STM Trends: a Scholarly Communications Futurecast

In the scholarly publishing world, spring brings the annual return of STM Trends, a future-forward look at the entire ecosystem of scholarly communications by members of the STM Association. STM Trends captures the most impactful changes in research and publishing in a single themed image. Its aim is to: 

  • inspire broad thinking,
  • spark conversations,
  • catalyze ideas and solutions — and
  • galvanize those of us working to advance trusted science together.

 


Access the latest Trends here

How are STM Trends created?

STM’s Trends is created annually by members from our STEC Committee and the Future Lab, a discussion forum of over 30 STM members: senior staff in innovations, technology, strategy, business development, platforms, IT. In a group discussion, participants identify key technology-driven trends that are likely to impact the STM publishing industry in the next three to five years. Our methodology is based on the Delphi-method for technology forecasting. The outcome of this is translated every year into an infographic that looks up to 5 years ahead.

The Latest from STM

EU COM group on generative AI use in science

STM participates in a working group that the EU COM runs on AI in science, which last month published the third version of ‘Living guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research’. Further thematic working groups have now been set up to consider updates on the use of AI in evaluation of proposals,…

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APAC bimonthly seminar on Japan’s 7th 5 year plan

At STM’s May APAC seminar, Dr Shinichi Akaike of Japan’s Cabinet Office presented on the country’s Seventh Basic Plan for Science and Technology, released earlier in 2026. He set out the plan’s six pillars — including revitalising basic science, promoting open science, and enhancing international collaboration — against the backdrop of Japan’s declining share of…

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STM China Chapter Meeting: Navigating the New Ecosystem of Academic Publishing

On 15 June, the STM China Chapter convened at Tsinghua University Press (TUP), Beijing, under the theme ‘The New Ecosystem of Academic Publishing: the World and China’. The meeting brought together more than 80 publishers and scholars on international publishing trends, AI-driven research integrity tools, and the development of Chinese STM journal clusters. STM CEO…

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STM APAC & PubTech Conferences: AI, trust, and collaboration

STM were co-hosts of the PubTech and STM APAC Conferences last month in Beijing. The two events attracted more than 300 delegates from across 13 countries and regions, recognising the increasingly important role the Asia Pacific region plays in shaping the future of global scholarly communication. The 4th PubTech Conference, hosted by CNPIEC in partnership with…

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