Thursday, March 12
10–10:45 a.m.
The Future of Black Literature: Ownership, Power & Global Reach
Authors Nic Stone and Dhonielle Clayton will explore how ownership, authorship, and adaptation shape the global reach of Black stories—from independent publishing to book-to-film adaptations and international markets. (Main stage)
10–10:10 a.m.
Chair’s Opening Remarks: Navigating the Second Digital Transformation
Louise Russell (Tutton Russell Consulting) will open the Academic and Professional Publishing Conference with a discussion addressing trust, AI, structural resilience, evolving business models, and new AI initiatives in scholarly publishing. (Academic Theatre)
10–10:45 a.m.
Mission Impossible? Protecting Authors’ Rights in the Age of AI
Chaired by Anna Ganley (Society of Authors) with CEATL president Francesca Novajra, leaders from authors’ organizations will discuss defending copyright, protecting livelihoods, and upholding human creativity against the threat of generative AI. (Author HQ)
10–10:30 a.m.
Phishermen, Pirates, and Patches: Cyber Threats and Defences in Modern Publishing
PRH director of information security Deborah Haworth and Michael Pound (University of Nottingham) will talk about growing cyberthreats to manuscripts, personal data, and intellectual property, and share defense strategies for publishers. (Tech Theatre)
Noon–12:45 p.m.
Author of the Day: In Conversation with A.F. Steadman
Steadman, whose Skandar series was an international bestsellers, with film rights optioned by Sony, will discuss her career so far and her upcoming adult fantasy series with Hannah Bull, of the Alligator’s Mouth bookshop. (Main stage)
Noon–12:45 p.m.
SYP Ahead: Turning a New Page in Your Career
The Society of Young Publishers will host a careers and networking session for publishing professionals looking to advance in the industry. (Olympia Room)
12:15–1 p.m.
DEI in Publishing: Barriers, Breakthroughs & Takeaways for 2026
Chaired by Abigail Barclay (Inspired Search & Selection), Jodie Williams (Pan Macmillan) and Iram Satti (Bloomsbury) will share practical takeaways on what’s working in DEI, what barriers remain, and how to turn commitments into real action in 2026. (Tech Theatre)
1–1:45 p.m.
Publishing Jobs of the Future
Chaired by Suzanne Collier (Bookcareers.com), panelists Will Atkinson (Eye Books Group), Suzy Astbury (Inspired Selection), Selina Begum (Springer Nature), and Sofia Salazar Studer (HarperCollins) will explore how AI and technology are reshaping publishing careers. (Olympia Room)
1–1:30 p.m.
Ready or Not: Accessibility Legislation in the U.S. and E.U. and What Publishers Must Know
Moderated by Simon Mellins, speakers Stacy Scott (Taylor & Francis) and Cathy Felgar (Princeton University Press) will discuss critical gaps between E.U. Accessibility Act compliance and upcoming Americans with Disabilities Act Title II updates taking effect in April 2026. (Main stage)
2–2:45 p.m.
The Great Audiobook Debate
Framed as a friendly debate, Christopher Kenneally (the Spoken World podcast) will chair Javier Celaya (Dosdoce.com), Carina Spaulding (the Reading Agency), and Luis González Martín (Fundación GSR) in a discussion on whether listening to an audiobook counts as reading—and what it means to be a reader in 2026. (Tech Theatre)
2:30–3:15 p.m.
Trust in Science and News: Navigating in the Age of AI
Michael Pound (University of Nottingham), Michael Peel (Financial Times), and Susie Winter (Springer Nature) will unpack real-world examples—from vaccines to climate change—on combating false narratives and restoring public trust. Paid ticketed event. (Academic Theatre)
