Introducing Trends 2030

A Voyage Into The Unknown: Navigating Shifts, Propelling Discovery

This year’s STM Trends explores the profound shifts, changes, and tensions shaping scholarly communications in 2030. We recognize four key drivers that are operating at the same time and that impact one another: geopolitical shifts, challenges to scientific authority, shifts in research funding, and the transformative influence of AI on research and scholarly communication.

While shifts and changes introduce turbulence and uncertainty, the technologies that are now coming online also carry tremendous potential to amplify and accelerate humankind’s quest for knowledge – inviting us to imagine new possibilities as horizons are pushed outward.

The Trends visual uses space exploration as a metaphor for the pursuit of knowledge. The spacecrafts represent the actors in this endeavour in their full diversity. While some go at it alone, the space station exemplifies the collaborative spirit in propelling scientific discovery.

The journey is not without challenges. Solar flares represent turbulence and disruption, and meteors and asteroids present more imminent threats and challenges. A black hole reminds us of what is at stake if we fail to preserve core values like transparency, quality, ethics, and integrity.

If we get it right, there is a much more positive destination: The constellation Sagittarius, which stands for discovery and knowledge – but also embodies adventure and serves as a reminder that humans are storytellers at heart.

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If you’re an STM member, we welcome you to request a Trends 2030 presentation to facilitate future-forward discussions and ideation at your organisation.

STM Trends 2030 Presentation Request (#26)

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