Where Will the Next Generation of Publishers Come From?

This essay considers how publishing (the concept and the associated industry) is understood within society and how to spread understanding of both the processes involved and the job opportunities available. It examines traditional publishing recruitment practices and the skills and competencies sought. It considers the role of publishing within the academy, its arrival and reception, and how this is changing as more sector-specific research is published. It looks at course content on an international basis, how this matches the skills likely to be needed by future publishers, and the role of the work placement. Finally, it examines the process of widening and diversifying recruitment, as well as the practical measures being taken to assist in this process. The author makes a series of recommendations on how to spread understanding of the publishing industry and present it as an attractive option to the future workforce; promote a move to meet the needs of a wider cross-section of society through encouraging more people to read and gain the quantified benefits thereof; prioritize excellence in information management and dissemination; and spread the habit of buying published resources beyond traditional markets.