Innovative STEM Publishing Strategies in an Evolving AI Landscape
Sponsored by Springer Nature
Recorded on 09/08/2025
Posted in The Authority File
Episode 440
This past June we looked at innovation in Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) publishing. This month, we turn our attention to advancements in book publishing in the Sciences. Joining us for the next four episodes is Harmen van Paradijs, Vice President STM Books Publishing & Books Business Optimization at Springer Nature, who shares Springer’s publishing strategies in the evolving landscape. Examining AI’s impact on scholarly communication workflows, Harmen reflects on authors’ adoption of AI tools, potential standardization of AI policies, and concerns from libraries on research integrity and AI.
In this first episode, Harmen provides a broad look at Springer’s approach to innovative publishing in the Sciences, including examples of the publisher updating its manuscript submission process and procedure for alt text creation to better meet author needs. In addition, Harmen talks open access, advocating for frequent communication with authors on available OA pathways and funding opportunities. Last, Harmen chats about digital book publishing in STEM; although Springer makes all books available as an ebook and in print no matter the discipline, he acknowledges that STEM authors tend to be more comfortable working in digital formats.
About the guest:
Harmen Van Paradijs
Vice President STM Books Publishing & Books Business Optimization
Springer Nature
Harmen van Paradijs is Vice President STM Books Publishing & Books Business Optimization at Springer Nature, based in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. He has responsibility for the STM Books publishing programs published under the imprints of Springer, Apress and Birkhäuser. He leads an editorial team located in more than twenty cities around the globe.
Harmen received his Master of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Upon obtaining his degree he joined McGraw-Hill Publishing Company as a sales representative in the Netherlands, and later as marketing manager in the UK. He returned to the Netherlands to join Pearson Education and held various marketing and sales roles. Harmen joined Springer in the Netherlands in 2005 as publishing editor for the education program. From 2012 to 2018 Harmen was based in Singapore, where he established the editorial operations for the Humanities, Social Sciences and Business/Economics in China, East Asia, Southeast Asia and Australasia.
Enjoy the conversation? Listen to the rest of the series:
- How One Publisher Is Learning and Responding to Author Use of AI
- Addressing Librarians’ Research Integrity Concerns with AI Transparency and Detection Tools
- AI’s Potential Impacts on Policy, Content Agreements, and the Competitive Academic Publishing Landscape
Check out our previous series with Springer Nature:
– Why Humanities and Social Sciences Matter for Today’s AI Landscape
– Springer Nature’s Adoption and Scale of the SDGs
– Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
– Introducing Nature Mental Health
– Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM) & Ethics
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