Insights from London Book Fair 2025: At the Intersection of Education and Technology

By Mark Collins, Director of Academic, Virtusales – Gold Sponsor at University Press Redux Conference 2025

The landscape of academic and scholarly publishing is undergoing significant transformations, driven by technological advancements, economic pressures, and evolving educational demands. These shifts are reshaping how publishers operate, connect, and deliver content. At the London Book Fair's Academic and Professional Publishing Conference this year, industry leaders from Oxford University Press, Elsevier, and Edinburgh University Press joined Virtusales to explore these dynamics; sharing invaluable insights into how their publishing houses’ strategies are adapting to succeed amid rapid industry change and what the future holds.

Edinburgh University Press: Community for Growth and Resilience

Nicola Ramsey, CEO of Edinburgh University Press, highlighted the economic challenges facing mid-sized university presses, outlining the proactive steps being taken to address these obstacles. Despite the precarious state of the UK higher education sector, where 75% of universities may soon be in debt due to declining international student enrolments, Ramsey underscored the importance of innovation for growth and sustainability.

Emphasizing the vital importance of community, both within EUP and across the academic publishing sector, Ramsey noted how initiatives such as ECR advisory boards and industry collaborations like Even UP and Open UP are creating a cooperative environment for shared learning, advice and resource pooling. EUP’s strategic expansion into growing educational markets like Asia and the Middle East also helps to sustain growth and enhance reach, even as budget cuts impact libraries in the US and UK.

Although the transition from print to digital remains challenging—particularly due to reliance on third-party platforms for minimal ebook returns and the scalability issues of Open Access models—EUP is innovating and actively adapting to meet evolving industry demands.

Elsevier: Embracing Technological Change in Medical Education

As the pace of technological advancement accelerates, Madelene Hyde, Vice President of Global Medical Education and Local English Language Content at Elsevier, outlined how technology is reshaping the education landscape. With medical information doubling approximately every 73 days, Elsevier’s focus is on the creation of personalized learning and interactive resources, and leveraging AI to improve content delivery, workflow efficiency, and content accessibility. Stressing that publishers need to adapt swiftly to technological changes to future-proof their businesses, Hyde expressed optimism about AI’s potential both in helping students to find the answers they are seeking and broadening language translations while paying heed to the ethical challenges and risks associated with generative AI.

Highlighting increasing competition from major players in spatial computing, Hyde explained how Elsevier is employing the latest innovations such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Reality (AR) to remain at the forefront of the industry, ensuring legacy content evolves to meet students’ demand for engaging, efficient formats. This tech-driven approach keeps Elsevier competitive amidst the rise of digital education start-ups, emphasizing the need for trusted, quality content that guarantees accuracy.

Oxford University Press: Core Principles and Technological Partnerships

John Campbell, Product Strategy Director of the Academic Division at Oxford University Press emphasized the importance of grounding technological innovations in core principles—trust, impact, and value. With digital revenues now making up 80% of OUP’s income, Campbell highlighted AI’s strategic role in enhancing human expertise, streamlining processes, boosting product engagement and feedback loops, and developing new services.

Balancing budget constraints with its core values and stakeholder expectations, OUP is partnering with big tech companies and integrating its content into third-party digital platforms from smartphones to search engines like Google and Bing. Additionally, AI-overlay technologies enhance its high-trust, high-engagement platforms and improve user experiences; all while maintaining rigorous standards for content accuracy that align with its commitment to transparency and data privacy.

Conclusion: Adapting Through Innovation

The London Book Fair’s Academic & Professional Publishing Conference provided a vivid snapshot of how publishers are navigating significant change. Our speakers emphasized the fundamental importance of innovation, community, and technological advancements amid mounting economic pressures and evolving educational demands. Each institution is leveraging its strengths to adapt and thrive, underscoring the potential of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies as assistive allies in enhancing delivery, accessibility and engagement. In this way, publishers are embracing innovation to both tackle current complexities and prepare for the future, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability we are all capable of.

If you’d like to explore these insights further, sign up to read the full article, Navigating the Future of Publishing on our website which offers more insights on the discussions and strategies shared, and the key takeaways for publishers.

Our academic and scholarly community continues to grow. Visit the Virtusales website to find out why BiblioSuite is the chosen system for university presses, or contact us today to find out how it can support your publishing challenges and goals.

About Virtusales

Virtusales is a trusted partner in publishing technology, renowned for its industry-leading BiblioSuite software. Our solutions transform workflows and optimize business processes for respected academic and scholarly publishers like Elsevier, Oxford University Press, Sage, Harvard University Press, the MIT Press, and Princeton University Press. Our intuitive, cloud-based system is developed through continuous improvement and close collaboration with our customers. We regularly add new features to keep pace with the industry, ensuring our users are equipped with innovative tools and insights to thrive both now and in the future. Discover why you should join our growing community and hear what our clients say about BiblioSuite on our website. Visit Publishing Software for University Presses for more information or request a demo today to discover how Virtusales can elevate your publishing potential.

