In mission-driven organizations, saying no can feel impossible. Miriam Maus, Chief Publishing Officer at IOP Publishing, sees this challenge constantly in smaller and medium-sized societies.

In this excerpt from The Conversations, Miriam shares a decision-making filter that cuts through the noise. Working with a global physics community, she's learned that understanding what drives stakeholders' behavior matters more than implementing faster workflows. She explains how to find common ground between publisher needs and community needs, and shares her simple but powerful test for every decision: does this make my community's life better?

Part of The Conversations: Navigating the Future of Scholarly Societies

How can scholarly societies stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape?

This episode tackles the pressures facing society leaders today—from outdated marketing strategies to untapped data potential. Join Colleen Scollans (Partner at Clarke & Esposito), Steve Echard (Executive Vice President of the American College of Rheumatology), and Miriam Maus (Chief Publishing Officer at IOP Publishing) as they explore practical strategies for future-proofing your organization. Discover how to validate products your members actually want, filter decisions through a community-first lens, and rethink marketing approaches that aren't working.

0:00 Intro
0:36 What society publishing means for your mission
1:27 What sets successful societies apart today
3:54 Overcoming resource and scale challenges
6:08 Finding the right partnership model for your needs
7:32 Leading transformation when consensus slows progress
9:51 How to prioritize when everyone wants everything
11:24 Tackling your top challenges: data, integrity, and AI
13:10 Attracting quality submissions, not just volume
15:19 Making the business case for technology investment
18:20 Building stronger publisher partnerships that work
20:09 Diversifying revenue beyond traditional publishing
24:38 Creating products members will actually pay for
27:13 Navigating AI without rushing or falling behind
29:10 What tomorrow's societies will look like
30:52 Why your community connection is your competitive edge
33:10 Closing thoughts

How do we bridge the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding?

This episode tackles the breakdown in science communication fueling today's skepticism. Dr. Marisa M. Silveri (neuroscientist specializing in adolescent brain development and mental health, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School), Dr. David Shiffman (marine conservation biologist), and Dr. Sandeep Ravindran (science journalist, President of National Association of Science Writers) as they explore new ways to connect with audiences. Discover how to weave facts into compelling narratives and build trust through authentic dialogue.

Learn more about a new path forward for science communication here https://www.wiley.com/en-us/insights/featured-series/conversations/

#ScienceCommunication #SciComm #TrustInScience #PublicEngagement #discovery

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:30 What science communication means for researchers
02:58 Making research resonate with your audience
05:38 What audiences need: trust and understanding
07:33 Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
08:24 Moving beyond jargon: reaching broader audiences
10:10 What captures audience attention and why
12:38 Helping audiences navigate scientific uncertainty
15:00 Tackling misinformation where your audience lives
17:07 Building communication skills for researchers
20:25 Why researchers need to join forces now
21:12 How publishers can support researcher engagement
24:00 Sharing data to strengthen collaboration
25:27 Why transparency builds audience trust
28:00 Creating stronger partnerships across the pipeline
29:11 What's at stake for research and public trust
30:26 Getting started: advice for researchers