Program
12 - 14 January 2026, Berlin
About the Event
Scholarly Communication at a Turning Point –
Time to Build What’s Next
Scholarly communication is not just changing, it’s being redefined.
- Researchers are navigating growing pressures on academic freedom.
- Libraries are transforming their role in a digitally progressive ecosystem.
- Publishers are trying to find a balance between infrastructure restraints and the need to innovate.
- Service providers need to remain relevant and keep up with the industry progression, or perish.
- AI is rewriting the rules of content creation, trust, and policy.
Be part of the conversation
When
12 – 14 January 2026
ESMT Berlin, Schlossplatz 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany
APE 2026 Satellite Event
Mind the Gap: AI in Publishing
A candid discussion around AI use in editorial processes
Monday , 12 January 2026
12:30 Welcome
13:00 - 16:00 Workshop
As AI increasingly shapes the peer review process and publishing work flows, it is vital to build mutual understanding between those who develop and apply AI tools in peer review (publishers and technology teams), those who experience them directly (authors, reviewers, and editors), and those who shape the policies around them (funders, institutions, and open science advocates). This workshop will bring these groups together to talk openly about what works well, what doesn’t and what needs further exploration. The workshop will encourage a candid discussion between stakeholders, facilitate exchange of real examples, and lead to practical recommendations for making AI use in publishing processes more transparent, fair, and trustworthy.
The session combines short publisher presentations showcasing contemporary AI-enabled workflows with flash talks from researchers across disciplines and career stages, followed by facilitated mixed group discussions designed to explore concerns, misconceptions, and opportunities for collaboration. Participants will co-create a “Gap List”, identifying where potential issues arise and propose concrete actions for improved transparency and engagement. The results will feed directly into the main APE conference session and serve as the foundation for a joint report or working group on responsible AI use in scholarly editing, review and other publishing processes.
Organizers:
Dr. Anke Beck, Frontiers, PA Europe, CH
Dr. Jess Rohmann, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, QUEST Center for Responsible Research, DE
⚠️ SOLD OUT – Registration Closed
This workshop has reached its capacity limit participants. Workshop findings will be presented during the main conference.
Full Conference
Scholarly Communication at a Turning Point – Time to Build What’s Next
Day 1
Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Day Moderation:
Jude Perera (Wiley)
09:00-09:45
Doors Open
Welcome Coffee
09:45-10:00
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Ingo Rother, CEO, Berlin Institute for Scholarly Publishing (BISP)
10:00-11:00
Opening Keynote
An Independent Publishing Industry:
The Case for Checks and Balances
Keynote:
Caroline Sutton (CEO, STM)
Data from the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer indicates that 63% of global respondents have trouble determining credibility of information and 25% approve of intentionally spreading disinformation to drive change. Against this backdrop and current geo-political currents, there should be wide agreement within the research and scholarly communications eco-system that it is critically important to protect and strengthen sources of validated knowledge, actively build trust in those sources, and protect self-correcting knowledge systems.
Key to this is recognising and continually evolving a system of checks and balances at an operational level and in the marketplace that prevent any single actor from dominating knowledge production. Framing the issue in terms of checks and balances brings attention to the fact that all actors in a system have interests and highlights the value of a diverse marketplace of publishers, including independent publishers, for building systemic legitimacy and ultimately in supporting democracy.
Caroline Sutton is CEO of the International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM). She co-founded Co-Action Publishing, a pioneer in Open Access, and was founding President of OASPA (2008-2021). She holds a PhD in Sociology from Uppsala University, Sweden.
11:00-12:00
Shaping the Future of Science:
A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue
Science today operates in a rapidly changing environment, where more traditional notions of academic excellence are being challenged by new expectations for openness, impact, and accountability. This panel will explore several dimensions of this shift shaping the future of research and scholarly communication. First, we ask what “excellence” should mean in the 21st century and how that concept is evolving across disciplines and contexts. Second, we examine research culture and the design of reward systems: how incentives can foster integrity, collaboration, and societal relevance, and what accountability looks like for stakeholders in the system. Finally, we turn to the dissemination of research, considering what role peer review and a consideration of audiences can and should play in the evolution of academic publishing.
