Knowledge Sharing: Luisa Wagner from Frankfurter Buchmesse Tells Us What We Can Expect from This Year’s Innovation Stage Programme

Also Featuring KGL’s Frankfurt Picks

For most people in the international publishing community, October can only mean one thing—the Frankfurt Book Fair.

With this huge global event right around the corner, we sat down with Luisa Wagner (Marketing Manager), who is responsible for programming the fair’s popular Innovation Stage (Hall 4.0). We discussed what attendees can expect from this year’s Buchmesse, the trending topics being covered on the stage and her own personal highlights of the 2025 programme.

KGL: What is new on the Innovation Stage at Buchmesse 2025?

LW: This year, we have an even more extensive programme for academic publishers on the Innovation Stage in Hall 4.0, from Wednesday to Friday.

The programme runs from 9:00 to 18:00 each day and includes panel discussions with key players, hidden champions and regional experts from the field of academic publishing.

From Wednesday to Friday, we’ll offer a free lunch from 12:00 to 13:00 in the Meeting Area next to the Innovation Stage. This complimentary lunch offer for trade visitors and exhibitors from Hall 4.0 is intended to provide additional opportunities for new encounters and inspiring conversations.

New are also the Friday Innovation Talks, which will take place after the Charleston micro-conference: The talks will focus on innovations in publishing and will conclude with a networking reception from 14:30 to 17:00.

KGL: What would you say are the main themes in academic publishing being explored on the stage this year?

LW: As in 2024, many panel discussions will focus on the latest developments in Open Access and AI. In light of changing policy requirements, shrinking research budgets and growing concerns about the integrity and trustworthiness of research, this year’s programme will also shed light on the state of academic freedom.

KGL: Which events are you personally most excited about/looking forward to?

LW: My impression is that this year’s programme has improved significantly in terms of quantity and quality, making it difficult to choose. The micro-conference “The Scholarly Kitchen: Navigating the Next Wave: Scholarly Publishing’s Uncertain Future” by the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) on Thursday morning is a must-attend event—and it starts with a networking breakfast at 8.50am!

In addition to the micro-conference by Charleston Hub on Friday morning. I am especially excited about the panel discussion “Science in Exile & Anonymous Publishing—Protecting Vulnerable Researchers” (Wednesday, 15:00-16:00). This panel, brought to you by Berlin Institute for Scholarly Publishing (BISP), who organize the Academic Publishing Europe (APE), will address the situation of scholars in exile or under repression, focusing on emergency access, local publishing initiatives, and new approaches to anonymous publishing.

KGL: Building a 5-day multilingual programme, that is fresh and topical and features talented speakers must be an incredibly challenging job—what were the main things you were looking for this year when you put together the programme?

LW: From Wednesday to Friday, we aim to offer an international perspective on the status and future of academic publishing, with diverse voices from the academic publishing sector.

Our goal is to create a place where the international community can come together, discuss and find new solutions to the challenges many publishers are currently facing.

On Saturday and Sunday, the focus of our programme will shift, with panel discussions, academic lectures and interviews with scientists and authors of popular science titles, we want to bring science to the attention of the public.

KGL: Thank you so much for your time!

Additional Sessions KGL is Watching on the Frankfurt Innovation Stage

Wednesday, 15 October 2025

Bridging Knowledge and Action: The Impact of Research on SDG Policy
11:30 – 12:00

As the push for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) grows, understanding how research shapes policy is crucial. Springer Nature and Overton will share early insights from a new report using data from over 12 million policy documents to explore how research is cited in SDG policymaking and by whom.

In this session, Nicola Jones (Springer Nature) and Katie Shamash (Overton) will discuss the role of publishers, Open Access, and think tanks in connecting research to policy.

Redefining the Future of Academic Publishing: A Radical Review of Open Research
14:00 – 15:00

This session presents key findings from Cambridge University Press’s 2025 community-led review of the open research publishing ecosystem, which gathered insights from publishers, researchers, librarians, funders, and partners. It highlights major challenges and priorities for the next phase of Open Access – focusing on reward, equity, and future-proofing research.

Monica Westin (Cambridge University Press) and Jane Powell (Shift Insight) will lead this discussion, with time for audience Q&A.

From Content Curators to Knowledge Architects: Reimagining the Value of Publishing
16:30 – 17:00

In an era of information overload, publishers must move beyond content curation to become key connectors in the knowledge ecosystem.

Here Jay Flynn, EVP and GM at Wiley, draws upon decades of industry experience to explore how publishers can drive greater impact through innovation, strategic partnerships, and responsible use of AI. He makes the case for rethinking traditional roles to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Thursday, 16 October 2025

The Scholarly Kitchen: Navigating the Next Wave: Scholarly Publishing’s Uncertain Future
8:50 – 11:00

The scholarly publishing landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by AI, shifting government mandates, funding cuts, and growing concerns over research integrity. In this forward-looking session, industry leaders, including Scholarly Kitchen Chefs, will explore potential future scenarios and their impacts on publishers, researchers, and institutions.

Panelists will discuss key risks, emerging opportunities, and strategic steps to navigate disruption and uncertainty.

The Evolution of Open Access Books
12:00 – 12:30

Celebrate the 15^th anniversary of the OAPEN Library, a key platform supporting Open Access for academic books. This special panel brings together OA publishers and infrastructure experts to reflect on progress, explore current challenges, and discuss the future of Open Access book publishing. 

Trust in Science and News: Navigating in the Age of Ai
13:30 – 14:00

In an age of AI and digital misinformation, knowing what to trust is harder than ever. From COVID-19 to climate change, the stakes are high.

Join Daniel Lingenhöhl and Joyce Lorigan, both from Springer Nature, as they explore how science and journalism can counter false narratives, restore trust, and promote evidence-based decision-making.

Friday, 17 October 2025

Friday Innovation Talks: Drinks and Get Together
16:30 – 17:00

Close out the Frankfurter Buchmesse trade programme in style with a Happy Hour gathering at the Innovation Stage.

The complete Innovation Stage programme can be found here

The KGL, Sheridan, PubFactory and Accucoms teams look forward to meeting the global publishing industry at our newly combined Frankfurt Book Fair stand at Hall 4.0, F104. Click here to find out more and schedule and an appointment to discuss how we can help you achieve your publishing goals. And be sure to join us for Beerfest on Thursday, October 16 at 5:00pm!