The Publishers’ Sustainability Survival Guide: what next for distribution, production and publication?
The push for a more sustainable industry is gaining momentum. With calls for a Net Zero future across the industry and the wider visibility of climate change across the world, waiting to see what happens is no longer an option.
What do publishers need to do now to change processes, operations – and behaviour – to build a sustainable business?
From training and engagement to carbon calculators, distribution, delivery, packing and printing, this down-to-earth discussion equips you with the knowledge you need to make change today.
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The speakers
Polly Silk, Senior Lecturer in Publishing, Oxford Brookes University
Polly Silk is a Senior Lecturer in Publishing at Oxford Brookes University, where she teaches on undergraduate and postgraduate courses. She has over a decade of experience in international rights sales and children’s and educational publishing, most recently working as Acting Head of Rights at Oxford University Press. She is also Chair of Oxford Publishing Society (OPuS), which organises events and networking opportunities for the publishing community in and around Oxford. @OxPubSoc
David Smith, Head of Technology Strategy, Institution of Engineering and Technology (The IET)
After he received his D.Phil from the University of York David decided to trade life as a scientist for a life in publishing. His introduction to scholarly publishing came in the late 90s via Vitek Tracz at Current Science Group and then BioMed Central. Fast-forward to 2022 and David has been at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (The IET) for the last ten years, where he is Head of Technology Strategy. He has spoken a many scholarly publishing events on both side of the Atlantic. When he’s not doing tech stuff, he likes to be in his garage tinkering with a 1960 1600 MGA. @TheIET
Zoe Cokeliss Barsley, Director Of Sustainability, Oxford University Press
As Director of Sustainability at Oxford University Press, Zoe is responsible for setting OUP’s strategic direction on climate and nature, and for working with the publishing and operational teams on delivery of environmental footprint reduction initiatives. She studied Biological Sciences at Somerville College, Oxford, and went on to do an MSc in Conservation at UCL. Her early career was spent in biodiversity research at the Zoological Society of London’s Institute of Zoology, and at the UN Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
Keen to help businesses reduce their environmental impact, Zoe made the switch to working in corporate sustainability. She worked for communications agency Context Group, helping companies such as GSK, Vodafone, and ITV report on their sustainability initiatives, and spent nearly a decade in the apparel and footwear industry with Pentland (owner of brands such as Speedo, Berghaus and Canterbury). Zoe joined OUP in 2020. @OxUniPress
Simon Crump, General Manager, Books for the BPIF, and Environmental Consultant, Book Industry Communication Ltd (BIC)
Simon has been in publishing for nearly 30 years, and during this time he has seen many changes in the industry from an Academic Publisher’s perspective. Simon’s last full-time role was as Head of Supply Chain Operations at Cambridge University Press. He now works as the environmental consultant for BIC and the General Manager, Books for the BPIF (British Printing Industries Federation). He also has his own consultancy company and works for the consultancy company Maverick. @BIC1UK