Moderator:
Max Voegler (Elsevier)
Panelists:
Lorela Mehmeti (University of Bologna)
Paweł Rowiński (ALLEA)
Christopher Smith (AHRC / UKRI, Science Europe)
12:00-13:00
Lunch Time & Networking
13:00-14:00
Safeguarding Research: The Role of Academic Publishers in an Era of Political and Public Pressure
In an era where research increasingly faces political interference, threats to academic freedom, and widespread disinformation, the role of academic publishers extends far beyond traditional content dissemination. Publishers now serve as critical defenders of the integrity, accessibility, and credibility of scholarly knowledge—especially as researchers and institutions confront mounting pressures from authoritarian regimes, shrinking resources, and politicized narratives.
This panel brings together experts from academic freedom advocacy, global access initiatives, and scholarly publishing to explore how publishers can uphold and advance these responsibilities in challenging contexts. Dr. Ilyas Saliba will offer insights on protecting academic freedom and supporting researchers whose work is targeted by political or legal pressures. Sarah Phibbs will discuss the vital role of equitable access to knowledge through initiatives like Research4Life, addressing how publishers can contribute to global research solidarity amid structural inequalities. Louise Schouten will share strategies from the publishing industry perspective on safeguarding editorial independence, promoting transparency, and navigating ethical challenges in product development and peer review processes.
Together, the panel will discuss how academic publishers can responsibly support open research, defend scholars under threat, combat misinformation, and ensure that scholarly communication remains a trusted foundation for knowledge—even in politically charged environments. This session invites publishers and stakeholders to consider their evolving role as proactive allies in safeguarding research for the public good across borders and political divides.
Moderator:
Lou Peck (The International Bunch)
Speaker:
Ilyas Saliba (Research Fellow at the University of Erfurt, Chair of International Relations at the Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences)
Panelists:
Sarah Phibbs (Director, Equity & Inclusion, STM)
Louise Schouten (VP Product Development at De Gruyter Brill)
14:00-15:00
Changing Library Priorities in an AI World
How are AI tools reshaping libraries’ strategies, services, and workflows—and what kinds of content, platforms, and tools are libraries now seeking from publishers?
Moderator:
Dominique DeRoo (CSO, DeGruyter Brill)
Panelists:
Beau Case (Inaugural Dean of Libraries at the University of Central Florida)
Jin Jianbin (Director Tsinghua University Library /Professor at Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communication)
Iman Magdy Khamis (Director of Northwestern University in Qatar)
15:00-15:30
Coffee Break & Networking
15:30-16:45
From Access to Inclusion: Tackling Systemic Barriers in Global Scholarly Publishing
Open access is removing paywalls for readers, yet inequities in scholarly publishing remain. Editorial bias, language dominance, and the underrepresentation of scholars from the Global South on editorial boards continue to shape which voices and topics are visible in the global record. Financial practices also present barriers: waivers and discounts can be cumbersome, and engagement with Global South consortia in open access agreements is still limited. Improving equity means exploring new approaches — in both editorial and financial practices — that expand participation and strengthen scholarly publishing as a truly global, inclusive system.
Moderator:
Colleen Campbell (Max Planck Digital Library)
Speakers & Panelists:
Ncoza Dlova (Dean, School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Matthew Giampoala (Vice President Publications at the American Geophysical Association (AGU))
Glenn Truran (Executive Director, SANLiC)
16:45 - 17:15
Keynote
Beyond Open Access:
Building Justice in Scholarly Communication
Is Open Access sufficient? If we aspire to keep advancing scholarly communication, what should that future look like, who should shape it, and what will success look like?
We must acknowledge the considerable work that brought scholarly communication to its current state, where Open Access appears to thrive – or not – depending one’s vista. The generations who championed Open Access never imagined it as an endpoint, or as having reached its maximum potential. Instead, it challenges us to imagine better, reach further, and push boundaries.
Removing paywalls alone has not guaranteed equity. Questions of who controls scholarly infrastructure, linguistic diversity, cost distribution and how power flows throughout the system remain unresolved. True progress therefore requires us to address these structural factors directly.