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About the Author

Mark Collins, Director of Academic, Virtusales

Director of Academic at Virtusales, Mark Collins has worked in the publishing industry for over 25 years. He has worked with a number of global publishers, respected independents, and academic and scholarly publishers implementing our BiblioSuite publishing software. Prior to Virtusales, Mark worked in a range of roles for prominent publishers including Wiley, implementing and delivering global technology solutions to their businesses.

 

About University Press Redux 2025

The 6th ALPSP University Press Redux returns as an in-person event on 3 & 4 April 2025, in partnership with Oxford University Press.

 

 

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Harnessing Tech for Scholarly Impact: Five Ways Systems Empower Academic & Scholarly Publishers

By Mark Collins, Virtusales Publishing Solutions – Silver Sponsor of the University Press Redux Conference 2024.

At the London Book Fair this year, Virtusales Publishing Solutions hosted a panel at the Research & Scholarly Publishing Forum, exploring the evolving landscape of academic and scholarly publishing. The session offered a platform for sharing insights and strategies, shedding light on the latest trends and challenges shaping academic publishing today. Among the mission-critical themes discussed, technological advancement emerged as a key driver of transformation in the publishing industry. As Jim Ramage, Elsevier’s Senior Director, Software Engineering, commented during the panel, technology has the capacity to benefit stakeholders across the supply chain, including authors and readers: 

“All aspects of the publishing cycle — end-to-end — can be speeded up, enhanced, automated, and can take out costs. That benefits all stakeholders in the industry, absolutely everyone, and that's a positive thing.”  Jim Ramage, Senior Director, Software Engineering, Elsevier.

In this rapidly changing environment, more and more publishers are moving from incumbent suppliers and systems to advanced, publishing-specific software designed to drive efficiency and innovation; ultimately enabling them to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to industry demands as they emerge. But with so many systems ‘out there’, how can you tell the progressive apart from the disruptive? And what does progressive technology look like today?

Here are some pointers to consider:

1. Unification: Streamlining Workflows for Enhanced Efficiency

One of the primary advantages of advanced systems is their ability to unify workflows, providing a comprehensive solution for managing all types of products. By consolidating all their publishing processes into a single platform, publishers can streamline operations, increase visibility of data and assets, and make informed decisions across the publishing lifecycle. Unification not only enhances efficiency but fosters collaboration and innovation company wide.

2. Digital Asset Workflows: Facilitating Collaboration and Task Management

Advanced systems offer robust Digital Asset Management (DAM) capabilities, enabling publishers to effectively store, manage, transform, and share assets across departments. By combining and centralising data and assets within a single system, publishers can streamline processes, improve scheduling and task management, and ensure the secure storage and accessibility of vital resources. This integrated approach enhances productivity and accelerates the publishing process, driving better outcomes for publishers and business partners alike.

3. Full Integration: Maximising Sales Opportunities through Seamless Data Exchange

Seamless integration with various systems is another key feature of advanced publishing solutions. By facilitating the sharing, tracking, and reporting of critical information, advanced systems optimise data exchange to maximise sales opportunities. From product metadata to peer reviews and subsidiary rights, advanced systems enable publishers to share data seamlessly, and create tailored content (including AI sheets, ONIX feeds, reports and more) to meet third party requirements, strengthening relationships and ultimately driving revenue growth and market expansion. Flexible reports engines that can output a variety of industry standard formats and APIs also aid integration across your systems landscape, accelerating communication and saving time and resources.

4. Artificial Intelligence: Accelerating Operations and Enhancing Productivity

Advanced systems leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate operations and enhance productivity across the publishing lifecycle. From generating keywords to suggesting and editing copy text (from summarising descriptions to specific word counts and improving grammar, to facilitating translations, tagging images, and reworking copy for different markets and regions), AI acts as an assistive tool that can automate repetitive tasks, reduce manual effort, and unlock new possibilities for content dissemination. By adopting software that embraces responsible AI, publishers can ensure the security of their data and IP, save time and reduce costs, positioning themselves for success in a competitive market.

5. Continual Development: Future-Proofing Publishing Operations

Continual development is a hallmark of advanced systems, ensuring that publishers have access to the latest technology and tools. Some systems vendors offer inclusive upgrades as well as ongoing support, minimising disruption associated with the implementation of new technology, drastically reducing the need for training, and helping publishers to adapt to evolving industry trends seamlessly. This commitment to innovation empowers publishers to stay ahead of the curve, embrace the latest cutting-edge technology at the earliest opportunity, and future-proof their operations for long-term success.

Conclusion

Advanced systems play a pivotal role in empowering academic and scholarly publishing, enabling publishers to navigate industry challenges with confidence and agility, and embrace new opportunities as they emerge. By unifying workflows, centralising data and assets, ensuring full integration with internal systems, leveraging AI, and embracing continual development, publishers can transform their businesses, driving efficiency, innovation and growth in an ever-changing landscape.

About BiblioSuite

BiblioSuite is the system of choice among leading academic and scholarly publishers including Elsevier, Bloomsbury Academic, Mohr Siebeck and Sage Publishing, along with esteemed university presses such as Oxford, Harvard, Princeton, The MIT Press, and Edinburgh. If you're interested in learning more about how BiblioSuite can support your publishing endeavours, visit the Virtusales website. 

