Speaking of the same place: San Diego Chula Vista. Beautiful climate, sub-optimal time zone for a largely East Coast crowd. The working theory is that the three-hour shift hit people harder than expected, and the late-night bar scene was somewhat quieter than your average SSP. (Though some delegates found their second wind, or so I’m told.)
I was thrilled to see Silverchair take home three EPIC Awards, a genuinely proud moment for the team and a reflection of the work we've been doing with our publishing partners. And while the EPIC Awards are the official recognition, I'd argue the Silverchair marketing team also claimed an unofficial title: swag champions, for at least the second year running. Last year's scholarly scented candles set a high bar, but this year's cheeky hats more than held their own. The people have spoken, one hat at a time (or sometimes two!).
Unsurprisingly, AI dominated both the formal program and the hallway track. The sessions I heard most praised, though, were the ones that had nothing to do with AI, a reaction that tells its own story about how saturated the conversation has become. Still, the industry is genuinely grappling with the moment, and that showed in the quality of the discussions.
If I had to capture how publishers are feeling about AI right now, I'd land on "existential FOMO." There's a palpable sense of liminal urgency: everyone knows something significant is underway, but no one can say with confidence where it leads. The practical manifestation of this is a rush to implement MCPs, often before a real-world use case has fully materialized, driven more by the desire to establish an AI licensing revenue stream than by a comprehensive understanding of how AI changes, and will change, researcher needs. At the same time, the publishers closest to the reality of AI tend to be the most skeptical. But even the skeptics are honest enough to be skeptical of their own skepticism, which might be the most intellectually rigorous place anyone can stand right now.
Research integrity held its rightful place in the program, and that's as it should be. The industry is making real progress, but the solutions remain fragmented. There's a general expectation that the current proliferation of tools, with new entrants appearing almost weekly, will eventually consolidate around a set of best practices and integrated approaches. Until that happens, many publishers are still absorbing a significant volume of non-viable submissions and genuinely asking for help.
The growing impact of Chinese research was another thread that ran through multiple conversations. Both the scale of Chinese research investment and the policy environment around it are reshaping the global ecosystem in ways that are hard to ignore. It was genuinely encouraging to see publishers who have navigated this landscape well sharing what they've learned with the broader community.
My Silverchair colleagues found SSP to be equally valuable and invigorating:
- Hannah Heckner Swain, VP of Strategic Partnerships: “SSP afforded me the opportunity to have key catch-ups with our partners to move the ball on our integrations, or deepen our working relationships. The spirit of innovation was certainly in the air, and I really enjoyed hearing about new initiatives in the bot monitoring space, as well as getting insights towards how traditional open access outlets are rethinking their philosophies given the new usage coming to their platforms.”
- Deja Forte, Customer Success Manager: “SSP was an incredibly impactful experience filled with thoughtful conversations, innovative ideas, and meaningful connections. From discussions around AI and engagement to the future of scholarly publishing, every session offered valuable insight. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to speak alongside Anne, Ginny, and Jennifer and be part of such an important conversation. Leaving SSP feeling inspired, energized, and excited for what’s ahead for our industry.”
- Emilie Delquié, Chief Product & Customer Success Officer: “So proud of the team members who worked on the initiatives that led to the 3 EPIC awards. They capture our deliberate and genuine investments in AI, community building, and ScholarOne's future.
- Audrey Grey, Senior Account Manager, Customer Success: “SSP Annual Meeting is always a great opportunity to connect with clients and with each other while discussing the most pressing issues of the industry.”