For this, justice must be the essential foundation of our ambition.
Keynote:
Godwyns Onwuchekwa ()
17:30 - 18:00
The APE Award
The APE Award for Innovation in Scholarly Communication was born to celebrate the 18th birthday of the APE Conference in 2023. This prestigious accolade celebrates the pioneers who shape the future of academic publishing.
This award, supported by Digital Science, will be given to an individual who has brought innovation in scholarly communication to the community, whether through infrastructure, technology, or business models. This innovation may be through topic, theory, or practice.
The APE Award continues to champion innovation, bringing together visionaries from diverse backgrounds to redefine scholarly communication.
18:00 - 19:00
Pre-Dinner Reception
Join us for drinks and networking before the Conference Dinner. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and industry colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.
Location: ESMT
Light refreshments and drinks will be served.
19:30
Conference Dinner
Behrenstraße 42, Berlin Mitte
Due to limited seating only for invited guests and ticket holders.
Day 2
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Day Moderation:
Lou Peck (The International Bunch)
08:30-09:00
Doors Open
Welcome Coffee
09:00-10:00
Research Integrity in a Post-Truth Era –
New Challenges, New Tools
In a landscape of misinformation and AI-generated content, how do we safeguard research integrity?
In an era where AI can fabricate research at scale and misinformation moves faster than peer review, the foundation of scientific trust is under unprecedented threat. This high-stakes session confronts the crisis head-on. A leading publisher, a whistleblower, and a policy/industry voice join forces to expose how integrity breaks down – and what it takes to rebuild it.
We’ll cut through the noise with real cases, hard truths, and the emerging tools and alliances that can defend science when truth is no longer guaranteed.
Moderator:
Sami Benchekroun (Morressier / Molecular Connections Group)
Panelists:
Anna Abalkina (Freie Universität Berlin)
Miriam Maus (IOP Publishing)
Sonja Ochsenfeld-Repp (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG))
10:00-11:00
Uncharted Intelligence: AI, Policy, and the Global Reinvention of Scholarly Publishing
This dynamic session convenes leaders from tech giants, researchers, librarians, and publishers—both inside and outside the traditional scholarly sphere—to explore how AI is reshaping research communications worldwide. Panelists will spotlight bold projects, creative alliances, and transformative initiatives driving discovery, creativity, and equitable access, with ongoing policy developments providing context in the background.
Attendees will gain actionable insights into harnessing cross-sector innovation and collaborative strategies that disrupt, rebuild, and enable thriving scholarly publishing in an era defined by uncharted intelligence.
Moderator:
Jude Perera (Associate Director, Communication & Engagement, Wiley)
Panelists:
Richard Gallagher (President & Editor-in-Chief, Annual Reviews)
Lukas Pollmann (Lead Customer Engineer for publishers at Google Cloud Germany)
Sahar Vahdati (Professor of AI for Science, Leibniz University Hannover, TIB Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology, Group Lead of Nature-Inspired Machine Intelligence)
11:00-11:30
Coffee Break & Networking
11:30-12:30
Keeping the Humanities Visible in Scholarly Publishing
In academic publishing, many developments of recent decades have been driven by STM disciplines: from journal digitization and new business models to metadata standards, peer review best practices, and research funding principles.
Humanities publishers have both benefited from and been constrained by this evolution. While STM innovations have proven valuable, many requirements suited to STM have been imposed on humanities publishing and funding despite being a poor fit. This has created the misperception that humanities publishing is slow and not innovative—a view that, combined with beliefs about STM’s superior economic impact, has increased funding pressure on the humanities.
This session challenges these perceptions as not only unfair but fundamentally wrong. The humanities’ distinct pace reflects the specificities of these disciplines, which differ fundamentally from STM: focus on culture (language-sensitive) rather than global scope (with English as lingua franca); long discourses with extended lifecycles (where monographs excel) rather than short-lived discoveries (suited to journal articles); and emphasis on individual scholarship rather than collaborative research teams.
