Director, Publishing Technologies, Canadian Science Publishing
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Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, and what did you study? Where are you currently based?
I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where I continue to live today with my husband and our mini Goldendoodle, Max. Fun fact: Ottawa is Canada’s capital city and is known for its rich history, beautiful green spaces, and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transforms into the world’s largest skating rink each winter. Stretching over 7.8 kilometers, the canal welcomes thousands of skaters every year during the Winterlude festival, making it one of Ottawa’s most iconic attractions.
Describe your current role and organization. What are your main responsibilities? What type of organization do you work for?
Canadian Science Publishing (CSP) is an independent, not-for-profit leader in mobilizing science, making sure it is easy to discover, use, and share. Featuring content from a global community of researchers, CSP is Canada’s largest publisher of peer-reviewed science journals. CSP publishes 23 journals that cover the spectrum of natural and physical sciences and engineering, including three open access journals that are interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary.
As the Director of Publishing Technologies, I oversee the technical aspects of our peer review, publishing, and payment platforms, manage our third-party tools, lead our technology configurations and system implementations, XML standards and workflows, metadata management, and content discovery and indexing.
Walk us through a typical day in your role. What challenges do you face? What opportunities do you encounter?
My day usually starts by checking email and our systems to see if any issues require immediate attention. I then typically dive into a series of meetings, which can range from internal project discussions to calls with account managers and/or demos of new products or services. When I am not in meetings, you’ll likely find me preparing or providing technical input for our internal processes and workflows, strategic projects, and/or initiatives.
Publishing technology is changing so quickly that it’s important to stay informed about the latest products, services, best practices, and standards. At the same time, the role gives me the chance to innovate, improve workflows, implement new technologies, and enhance the publishing experience for both our authors and internal teams.
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?
I began my career as a Desktop Publishing Technician for the National Research Council of Canada in 2000, where I was responsible for typesetting journals in the Production department. In 2005, when we introduced an XML-first workflow, I served as the production support lead until 2009, when I became Production Manager, overseeing the production of the entire suite of journals. In 2010, we transitioned out of the Canadian Federal government to form what is now Canadian Science Publishing. Since then, I have held two roles within Production and Technology: Manager, Production and Vendor Management, and my current role as Director of Publishing Technologies.
What tools, websites, and organizations are essential for your career growth? How do you stay updated with industry trends and developments?
To support my professional growth and stay current with industry trends, I read The Scholarly Kitchen, attend webinars and conferences, and engage with organizations such as SSP, STM, and ALPSP. I also follow updates from publishers and technology providers to remain informed about new tools, best practices, and emerging standards in scholarly publishing. I actively seek insights and advice from the professional networks I have built over the years, which continue to be a valuable source of learning and support.
What motivates you in your work? What keeps you passionate about your role in scholarly publishing?
What motivates me in my work is the opportunity to continually improve and innovate. I am passionate about creating efficient workflows, implementing new technologies, and finding ways to ensure that content is discoverable and accessible to the research community. Collaborating with talented colleagues and contributing to projects that directly impact authors and readers keeps me engaged and inspired.
I am deeply committed to mentorship and take great satisfaction in supporting the growth and development of colleagues and emerging professionals, particularly those in Production and Technology roles, where I can offer meaningful guidance and support. Given that positions like mine are relatively specialized in Canada, I aim to assist others who are exploring or beginning their careers in this industry.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals in scholarly communications?
My advice would be to actively engage with the community as much as you can. Join professional groups, attend webinars, participate in meetups, and advocate for yourself to attend conferences. Finding a mentor who can offer guidance and share their experience is essential. You can also volunteer on a committee or working group to gain experience, build your network, and learn from others in the industry. All of this can seem daunting if you are new to scholarly communications, but it is well worth the effort, I promise.
Career Stage: Established (15+ years)
Industry Area: Publishing, Technology
