Trends in Academic Publishing takes you inside the minds of some of academic publishing's most senior publishers to explore how they are navigating their organizations through this pivotal technological period for the industry.
The podcast is hosted by Patrick Shafe, who, as Deanta's Commercial Director, is focused on understanding how the academic publishing market is evolving within a world of continual technological innovation. This research led directly to the Trends in Academic Publishing survey and white paper, which Patrick has written, overseen, and presented to international audiences over the past five years.
This first series includes six episodes, released every Thursday.
To find out more about Deanta, visit www.deanta.com (http://www.deanta.com).
To download Deanta's 2025 Trends in Academic Publishing Report, visit www.deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/ (http://www.deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/)
S2 Ep3: John Sherer, University North Carolina Press
John Sherer has spent his career on both sides of the publishing divide. After rising to publisher at Basic Books, he returned to the University of North Carolina Press, where his career began, and has been its director since 2012. In this episode, John talks candidly about what he calls the “toxic perfectionism” of university presses - why the obsession with getting every page just right is costing presses time, money and staff - and why a culture of “intentional imperfection” might be the answer. He also discusses why change is so slow, what AI means for the purpose of the university press, and why he’s still optimistic about the future.
4 Jun 2026
S2 Ep2: Ben Ashcroft, De Gruyter Brill
Ben Ashcroft has spent his career building relationships in academic publishing. As Chief Commercial Officer of De Gruyter Brill - the combined entity that emerged from Brill's acquisition by De Gruyter in 2024 - he now sits at the centre of one of the most significant mergers the sector has seen in years. In this episode, Ben talks openly about what integration actually demands, what's been lost and gained in two becoming one, and what the future of publishing in an AI-mediated world means for the combined business.
2 Apr 2026
S2 Ep1: Mirela Rončević
Dr Mirela Roncevic is not your typical open access advocate. A journalist turned academic, she has spent her career navigating the space between publishers, libraries and the researchers they serve. That vantage point has led her to a provocative conclusion: open access has a content quality problem, and AI is about to make it impossible to ignore. Go to https://deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/ (https://deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/) to download the Trends in Academic Publishing Report that inspired this podcast.
20 Nov 2025
S1 Ep5: Jennifer Regala, Wolters Kluwer Health
Jennifer Regala isn’t a conventional publisher. She is not from an academic background, but is an entrepreneur, networker extraordinaire and celebrated extrovert, dressed in pink. This unconventionality has allowed Jennifer to challenge the many conventions in publishing – leaning on technology to deliver internal efficiencies and create the conditions to focus on innovative ways to build communities around content.
Go to https://deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/ (https://deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/) to download the Trends in Academic Publishing Report that inspired this podcast.
6 Nov 2025
S1 Ep4: Darren Ryan, Deanta
Darren Ryan didn't follow the corporate ladder—he jumped off it. After climbing the ranks at an established publishing vendor, watching the industry race to the bottom through outsourcing, he made a counterintuitive move: and set up his own company. What emerged was Deanta —a two-centre publishing solutions business founded on a faith in culture and technology.
In episode four of Deanta's Trends in Academic Publishing podcast, Darren talks about why he cross-trained his staff and encouraged direct customer access over the fragmented task-based model that dominated the industry, how he built a non-hierarchical team 5,000 miles away, and why technology alone will never be the answer. He also reveals his conviction that the publishing industry is about to undergo massive transformation, and why there's only one route of travel: everybody has to become a technology company.
To download our free 2025 Trends in Academic Publishing report, got to https://deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/ (https://deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/)
To learn more about Deanta's next level publishing solutions visit www.deanta.com (http://www.deanta.com)
23 Oct 2025
S1 Ep3: Gillian Shasby, Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group
Gillian Shasby didn't make a dramatic career move to reach the top—she rose steadily through the Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group, building systems and efficiencies along the way. Her methodical, process-driven approach has allowed JNS to defy publishing industry gravity: keeping costs flat for a decade while launching new journals and tripling submission volumes.
In this conversation, Gillian discusses the consecutive peer review model that sets JNS apart, why independent journal publishing resists outsourcing, and why AI's impact on research integrity keeps her awake at night. She also reveals how a fully remote team of self-described introverts built genuine culture through song playlists, shared channels, and the occasional in-person gathering.
To download the 2025 Trends in Academic Publishing Report we talk about, visit www.deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/ (http://www.deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/)
To learn more about Deanta's next level publishing solutions visit www.deanta.com (http://www.deanta.com)
16 Oct 2025
S1 Ep2: Tim Williams, Edward Elgar Publishing
Tim Williams didn't start out as a publisher, he came to the industry via roles in business development then consultancy. But his big business approach, investing in new technologies and building on the organisation's award-winning independent status, has seen Edward Elgar Publishing flourish under his leadership.
In this conversation, Tim talks about resisting industry pressures to outsource, the value of financial independence, and how technology can preserve rather than replace the human touch in academic publishing.
To download the 2025 Trends in Academic Publishing Report we talk about, visit www.deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/ (http://www.deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/)
Tim mentions an Atlantic article in the conversation which you can download here https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/libgen-meta-openai/682093/ (https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/libgen-meta-openai/682093/)
To learn more about Deanta's next level publishing solutions visit www.deanta.com (http://www.deanta.com)
9 Oct 2025
S1 Ep1: Nicola Ramsey, Edinburgh University Press
Nicola Ramsey has spent her entire career to date at Edinburgh University Press, rising from Assistant Editor role to CEO. Where many might see this as a cause for stagnation, Nicola has made it a platform for transformation. In this conversation, Nicola talks about balancing EUP's mission with margin and what might be the burning platform for change in this industry.
To download the 2025 Trends in Academic Publishing Report we talk about, visit www.deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/ (http://www.deanta.com/trends-in-academic-publishing-2025/)
To learn more about Deanta's next level publishing solutions visit www.deanta.com (http://www.deanta.com)
30 Sept 2025
S1: Welcome to the Trends in Academic Publishing Podcast
Trends in Academic Publishing takes you inside the minds of some of academic publishing's most senior publishers to explore how they are navigating their organizations through this pivotal technological period for the industry.
The podcast is hosted by Patrick Shafe, who, as Deanta's Commercial Director, is focused on understanding how the academic publishing market is evolving within a world of continual technological innovation. This research led directly to the Trends in Academic Publishing survey and white paper, which Patrick has written, overseen, and presented to international audiences over the past five years.
This first series includes six episodes, released every Thursday.
To find out more about Deanta, visit www.deanta.com (http://www.deanta.com).
Host of Deanta's Trends in Academic Publishing?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
