Vice President, Global Production, Sage
|
|
 |
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, and what did you study? Where are you currently based?
I’ve worked in academic publishing for more than 24 years, with experience across a wide range of formats – from journals and books to videos, online courses, and design. My publishing journey began in the magazine world, writing and editing for women’s titles after completing a Journalism degree at Solent University. I live just outside London in the UK, and I continue to be inspired by the power of great content to inform, connect, and spark ideas.
Describe your current role and organization. What are your main responsibilities? What type of organization do you work for?
I’m Vice President of Global Production at Sage. Sage is an international academic publisher committed to advancing research and education around the world. I lead the global production teams responsible for journals, books, online products, video, and design, working to ensure that high-quality content is delivered efficiently and consistently across all formats. My role focuses on setting strategic direction, organization planning, and creating the conditions for our teams to work in connected and effective ways across regions.
Walk us through a typical day in your role. What challenges do you face? What opportunities do you encounter?
A typical day involves a mix of strategic planning, operational oversight, and team leadership. I review performance in accordance with our KPIs, ensuring that we are making strong progress and that our global teams are set up for success. I also meet with a range of colleagues, business owners, and team leads to align priorities, address challenges, and explore opportunities to improve efficiency and outcomes.
One of the key challenges in my role is balancing productivity with the need for flexibility. We manage complex, multi-format publishing pipelines across multiple regions, so ensuring consistency while remaining flexible to meet the needs of researchers and educators can be a challenge. Another challenge is managing the pace of change, whether that’s new tools and technologies, re-engineering workflows, and reimagining processes, there is a great deal of exciting experimentation going on and it can be a challenge to manage pace and prioritization.
At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities. I have the privilege of working with highly skilled teams and seeing the direct impact of our work on the global research and learning community. Production takes a leading role in driving innovation in workflows, experimenting with new approaches across different content types, and shaping how Sage delivers knowledge in a more integrated, efficient, and effective way. There’s also the ongoing opportunity to foster collaboration across regions, break down silos, and create a truly global production operation.
Share your journey in scholarly publishing. What was your first role in this field, and how did you land it? What path led you to your current position? What unexpected challenges have you faced?
My publishing journey began at a weekly women’s lifestyle magazine, where I joined as an assistant fresh out of university. It was a fast-paced environment where every week brought new challenges. I learned quickly by doing a little of everything — writing copy, designing layouts, supporting the press office. It was a junior role, but one that supported the whole team. Those early experiences taught me the value of creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and working under pressure.
I’ve always been inspired by the power of ideas to shape society, and that drew me to academic publishing. I started as a Production Editor at Taylor & Francis, before moving to Sage in a similar role. Over the past 23 years, it’s been incredible to be part of Sage’s growth and evolution. It’s also been a personal journey of acquiring new skills and expanding my comfort zone in ways I never imagined.
Can you share a memorable project, achievement, or pivotal moment in your career development? Was there a defining moment or influential person who shaped your career?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single defining moment in my career. I feel very lucky to have learned from so many incredible people along the way. Early on, a mentor through Sage’s mentoring scheme had a profound influence on me. She helped me see that leadership isn’t a rigid formula; it’s about being authentic, understanding your own strengths, and guiding others in a way that feels true to you.
I’ve also been inspired by leaders and peers outside my organisation whose openness, vulnerability, and energy make a real impact. What I love most is that learning happens everywhere, in conversations, collaborations, and simply observing those around me. That curiosity and drive to keep learning have been a constant motivator throughout my journey, shaping the way I lead and the way I continue to grow.
What tools, websites, and organizations are essential for your career growth? How do you stay updated with industry trends and developments?
Staying informed and connected is essential in academic publishing, both to anticipate industry trends and to continuously grow as a leader. I rely on a mix of professional organisations, industry publications, and digital tools. Organizations like SSP and the ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers) and the Publishers Association provide invaluable insight into publishing trends, best practices, and networking opportunities.
