Events


centric, collaborative and pragmatic approach to the issue. The report, published by Information Power, is the outcome of a project funded by Wellcome and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on behalf of cOAlition S to inform the development of Plan S. During the project funders, libraries, publishers, and universities worked together to inform the development of a framework intended to provide information about OA services and prices in a transparent, practical, and insightful way. The framework provides opportunities for publishers to build better awareness of and appreciation by customers of the value of their services, and to demonstrate publisher commitment to open business models and business cultures. China’s rising fortunes were illustrated


by the appearance of Lin Peng of China Science Press, who have a warmly-received speech on the latest


“I was given


advance warning of a forthcoming event later this year that will surprise many. But my lips are sealed.”


developments and progress in Chinese publishing. China Science Press has recently purchased the French scholarly publisher EDP – and, notably, Lin refused to rule out the purchase of other European publishers, adding: ‘If you are willing to sell, and we can afford to pay, we are willing to have discussions.’


Publishing in China was never far from the thoughts of speakers or delegates, with some questioning whether China will end up developing its own publishing


Industry events in peril over Covid-19


There is widespread concern among organisers and attendees of industry events throughout the forthcoming year following the cancellation of a number of conferences due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Just a week before the doors


were due to open for the 2020 London Book Fair, the organisers of the Olympia event, Reed Exhibitions, decided to cancel the event – leaving travel plans in turmoil for many in the scholarly communications industry. A statement read as follows:


‘The effects, actual and projected, of Coronavirus are becoming evident across all aspects of our lives here in the UK and across the world, with many of our participants facing travel restrictions. ‘We have been following UK


government guidelines and working with the rolling advice from the public health authorities and other organisations, and so it is with reluctance that we have taken the decision not to go ahead with this year’s event. ‘We recognise that business


has to continue. With this in mind, we will of course support and collaborate with exhibitors and visitors to keep our world moving during this difficult period.


‘We thank all those from the UK and a multitude of other countries who have prepared over the last year to deliver what promised to be a wonderful book fair showcasing, as ever, the exciting best of the global book industry. The London Book Fair will return, better than ever, in 2021.’


Just a day later, it was announced that The Redux Conference 2020 is moving to the summer and will become an open, online event called Redux Online. The organisers – The


Association of Learned & Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) and Cambridge University Press – made the move to ensure the conference goes ahead. Those due to attend the


conference will be offered the choice between a full refund and putting their registration fee towards crowdfunding Redux Online, which be an open event available to anyone who wants to attend. Sponsors will be offered the chance to transfer their sponsorship across to the new event.


While details are yet to be


finalised, the event will involve recorded presentations followed by live debate. The plan is to


infrastructure, separate and independent of those in the west. But while the consistency and quality of the speakers in many ways define APE, it is so much more than that. CEOs, publishing directors, marketeers and more flock to this event (and it regularly sells out way in advance) because it is such a great talking shop and a chance for industry figures to catch up, chew the fat, argue, and collaborate. Personally, it’s a great way to keep


abreast of what’s going on, what’s going down, and what’s likely to happen in scholarly communications in the coming months and years. That’s never an easy thing to predict but APE is as good a place as any to take the temperature the industry. There’s gossip too… at one of the


networking breaks I was given advance warning of a forthcoming event later this year (Covid-19 notwithstanding) that will surprise many. But my lips are sealed.


retain as much of the original agenda and line-up as possible. Those shortlisted for the Redux Sustainability Award – new to this year’s event – will also be invited to give online presentations.


Mandy Hill, managing director of academic publishing at Cambridge University Press, said: ‘While it is hard to know how the next few weeks will play out, it seems certain that an event in March would be compromised and that would not be fair to those attending or to those unable to come through circumstances beyond their control. ‘Instead, we want to create


this alternative event to preserve the hard work that’s gone in and generate positive results from a difficult situation.


We are contacting all attendees, speakers and chairs and will keep them updated as details are agreed.’ Wayne Sime, chief executive of ALPSP, added: ‘This is chance to hold an exemplary virtual event, retaining the quality of the original and built in partnership with our fantastic international community. ‘We hope that many in that


community will want to help us make Redux Online a success and will allow us to use their registration fees to crowdfund the event. We will be holding another joint Cambridge University Press and ALPSP Redux conference in 2022 and we will hold the registration fee at current prices for any of this year’s attendees who choose to support Redux Online.’


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