This session will feature an Oxford-style debate jointly organized with the Einstein Foundation Berlin and the Einstein FOundation Award for Promoting QUality in Research between two experts representing different publishing platforms on the future of scholarly publishing. Bernd Pulverer, Head of Scientific Publishing at EMBO Press, will make the case for the ongoing value of traditional academic publishing. EMBO Press is a well-established nonprofit publisher supported by a scholarly institution. Opposing that view, Alexandra Freeman, founder of Octopus, will advocate for fundamentally new forms of scholarly communication. Octopus is a community-driven platform that seeks to move beyond classic journal models. Each speaker will present their position on how their platform addresses what today’s researchers should expect from publishing—such as openness, fairness, transparency, and quality.

As an audience member, you will actively shape the discussion by voting on the central question both before and after the debate. The session will be moderated by Jessica Rohmann, an epidemiologist and strong advocate for rigorous research practices. Our interactive format will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each position and the audience will play a role in shaping the future of academic publishing.

Whether you are deeply involved in scholarly publishing or simply curious about how research enters the public domain, this session offers an engaging, participatory look at a system that influences which knowledge is seen, trusted, and used, and ultimately, how the future of science, policy, and innovation is constructed.

To participate in the event, please register on the Berlin Science Week event page. (There are only a limited number of places available.)

Kontakt: 

Nele Hofmann

Scientific Coordinator Research Quality

Objective 3 - Advancing Research Quality and Value

nele.hofmann@berlin-university-alliance.de