These differences must be recognized when evaluating and developing publishing and funding models for the humanities. Beyond raising awareness of the humanities’ distinct value and publication ecosystem, this session aims to develop practical solutions to these challenges.
Moderator:
Ove Kähler (CEO, Mohr Siebeck)
Panelists:
Barbara Budrich (Founder & Managing Director, Verlag Barbara Budrich)
Thed van Leeuwen (Professor, Monitoring Open Science Policies and Practices, Leiden University)
Christoph Markschies (President, Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities)
12:30-13:30
Lunch Time & Networking
13:30-14:30
Session:
Startups to watch – Innovators of tomorrow
Paul Foeckler (Blueberg)
14:30-15:00
Mind the Gap Workshop Report:
AI in Editing and Publishing Workflows: Gaps, Opportunities, and Next Steps
What happens when publishers, researchers, editors, funders, and open science advocates discuss AI in the same room? The pre-conference workshop “Mind the Gap: AI in Publishing” brought together diverse perspectives to explore what works, what doesn’t, and what needs further attention. This session presents the workshop’s core findings and the co-created “Gap List” – concrete recommendations for responsible AI use in scholarly editing and peer review.
Anke Beck (Frontiers)
15:00-15:30
Coffee Break & Networking
15:30-17:00
Science Publishing in Crisis:
Challenges and Solutions
Science relies on integrity and trustworthiness. But if disinformation and fake infiltrates the permanent scientific record of books and journals with the support of AI that even accelerates the fake, we have a fundamental problem in our “intellectual infrastructure”. It damages the scientific, medical and economic progress of our knowledge-based societies.
Several factors drive the publishing crisis: on the one hand – the pull-factor – a reputation economy where scientists under career pressure in a “publish-or perish” culture too often behave unethically using shortcuts to reach their goals (promotion, salary raises, reputation) by purchasing AI-generated fake publications with plagiarism, fake data, text and images. This demand is satisfied by different “push-factors”: ‘paper mills’ offering fake-publications for sale, by predatory journals and conferences, fake reviews, and even some publishers that do not stop this fraud effectively. The results are manifold: a rising number of low-quality and several hundred thousand fake publications per year, editor and reviewer fatigue, misguided or irreproducible experiments, disinformation and escalating publishing costs that devour funding from taxpayers intended for research.
Because it is high time to reform current publishing models to stop this unhealthy development, this session will present the consensus recommendations of an expert meeting held at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm in June 2025 and published in Royal Society Open Science (sciii-it.org/stockholm-declaration). A global plan was outlined with 34 action items within four topics: (i) Academia should resume control of publishing using non-profit publishing models (e.g. diamond open-access); (ii) Adjust incentive systems in academia to merit quality, not quantity, where the gaming of publication numbers and citation metrics distorts the perception of academic excellence; (iii) Implement mechanisms to prevent and detect fake publications and fraud which are independent of publishers; (iv) Draft and implement legislations, regulations and policies to increase publishing quality and integrity.
This session brings together perspectives from academia and the publishing industry in a constructive dialogue on practical solutions.
Dan Larhammar and Bernhard Sabel present the Stockholm Declaration’s recommendations. Steven Inchcoombe responds from a research publishing leadership perspective, outlining concrete industry initiatives against predatory publishers, paper mills, and enhanced quality control measures. All three speakers will have shared practical implementation proposals in advance to enable focused discussion.
Format: Three 15-minute presentations followed by 45 minutes of moderated discussion on collaborative approaches to restore integrity in scholarly publishing.
Ed Pentz (Executive Director, Crossref)
Dan Larhammar (Uppsala University – Sweden – Member & former President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences)
17:00-17:15
Closing Remarks & Outlook APE 2027
17:15
Closing Drinks
End the conference with informal drinks and final networking opportunities. Details coming soon.
Connect & expand your network.
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About The Event Organizer
Venue
ESMT Berlin – Schlossplatz 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany
APE 2024 is going to take place in the European School of Management and Technology, ESMT Berlin, on the perimeters of what once was the East German State Council first, and the Federal Chancellery after that. With its unique history, the ESMT Berlin is an exceptional location for the first publishing event in the New Year.