Continuing the tradition of reflection on the Annual Meeting of the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), we invited the 2025 Fellowship winners to the Kitchen to share what they took away from this year’s event in Baltimore. Congratulations to all of this year’s Fellows!

Amanda Rogers, BioOne

My first impression walking into SSP’s 2025 Annual Meeting was the immediate sense of welcoming and belonging I felt within this community. I was struck by how genuinely open and welcoming our community is — from SSP veterans, to newcomers, and the 2025 Fellows cohort. People were eager to share their experiences, offer insights, and engage in meaningful conversations. This wasn’t the typical conference experience I’ve had in other industries, where networking and conversations felt transactional or closed off into exclusive cliques; it felt like I was among friends and a community that truly cares about each other and how we can advance scholarly publishing together.

The sessions I attended exceeded my expectations. I particularly enjoyed those focused on DEIA. The sessions were thoughtful conversations led by very knowledgeable people that challenged me to think critically and gave me incredible insight into how we can make scholarly publishing more inclusive and accessible. The facilitators created spaces where these conversations could happen productively, and I left with concrete ideas that I’m excited to implement in my own work.

Dr. David Shiffman’s keynote was delightful! As someone who shares his passion for sharks, science, and science communication, I was captivated by his presentation. What resonated most was his emphasis on building bridges between seemingly disparate communities, a task that I feel is increasingly important in our current global and national climate. His insights on finding common ground felt particularly relevant—not just for science communication, but for our broader work in scholarly publishing, where we constantly navigate between diverse stakeholder groups.

Dr. Shiffman’s message about authentic connection has stuck with me. It’s very easy to get caught up in trying to convince others of our perspectives rather than truly listening and finding shared values. His approach to science communication, meeting people where they are and building genuine relationships, offers a powerful model for how we might better engage with and serve our communities.

For next year’s Fellows, my advice would be simple: come with curiosity and openness. Some of my most valuable conversations happened in unexpected moments — waiting in line for coffee, perusing the exhibit hall during a break, or chatting after a session. I found that the SSP community rewards authenticity over agenda.

I’m absolutely planning to attend next year’s meeting. Beyond the opportunities for professional development, I’ve found a community that aligns with my values and aspirations. The relationships I’ve begun here feel like the foundation for meaningful collaborations and friendships that will extend far beyond annual meetings.

Julia Mullen, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Attending the SSP Annual Meeting as a Fellow was an incredibly rewarding experience, especially as my first industry conference. The opportunity to engage with a cohort of Fellows, whom I had collaborated with virtually for the past six months, added a layer of familiarity and support that made the transition to in-person interactions seamless. While virtual connections don’t always translate smoothly face-to-face, there was an instant, organic flow between us that carried over into how we engaged with the broader SSP community.

Coming from a background in books and conference proceedings, I was aware that SSP tends to be more journal-focused. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how many discussions resonated with my work. The themes of accessibility, existing and innovating in the industry, and scholarly communication transcend format, and I found myself drawing meaningful connections between the conversations at SSP and the evolving role of books in research dissemination.

One of the most thought-provoking moments that has been on repeat in my mind was David Shiffman’s Opening Keynote. I mean, who doesn’t want to think about sharks? Beyond the fascinating marine science, his message about breaking out of silos in scholarly communication struck a chord. In today’s rapidly shifting socio-political climate, we must rethink how we, as an industry, engage and communicate with audiences to prevent misinformation from filling the gaps. His emphasis on meeting people where they are, listening, and forming connections based on shared values reinforced the idea that scholarly publishing must evolve to remain impactful.

Throughout the conference, I was inspired by the collective commitment to moving research forward. Whether in conversations with Fellows, attendees, or panelists, there was a palpable sense of resilience and hope. The willingness to acknowledge daunting challenges, such as the implementation of AI, AI and copyright, early-career support, and the future of scholarly communication, while actively working toward solutions, was uplifting.

Overall, I left the SSP Annual Meeting not only with enhanced professional growth and valuable network connections but also with a reinvigorated commitment to contributing to scholarly publishing in meaningful ways. Whether within my organization or the broader industry, the connections I made, from early-career professionals to industry leaders, reinforced the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of research dissemination within my organization and beyond. This fellowship experience has truly deepened my appreciation for the role my work plays in advancing scholarly conversations, and I am eager to attend the SSP Annual Meeting in years to come!

Rachel Riffe-Albright, Eastern Kentucky University

Like gravitates towards like. This is as true in professional networks as it is in friendships, and to reach out, to establish a meaningful connection with others who aren’t like us takes effort, a deep understanding of ourselves, and joy in mentally discarding our academic regalia and power suits. When I was offered my position as Eastern Kentucky University’s health sciences librarian, I immediately pulled out of the other searches (all R1) and stuffed my brand-new master’s hood and dreams of getting a squishy PhD hat into the back of my closet. I very rarely take them out, as I quickly learned that conveying that version of myself every day doesn’t serve my community. Or me.

What I appreciated about SSP’s conference is that many successful people seem to feel the same way. This year’s fellows cohort is diverse and unilaterally brilliant — Constantin can speak four languages (you have to wheedle that out of him), several of them have doctorates, and Mikayla is interning at Yale University Press. Each of them is driven, competitive, and kind. Nearly everyone I met could be similarly described. Yes, there were several instances when folks would see my institution’s location and flinch, but they softened as we chatted.

