49th annual UKSG Conference

The 49th annual UKSG Conference (Glasgow, 30 March–1 April 2026) brought together a wide range of stakeholders across the scholarly communications ecosystem, including libraries, publishers, and service providers. Discussions focused on key structural challenges shaping the sector, notably the sustainability of Open Access models, the growing importance of high-quality metadata and interoperability, and the need for more efficient, semi-automated workflows. These themes strongly resonate with the ISSN Network’s role in ensuring reliable identification and data exchange across the global serials landscape.

A central concern throughout the conference was research integrity and trust in scholarly communications. Several sessions highlighted the rise of fraudulent practices, including fake authorship and manipulated content, as well as increasing pressure on editorial and peer review systems. In this context, the importance of robust metadata, persistent identifiers, and cross-sector collaboration was repeatedly emphasized as essential to maintaining the reliability and traceability of the scholarly record.

Digital preservation emerged as a critical priority, particularly in the plenary session led by Alicia Wise (CLOCKSS). Drawing on examples such as the loss of U.S. government data and the challenges faced by Ukrainian libraries, she underscored the fragility of digital content and the urgent need for coordinated preservation strategies. Notably, around 25% of journals with DOIs are still not preserved, highlighting significant gaps in current systems. The ISSN International Centre directly contributes to addressing this challenge through its stewardship of the Keepers Registry, which provides a global overview of archiving arrangements for continuing resources and supports transparency in preservation coverage.

Broader discussions also addressed threats to access and knowledge dissemination, including censorship, geopolitical pressures, and the disappearance of online content. Initiatives such as the Data Rescue Project illustrate the importance of proactive efforts to safeguard vulnerable information, particularly when metadata is incomplete or absent. These developments reinforce the need for reliable identification systems and comprehensive registries to support discovery, access, and long-term preservation.

Overall, the conference highlighted the increasing interdependence of actors within the scholarly communication ecosystem and the need for coordinated, transparent, and standards-based approaches. For the ISSN Network, these discussions reaffirm the strategic importance of its mission—not only in supporting metadata quality and interoperability, but also in actively contributing to the preservation and long-term accessibility of continuing resources.