium (OSPC) Rachel Martin, STM Social Responsibility Committee Chair, Global Director, Sustainability, Elsevier Priya Madina, STM Open Science Committee Chair, VP, External Affairs and Policy, Taylor & Francis
16:00	Networking & refreshment break
16:45	Strengthening the research community: Science diplomacy and the renewal of trust Moderated by Mandy Hill, Managing Director of Academic Publishing, Cambridge University Press Building diplomacy within the research and scholarly communication ecosystem begins with strengthening relationships among our own stakeholders. Diplomacy in this context means creating open channels of communication and mutual understanding among publishers, libraries, researchers, funders, and technology providers—groups whose priorities often diverge. In July, the leadership of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Association of University Presses (AUPresses), Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and STM jointly issued Trust & Integrity: A Research Imperative, a statement affirming public investment in basic science and the humanities, broad access to validated information, the centrality of research integrity, and the protection of freedom of speech, academic freedom, and nondiscrimination in the marketplace of ideas. In this session, the leaders of four of these organisations will openly discuss how they found common ground, how they are working to build trust between organisations and their members as a precursor to building trust in science, overcoming the challenges arising from our five different profiles, how dialogue led to a focus on trust and research integrity, and how they are currently working to arrive at a decision on what tangible support they will bring to the wider community. Peter Berkery, Executive Director, Association of University Presses (AUPresses) Melanie Dolechek, Executive Director, Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) Andrew Pace, Executive Director, Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Caroline Sutton, CEO, STM
17:30	Closing remarks – STM Board Chair
17:45	Drinks Reception, sponsored by Silverchair

Programme Committee:

• Sam Green, Director of Product Marketing, Silverchair 
• Julia Kostova, Director of Publishing and head of the US division, Frontiers 
• Eric Merkel-Sobotta, VP, Marketing & Communications, Paradigm Publishing Services, De Gruyter Brill
• David Sampson, Vice President, Chief Publishing Officer, New England Journal of Medicine Group  
• Amanda Sulicz, Associate Program Manager, Publishing Ethics, IEEE
• Kathleen Too, SVP, Thieme Chemistry, Managing Director, Thieme China, Thieme Group
• Chair: Susie Winter, Vice President, Communications, Springer Nature