From my perspective, SSP’s 2025 conference was about acknowledging communication gaps and professional silos; I’ve often described higher ed and publishers as snakes eating each other’s tails. I left the conference with an enhanced understanding that we don’t exist in a vacuum — the town and gown divide has implications beyond community PR woes. I adored David Shiffman’s answer to this — science is magical and fun and should be shared with everyone in as many modalities as possible. He takes his work beyond sharks are cool, to sharks are essential and he makes you believe him. Even if you’re a tough sell. Someone said that blood isn’t cool like sharks — but it is. My greatest joy is sitting down with a student and explaining why this paper about a treatment for vaso-occlusive events (a blood flow complication) is in fact very cool for their brother with Sickle Cell. I am enamored of and enchanted by the knowledge scholars create and publishers disseminate and I’m not alone.

The wonderful thing about attending SSP 2025 was discovering the common ground: most folks take passionate ownership of their work. Platforms like Kudos tickle me to death because I see new ways to encourage my students and faculty. My taking part in the Scholarly Publishing Shark Tank event was the equivalent of drawing with crayons while the adults in the room worked, yet I still had fun with everyone. I chose a committee, and they’re thrilled to have recruited a librarian. In a space that could feel adversarial, SSP chooses genuine connection.

I can’t thank the fellows program and greater SSP community enough for giving me the opportunity to attend this year’s conference, and I hope to see ya’ll again next year!

Eleonora Colangelo, Frontiers

Although the SSP Annual Meeting wasn’t the first industry gathering I have attended, it was certainly the most spectacular and rewarding to date. From the flawless organization to the serendipitous hallway conversations and the outstanding quality of the panels, everything at the SSP Annual Meeting spoke the language of excellence, commitment, and inclusivity. The funny badge ribbons handed out at registration — now proudly hanging in my office — will always remind me of the experience and the warmth of this vibrant community.

The sessions I attended exceeded my expectations, especially those exploring the intersection of scholarly communication and public affairs. I was particularly drawn to discussions around government policy shifts and research integrity — topics close to my heart. These weren’t just presentations, but thoughtful, critical conversations led by people whose insights challenged me to reflect more deeply on how we can make scholarly publishing more resilient, sustainable, and future-proof. But also more excellence-oriented. Indeed, this pursuit of excellence was even subtly echoed in the setting itself, with the line etched into one of the mirrors at the Hilton in Baltimore: “Why be less when you can B’more?”. A playful nod to the city’s name, but also a fitting motto for the mindset this meeting inspired.

One takeaway that will stay with me is the phrase: “Discouraged, but not dissuaded,” as crystallized in Heather Staines’ words. I had the privilege of experiencing Heather’s forward-looking ethos firsthand during the President’s Early Career Roundtable, which turned out to be one of the most transformative moments of the conference for me. Being invited to share what the future of scholarly publishing means was both humbling and energizing. The alchemy of that exchange — with Heather and so many outstanding colleagues — and the enduring passion shown by SSP’s leadership, past and present, is something I’ll carry with me for a long time.

If I had to sum up the sentiment I left with in one word, it would be: curiosity. Curiosity for what we’ll be exploring next year in Chula Vista. Curiosity for the new voices and energies that will shape our field. And curiosity, like that of a captivated moviegoer, eager to see what the ‘sequel’ will bring.

Constantin Singh, Thieme Medical Publishers

Attending the 2025 SSP Annual Meeting in Baltimore was truly a special experience. What stood out most to me was the incredible sense of global community — people from all corners of the world came together, united by a shared passion for scholarly publishing. You could genuinely feel how much love, dedication, and hard work had gone into making this event happen. It wasn’t just a conference; it was a celebration of the people, values, and innovations that define our field.

I was especially inspired by the panels focused on research integrity and the exciting innovations in AI shaping the future of scholarly publishing. Of course, one of the most meaningful parts of the meeting was finally connecting in person with the other SSP Fellows. After working together for six months, it felt less like an introduction and more like a reunion with old friends.

My advice to next year’s Fellows: be open to everything! Explore the vendor booths, ask questions during panels, and do not hesitate to introduce yourself to someone new. You belong here just as much as anyone else. As for me, I can say with certainty that this was the first of many SSP Annual Meetings. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting new ones next year in Chula Vista!

Ana Lewis, Society of Interventional Radiology

I didn’t expect a professional conference to feel like I found my people and my place, but that’s exactly what happened at this year’s SSP Annual Meeting. As a 2025 Fellow, my biggest takeaway wasn’t just what I learned but also who I met. The camaraderie and connection were truly unmatched. I gained lasting, professional relationships with not only my cohort but also my wonderful mentor, along with a network of professionals in the industry who offered insight, encouragement, and genuine support. That innate sense of community is something that I’ll continue to value beyond the span of the conference itself.

What surprised me the most was the amount of programming geared toward society publishers and editorial staff, people like me who manage the daily operations of journals and publications alike. I wholeheartedly value the level of support available for our specific challenges, whether they are technical or interpersonal. When I fully grasped how many of us are navigating similar issues, that sense of shared experience made the conference even more impactful.

If I could give one piece of advice to next year’s Fellows, it would be this: Be open. Be open to new ideas, new people, and new ways of thinking. Say yes to conversations, even when they’re spontaneous or unexpected. That’s where the magic happens. As for me, I’d love to attend again next year. If I can make it happen, I’ll be there. SSP made a big field feel personal, and that’s something I want to keep being a part of. This conference was a wonderful reminder that publishing isn’t just a profession; it’s a shared mission.