I love The Scholarly Kitchen and relevant LinkedIn communities, which help me understand shifts in research dissemination, technology, and workflow innovation. Within my own teams, I try to foster a culture of sharing insights and learning from one another, as much of the innovation in publishing comes from collaborative problem-solving and internal knowledge sharing.
In your experience, what skills or qualities are essential for success in scholarly communications?
In my experience, success in scholarly communications relies on a combination of both technical and interpersonal skills. At a fundamental level, strong attention to detail, project management, and organisational skills are essential, given the complexity of publishing workflows across journals, books, and digital products. Equally important, however, are the soft skills: the ability to communicate clearly, collaborate across teams and regions, and adapt to change.
Curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning are also key, as the publishing landscape is constantly evolving, from new technologies and platforms to changing researcher and reader expectations. To be an effective leader, I think you need to be able to combine strategic vision with the ability to empower teams, fostering environments where creativity, innovation, and quality can thrive. For me, it’s this balance of operational excellence, people-centred leadership, and a passion for advancing knowledge that defines success in scholarly communications.
What do you wish you knew more about in your field?
I’m always striving to stay on top of advances in AI, both across the publishing spectrum and in adjacent industries. There’s an enormous amount of innovation happening, and while I try to keep up, it’s a fast-moving field, and there’s always more to learn. I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I know everything, but that’s part of what excites me. This is an incredible time to explore, experiment, and understand how emerging technologies can shape the future of scholarly communication.
What future trends do you foresee in the field of scholarly publishing?
I see several exciting trends shaping the future of scholarly publishing. AI and automation are transforming how content is produced, edited, and disseminated, enabling more efficient workflows and creating opportunities to personalise and enhance the reader experience. At the same time, there’s a growing emphasis on open access and open science, which is reshaping business models and increasing the demand for transparency and wider dissemination of research.
I anticipate continued growth in multimedia and digital content, with videos, podcasts, and interactive materials becoming integral to how research is shared and understood. Alongside these technological and format changes, there will be an ongoing need to focus on global collaboration, inclusivity, and equity, ensuring that publishing serves researchers and learners across diverse regions and disciplines.
For me, the most exciting part is the opportunity to lead teams in navigating these shifts by experimenting with new approaches, embedding innovation into workflows, and ultimately ensuring that high-quality research reaches and impacts audiences worldwide.
What motivates you in your work? What keeps you passionate about your role in scholarly publishing?
It’s the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the dissemination of knowledge. I’m inspired by the idea that academic publishing builds bridges to knowledge. As scholarly publishers, we enable researchers, educators, and learners to access high-quality information that can inform, challenge, and change thinking. That’s incredibly motivating to be in an industry of ideas that change the world. On a personal note, my family has benefited from medical breakthroughs that were made possible by the research and advancements published in leading scholarly journals. I’m forever inspired by the impact our publishing has in the world around us.
I’m also driven by the people I work with. Leading talented, committed teams across different regions and helping them grow, collaborate, and innovate is hugely rewarding.
How do you balance your professional and personal life? Any fun facts or hobbies outside of scholarly communications?
I love to travel, and I’m fortunate that I get to do that as part of my working life and my personal life. I love hiking and being in nature. I try my hand at amateur mycology whenever I get the opportunity. I have two young children, and I try hard to strike a good work/life balance.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals in scholarly communications?
My advice would be to embrace curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning. The field is constantly evolving, so staying informed and adaptable is key.
I’d also encourage developing both technical and interpersonal skills. Understanding the mechanics of publishing, production, and project management is essential, but equally important is the ability to communicate clearly, collaborate across teams, and lead with empathy and authenticity.
Finally, seek out mentors, peers, and professional networks. Learning from others’ experiences and perspectives not only accelerates your growth but also helps you navigate challenges and uncover opportunities. Scholarly publishing is ultimately about connecting people with ideas, so the more you engage with the community, the richer and more rewarding your career will be.
Career Stage: Established (15+ years)
Industry Area: Publishing
