Being National, Going Global

Cam Macdonald | October 2013

Being National, Going Global

• History of NRC Research Press Journals

• Transition from Public to Private

• “Canadian” Publisher meets International

Marketplace

• Challenges & Opportunities

National Research Council of Canada

Research Press: a History

• 1929First published CJR

• 1994Amalgamated with National Science Library - CISTI

www.nrcresearchpress.com

2009

• 17 RP journals• 10 client journals• Monograph program• In-house production• Government-based

support system• A Canadian

Government Publisher

www.nrcresearchpress.com

Advantages to being a “National publisher”

• “Canadian voice”• Research community support• University support• Community knowledge• Language• Trusted Brand

Challenges to being a “National Publisher”

• A long history• A national brand, “Canadian Journal of …”• Bias against regional publisher, Canadian

researchers have many choices• Limited International distribution• Fierce international competition• Lack of outside brand recognition • Size

February 2009A Meteor Hits!

www.nrcresearchpress.com

Transition from public to privateOne-year window to:•Incorporate as not-for-profit•Investigate business models•Replace IT infrastructure, major software & processes•Reallocate & reorganize resources •Rebrand •Expand reach globally to ensure survival…•Develop a new culture

www.nrcresearchpress.com

Who are we now?

• Still the foremost scientific publisher in Canada.• Still a national not for profit publisher• Moving to support and disseminate Canadian &

international science to research communities around the world

• Leverage our international presence to support Canadian science publishing activities

Re-Brand• Establish a new Corporate identity

that was national and international

• Leverage our legacy

www.nrcresearchpress.com

Developing Content• Establish Content Development Program• Increase commitment to seeking quality• Work with editors to develop strategic

plans for each journal• Refocus journal scopes• Internationalize Editors and Editorial Boards• Targeting more quality international research

www.nrcresearchpress.com

Meeting Global Standards

Increasing our reach

Attracting content from around the globe

中文版作者指南Informação para autores em português

Información para los autores en español

Engaging communities around the world…

Social Media

Mainstream Media press releases outreach to journalists

…and at home• Increase Support for & from Canadian

societies• Core STM universities thru CRKN • Increase support for science dissemination • Sponsoring knowledge sharing: seminars,

awards, conferences, symposia• Developing partnerships & client base

Developing an in-house culture of risk and

innovation

• New roles and opportunities• Idea generation tools• Continuous change & improvement• Tolerance for ambiguity• Trust building• Risk taking

www.nrcresearchpress.com

Canadian Science PublishingExecutive Director Cameron D. Macdonald