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STM Societal Impact Day

Join us as we explore research's societal impact and the role of academic publishing in shaping a sustainable future.

On Tuesday, April 23 — the day before the STM US Conference — we will convene for a full day of sustainability immersion. Here, we will dissect effective methods to support research impact, and consider the role publishers can play in optimizing the interaction between science, policy, industry, and innovation. Be inspired and equipped to contribute to a more sustainable and knowledge-driven future. We invite you to play a part in making a difference.

What to expect?

Inspiring talks on our collective ability to address pressing global challenges and create a more sustainable future.
Case Studies outlining the latest actions on sustainability from across the industry.
Practical information and tools that attendees can share within and beyond their organisations

Who attends?

Individuals who share a commitment to maximizing their organisation’s societal impact as well as those who want to better understand how publishers are working to address societal needs. The meeting is designed for leaders in research publishing - from publishers, publishing directors, and those leading sustainability programs – as well as others involved in scholarly communications, such as faculty at institutions and funders with a focus on social responsibility and societal impact.

Program

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

08:30	Registration, coffee & networking
09:15	Welcome, Caroline Sutton, CEO, STM
09:30	Redefining research impact: New vistas in identifying and communicating the broader societal impact of research Arthur Ellis, Senior Adviser, Elsevier Scientific knowledge is a foundation of our modern society, informing our daily decisions and creating solutions to address our societal challenges. Traditionally, quantifying research impact has focused on academic metrics such as citations or journal impact factors. Increasingly, funders of research, academic leaders, and researchers are becoming interested in demonstrating the broader societal impact of research projects they support and conduct. Various frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 10 key technology areas (KTAs) described in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, and Elsevier’s Academic Evaluation Framework, will be presented. By linking scholarly inputs like grants and awards, and scholarly outputs like publications and patents to these frameworks, compelling narratives can be constructed around societal impact; connections will also be shown with other key objectives such as DEI and commercialization of intellectual property. The emergence of generative AI tools like Scopus® AI provides new opportunities to mine scholarly documents to better understand and communicate the societal impact of research. A generative AI tool Elsevier has developed to characterize societal impact will be described.
10:15	Championing Change: Leading DEI Efforts in Scholarly Research Moderated by Sarah Phibbs, Director of Research4Life Publisher Partnerships, STM Join us for a dynamic panel discussion on leading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in scholarly research. Michelle Fleetwood, Elaine L. Westbrooks, and Laura Castillo-Page will share insights and strategies from their leadership of initiatives championing change in society publications, libraries, and research institutions. Michelle Fleetwood, Publishing Integrity Manager, ACS Publications, will discuss the ACS diversity data report and strategies to eliminate bias in peer review, fostering policy change, and journal diversity plans. Elaine L. Westbrooks, Carl A. Kroch University Librarian, Cornell University, will highlight DEI initiatives in university libraries, including the University Library’s Reckoning Initiative and Sustainable Scholarship. Laura Castillo-Page, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, will delve into the National Academies report Advancing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM Organizations and principles for fostering inclusive excellence in research organizations including for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Office of DEI.
11:15	Refreshment break & networking
11:45	Inspiring stories from across our industry Moderated by Gordon MacPherson, Director, Board Governance & Policy Development, IEEE Bill Deluise, Corporate VP, ESG, Wiley Day-to-day Sustainability: Integrating environmental, social, and commercial strategies and operations to fast-track impact in the scientific and scholarly publishing industry Natasha McDonald, Director, Peer Review, Canadian Science Publishing Transforming the landscape of community-engaged research (CER): Development of author guidelines on transparent and responsible research reporting and an inclusive authorship policy that allows for diverse contributions in research involving Indigenous Knowledges Andrew Bostjancic, Sustainable Development Goals Publishers Compact Fellow Transforming the publishing sector by prioritizing SDGs in the research agenda to create meaningful change and build a more sustainable world for generations to come SDG Publishers Compact Fellows
12.45	Lunch and networking
13:30	Keynote: Evidence in a world of contested truths: The importance of what publishers do next Tracey Brown, Director, Sense About Science
14:30	Views from the field: enhancing and assessing societal impact Moderated by Dana Compton, Managing Director, Publications & Standards, & Publisher, ASCE Judy Ruttenberg, Senior Director, Scholarship and Policy, ARL Kacy Redd, Associate Vice President of Research & STEM Education, APLU Nikita Lad, PhD student, George Mason University
15:30	Refreshment break & networking
16:00	Who’s driving sustainability panel Moderated by Rachel Martin, Global Director Sustainability, Elsevier, and Chair of the STM Social Responsibility Committee Steven Heffner, Managing Director, Publications, IEEE Colette Bean, Chief Publishing Officer, American Physiological Society Liz Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Wiley
16:45	Wrap-up, group photo, close
17:00	Drinks reception sponsored by STM's Early Career Publishers Committee

Societal Impact Day Program Committee:

Chair: Rachel Martin, Global Director Sustainability, Elsevier, and Chair of the STM Social Responsibility Committee

Dana Compton, Managing Director, Publications & Standards, and Publisher, ASCE
Leila Jones, Director of Strategic Programmes, STM
Gordon MacPherson, Director, Board Governance & Policy Development, IEEE
Sarah Phibbs, Director of Research4Life Publisher Partnerships, STM
David Weinreich, Director of Public Affairs, Americas, STM

Events Terms and Conditions

Cancellation
Where an event has registration fees, cancellations made in writing up to 30 days before an event are eligible for a 50% refund. No refunds can be made for cancellations received on or after 30 days prior to the event date, however, substitutions may be made free of charge at any time.

Insurance
Registration fees do not include insurance. Participants are advised to take out adequate personal insurance to cover travel, accommodation, cancellation and personal effects.