Since the early 2000s, scholarly communication stakeholders have been exploring the potential of XML-first production workflows to streamline digital publishing and improve metadata management across the research ecosystem. If we were to travel "back to the future," what would we find in terms of how far we've come in implementing XML-based or similar digital-first production approaches? What past predictions could we still learn from today? And where are we headed? This panel-style session will bring together scholarly publishing stakeholders to address these questions and more. The discussion will focus on: • What the state of digital-first production is, including how it compares to early projections and opportunities and challenges moving forward. • Why digital-first or single-source production is critical to realizing more rapid research dissemination and consistent, rich metadata — both key to solving global challenges. • How to create a culture of innovation to support the development of digitally-driven production workflows. || Learning Level: Applied || Speakers: Bill Kasdorf; Brian Cody; Randy Townsend; Charles O'Connor

Join us as SSP President Miranda Walker recognizes the many dedicated volunteers that contribute to the success of SSP and reports on the activities and progress of the society. Winners of the Appreciation Award, Emerging Leader Award, and Distinguished Service Award will be announced and celebrated for their service and leadership. Fellowship winners will be recognized, and Generations Fund donors will be acknowledged for their support.

Bullying and harassment, whether overt or subtle, have no place in scholarly publishing. Yet many professionals across editorial offices, publishing organizations, and volunteer‑driven societies still encounter behaviors that undermine psychological safety, limit inclusion, and erode trust. In this recorded Town Hall, leaders from four major organizations—the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), the International Society of Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP), the International Society of Technical and Medical Editors (ISTME), and the Council of Science Editors (CSE)—come together for an open, solutions‑focused conversation on how our community can address these challenges with clarity, compassion, and shared purpose. The discussion explores what bullying looks like across professional settings, including social media and other digital communication spaces, workplaces, volunteer committees, conferences, and other interactions, and why addressing it is essential to maintaining integrity, equity, and excellence in our field. Panelists focus on the policies, practices, and cultural commitments these organizations are putting in place to foster respectful engagement and to support individuals who experience inappropriate behavior. Viewers will gain insight into constructive conflict resolution, bystander intervention, and leadership strategies that promote healthier team and community dynamics. The conversation also highlights opportunities for collaboration across societies to establish shared expectations for conduct and to strengthen accountability across the publishing ecosystem. This session offers practical tools and a united message: creating a safe and welcoming environment is everyone's responsibility—and it is achievable when we work together. This discussion will explore what bullying looks like across professional settings, including social media and other digital communication spaces, workplaces, volunteer committees, conferences, and other interactions, and why addressing it is essential to maintaining integrity, equity, and excellence in our community. Conversation will focus on the policies, practices, and cultural commitments these organizations are putting in place to foster respectful engagement and to support individuals who experience inappropriate behavior. Attendees will gain insight into constructive conflict resolution, bystander intervention, and leadership strategies that promote healthier team and community dynamics. The webinar will also highlight opportunities for collaboration across societies to establish shared expectations for conduct and to strengthen accountability across the publishing ecosystem. This session will provide practical tools and a united message for everyone: creating a safe and welcoming environment is everyone’s responsibility, and it is achievable when we work together.

In an era when the significance of mental health is gaining widespread recognition, cultivating an environment of awareness and support within organizations is imperative. This Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) webinar, titled "Nurturing Minds: Fostering Mental Health Awareness and Organizational Support," delves into the critical intersection of mental health and the workplace, with a particular focus on the scholarly publishing community. The session is part of the SSP initiative introduced in this Scholarly Kitchen post by SSP President Randy Townsend last fall. This the first in a series of free webinars being developed by a subcommittee of the SSP Mental Health Task Force. The session will open by addressing the prevalent stigmas surrounding mental health, shedding light on the importance of understanding and dismantling these barriers within the professional sphere. Participants will gain insights into the multifaceted nature of mental health challenges and their impact on overall well-being and workplace dynamics. An exploration of organizational resources and strategies will follow, emphasizing the role of employers in creating a supportive ecosystem. The webinar will showcase various initiatives, from employee assistance programs to mental health awareness campaigns, designed to cultivate an inclusive, supportive workplace culture that prioritizes mental well-being. Additional information about the SSP Mental Health Awareness initiative can be found on the SSP website.

Using strategic planning principles for your personal career can create direction, clarity, and focus that ultimately leads to a more successful career. This Interactive Session/Workshop focuses on strategies that university press professionals, in a wide range of career levels and job functions, can take to plan, manage, and advance their careers. We will explore principles of strategic planning, goal setting, prioritization, and more toward personal career development. We'll also discuss the SSP Skills Map and key skills that will be needed in 2030 and beyond; how these skills might differ for editorial, marketing, production, and management; the value of professional certification and advanced degrees for publishing professionals; and awareness of the need for publishing to be accessible and to include people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The strategies, tools, and action steps we'll explore in this interactive session will aid you in mentoring others, benefit your team and your organization, and help you to advance through the profession and achieve your goals. || Speakers: Randy Townsend; John W. Warren; Danielle Galian; Ashley Warren