UKSG One-Day Conference: London

This UKSG event was live streamed and recorded courtesy of IET.tv – the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s video production service. Click here to access the recordings.

Shrinking horizons? Scholarly communication in an anti-globalisation environment

In recent years the globalisation and open dissemination of research has been a hot topic in the knowledge community – exploring issues such as how we support research dissemination and consumption across borders through the lenses of increasing mobility, technological innovation and diverse global open access, open data and open science agendas.  In contrast the last 12 months have been characterised by a contraction in both political and economic terms.  What is the impact of government policy, politics and the funding environment on the vitality of the scholarly communication ecosystem?

The 2017 UKSG One-Day Conference brings together expert perspectives from the UK and beyond to explore how the world of scholarly communication as we know it is changing in response to the huge political upheaval of our time.

Programme

09.30    Registration and coffee

10.00    Welcome and introduction by the Chair
Kate Price, University Librarian, Queen Mary University of London

10.15    State of the sector: current issues and themes in UK higher education 
Ant Bagshaw, Deputy Director, Wonkhe

Abstract: What do changes in higher education policy mean for scholarly communications?  Ant Bagshaw from HE think tank Wonkhe will explore the changes afoot in UK HE and identify trends and themes impacting universities.  He will try to make sense of the complexity by exploring competition, compliance culture and the prospect of further change in the future.

10.45    What does Brexit mean for the UK universities?
John Ferguson, Director of Global Forecasting, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Abstract: Brexit will dominate the outlook for the UK economy in the coming years.  Negotiations are currently ongoing, but what type of Brexit will we have?  Are we headed for a ‘hard’ Brexit or a transitional agreement?  How will this impact the UK economy over the next five years and what are the risks to this forecast?  Brexit also poses challenges for the UK university sector, especially related to funding uncertainty and expectations over student enrolments.  However, there will also be opportunities.  How these are exploited will be the determining factor of Brexit’s impact on UK higher education institutions.

11.15    Coffee

11.45    ‘The empires of the future are the empires of the mind’: defining the role of libraries in the Open Science landscape  
Paul Ayris, Pro-Vice-Provost (UCL Library Services), University College London

Abstract: This paper looks at the emerging issues around Open Science and identifies what the role for libraries can be.  It does this by looking at four areas: Open Access, Research Data Management, the Library as publisher and Citizen Science.  The paper concludes by painting a picture for the Library full of opportunity, but one where current systems and practices need to change.

12.15    Putting developing country research production and dissemination into the global context 
Anne Powell, Programme Manager, Information Access and Publisher Liaison, INASP
Sioux Cumming, Programme Manager, Journals Online, INASP

Abstract: Many of the world’s most pressing problems are faced by people in the Global South but the international research and publishing landscape is dominated by the Global North. For 25 years INASP has been working with partners in both North and South to redress this imbalance. This presentation will share INASP’s work, both in facilitating access to international literature for Southern researchers and in supporting the visibility and credibility of Southern journals.

12.45    Lunch

13.45    Open Research: from the perspective of Wellcome  
Robert Kiley, Head of Open Research, Wellcome Trust

Abstract: In this session Robert Kiley will look at the current state of open access to publications and the challenges which still persist.  Using Wellcome as a case study, Robert will outline the various approaches Wellcome has adopted to provide Wellcome researchers with a range of publishing options, and offer some early thoughts on future directions.  Looking beyond publications, the talk will also discuss Wellcome’s approach to outputs sharing and the challenge of aligning incentives to promote the sharing of research outputs.
    
14.15    Local, national and global research collaborations: multiple choices driven by funding, friendships or facts?
Lesley Thompson, Director of Academic and Government Strategic Alliance in the UK, Elsevier

Abstract: The world of research is naturally collaborative – researchers build collaborations and networks naturally – but it is also intensely competitive.  At a time when the UK considers its future international relationships post-Brexit and the government looks to strengthen the UK’s economy in part through research and investing in regional strengths including Science and Innovation audits and City Deals, how do individual researchers, universities or the UK make the right choices for collaboration going forward?  Would you follow the funding, call a friend or examine the evidence?  Some thoughts to be considered will be discussed in this presentation.

14.45    Shrinking horizons – or pushing boundaries?  
Janet Peters, Director of University Libraries and University Librarian, Cardiff University

Abstract: The unique context of Cardiff University as the only Russell Group university in Wales and a member of both the Wales HE Libraries Forum (WHELF) and the GW4 (Great Western Four) consortium is explained, with the challenges and opportunities that this brings.  An overview of the current benefits from collaborative working, and some of the dilemmas faced, is provided, with suggestions on how services might need to push their boundaries by thinking and acting more tactically. 

15.15    Tea

15.45    Panel session with questions
chaired by Kate Price, University Librarian, Queen Mary University of London

16.45    Closing remarks followed by drinks reception

18.30    Close

Venue

Grange Tower Bridge Hotel (Beaumont and Sidney Suites, Floor 1)
45 Prescot Street
London
E1 8GP

Tel.: 020 7959 5000

Fee

UKSG members: £190.00 + £38.00 VAT [20%] (total £228.00)
Non-members: £240.00 + £48.00 VAT [20%] (total £288.00)

The fee includes refreshments, lunch and the drinks reception.

How to book

Booking for this event has now closed.  For further information please contact Karen Sadler.

Venue location details will be sent with confirmation of booking.

Cancellations

By Tuesday 7 November 2017 – full refund
From Wednesday 8 November 2017 – no refund

NB:  UKSG reserves the right to alter or vary the programme due to events or circumstances beyond its reasonable control without being obliged to refund monies.