Reflections from the Fall Conference Season: STM and the Frankfurt Book Fair
The past week was a dynamic and inspiring time for the global publishing community. Our Executive Director of Product & Market Strategy John Sheehy and Managing Director in Europe Philippe van Mastrigt had the pleasure of attending two major industry gatherings in Germany — the STM Annual Conference and the Frankfurt Book Fair — each offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of scientific communication and publishing at large.
STM Annual Conference: Science Diplomacy in Focus
This year’s STM (International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers) conference centered on the timely theme of science diplomacy: the use of scientific collaboration and expertise to foster international cooperation and address shared global challenges.
Sessions explored how science diplomacy operates at the intersection of research, technology, and foreign policy, through three key lenses:
- Diplomacy for science: Facilitating international research partnerships through diplomatic channels.
- Science for diplomacy: Using collaboration in science to build trust and strengthen global relationships.
- Science in diplomacy: Informing policy decisions with reliable, evidence-based insights.
The conversations underscored the importance of global collaboration in tackling issues that transcend borders — from climate change to pandemic preparedness to nuclear non-proliferation. It was both a reminder and a call to action for publishers to continue playing a central role in the free and ethical exchange of scientific knowledge.
The Frankfurt Book Fair: Reconnecting and Reimagining
Just one day later, the energy shifted from scientific diplomacy to industry celebration at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s leading venue for printed and digital content. Publishers, authors, and cultural innovators from across the globe came together to share ideas, form partnerships, and close deals.
The Frankfurt Book Fair is a true colossus in the publishing world, with vast halls teeming with activity. Every corridor buzzes with purposeful movement and collaboration. With a dozen of our client companies in attendance, primarily in the academic and scholarly world, this year's event provided a wonderful opportunity for us to engage with teams from AIR Business, Oxford University Press, Human Kinetics, American Medical Association, The IET, and many others.
Looking Ahead
From the thought-provoking discussions at STM to the buzz of the Frankfurt Book Fair, this season’s events reinforced one message: the publishing world continues to be a cornerstone of global connection, whether through science, diplomacy, or culture. We left Frankfurt feeling energized and optimistic about what lies ahead, and happy to have connected with so many of our clients.