Read more about our LBF Research & Scholarly Forum panel plus customer success stories via the following the following links:

● Innovating Responsibly: AI Prototypes in Publishing

● Opportunities and Inconvenient Truths: Academic Insights from LBF’s Research & Scholarly Forum 2024 

● Revolutionise your publishing experience with BiblioSuite for Scholarly and Academic Publishers 

● The MIT Press consolidates six systems into BiblioSuite to optimise operational performance 

● Ohio State selects BiblioSuite to unify its book and journal workflows 

● Wilfrid Laurier University Press  selects BiblioSuite for enhanced funding management and reporting 

● University of Illinois Press adopts BiblioSuite to unify its publishing workflows

● Agent of Change: The Role of Technology in Publishing 

About the Author

Mark Collins, Director of Academic, Virtusales Publishing Solutions

Mark Collins has worked in the publishing industry for over 20 years with a number of global publishers, respected independents and academic and scholarly publishers implementing Virtusales' BiblioSuite publishing software. Prior to that, Mark worked at other publishers in a range of roles, including Wiley where he worked on implementing and delivering global technology solutions to the business.

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https://twitter.com/Virtusales 

About University Press Redux 2024

The 5th ALPSP University Press Redux returns as an in-person event on 15 & 16 May 2024, in partnership with Edinburgh University Press. This is part of EUP’s 75th anniversary celebrations and will be held at the John McIntyre Conference Centre, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Book your place.

Highlights from the 2018 University Press Redux Conference: A Sponsor's Perspective

Virtusales was delighted to sponsor the 2018 University Press Redux Conference, which was held at The British Library and completely sold out with an atmosphere that reflected it. Filled with lively discussions on policy, open access, disruptive innovation and the opportunities it presents, the importance of publishers providing genuine added value, and even Brexit and Trump.

In the opening keynote, Timothy Wright, CEO at Edinburgh University Press, presented the challenges for 2018 as: monographs, new models in print and distribution, ebooks, content, the skills gaps, open access, institutional support and the financial challenges facing the industry.

Richard Fisher from Yale University Press said that discoverability remains the number one challenge for most university presses and explained how marketing for individual titles has diminished but is still vital. Michael Jubb of Jubb Consulting reiterated this, stating that 50% of university press sales are sold through global retail channels such as Amazon, making it essential for content to be easily discoverable amidst the proliferation in formats, business models and retailers.

As a software supplier operating globally, we were particularly interested in the parallel session on Global, which looked at university presses outside of Europe, UK and USA. Another compelling topic was Digital, which was covered in the plenary session with Allison Belan from Duke University Press and Charles Watkinson from University of Michigan Press, chaired by Nicole Mitchell from University of Washington Press. The session included stimulating debate on the pros and cons of buying vs building systems and platforms. Allison explained that it is of utmost importance for university presses to understand and own their own content, data and business rules, and Duke’s decision to buy in technology expertise and systems allows the press to focus on what they are good at - creating content.

Author engagement and support was another recurring theme throughout the conference with an emphasis put on the need for publishers to add genuine value throughout the supply chain and for authors, contributors and stakeholders to recognise the value added. This was at the heart of Tuesday’s parallel session on Production where delegates heard from Andy Redman from Oxford University Press, Neil Clarke from CPI UK, Bret Freeman from LifeVroom, and Wednesday’s session on Commissioning with Simon Bell from Emerald Group Publishing, Brian Halley from University of Massachusetts Press and Katherine Reeve from Bath Spa University.

On the policy front, the requirement for all long form works to be available as open access in order to be eligible for the 2027 REF was by far the most impacting point mentioned, with Steven Hill from HEFCE suggesting how it could be achieved using different models such as Freemium, author pays, and mission orientated new university presses.

Closing Keynote: Richard Charkin

Finally, Richard Charkin from Bloomsbury Publishing gave an engaging closing keynote on academic publishing. Technology was mentioned in virtually all presentations, in one form or another, and it seems clear that publishers need its support now more than ever. It is essential for platforms and systems to be flexible enough to manage metadata at content, article and chapter level, bring efficiencies to the production process and supply chain, and liberate publishers so that they can focus on creating, curating and enriching content to engage with their consumers.

At Virtusales we are committed to streamlining publishers’ workflows and bring efficiencies to their business processes with innovative software, exceptional service and a collaborative approach. Our recent white paper looks at the current landscape of academic and educational publishing, some of the disruptions that publishers are facing in today’s arena and ways in which they can capitalise on the changing environment.

Virtusales Publishing Solutions is the creator of the Biblio suite of publishing software and works closely with some of the world's leading academic, scholarly, professional and trade publishers including Harvard University Press, Bloomsbury Publishing, Manchester University Press, Pearson Education, Penguin Random House, Hachette and Macmillan Publishers.

Find out more about Virtusales and the Biblio suite or request our white paper, please visit our website: www.virtusales.com
Follow us on Twitter: @virtusales 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtusales-publishing-solutions/

For further information on the University Press Redux conference and to access slides and audio from the event please visit: https://www.alpsp.org/UPRedux