Work in Publishing Week: Demystifying scientific publishing and inspiring future talent
24 Nov 2025 by Kate Giles
Last week was Work in Publishing Week, a national initiative run by the Publishers’ Association to encourage young people aged 14-24 to explore careers in publishing.
To celebrate, IOP Publishing (IOPP) welcomed students from a local school for two work experience days and teamed up with Creative Access for a webinar discussing the many pathways into scientific publishing.
A Closer Look at Publishing Careers for Local Students
Students from Winterbourne Academy visited our Bristol office for a behind the scenes look at the wide range of roles in publishing, from editorial and marketing to HR, technology and operations. They heard from four IOPP apprentices, each with a unique route into publishing, proving you don’t need a degree to make an impact.
“Our Year 9 students had a fantastic time during their visit to IOP Publishing,”, said teacher Julie Brockman. “The experience was incredibly valuable, and the students gained a wealth of interesting careers information that will stay with them as they begin to think about their future pathways.”
Demystifying scientific publishing with Creative Access
We also hosted a free webinar in partnership with Creative Access. IOPP colleagues shared their unique career journeys, practical advice, and reflections on why they chose scientific publishing.
Rob Freeman, Associate Editor at IOPP, started out with a History degree. He was drawn to IOPP after discovering its open, friendly culture and willingness to adapt and embrace new ideas.
Subject Commissioning Editor Aswathy Girjia moved from a career in academia to publishing. She was driven by a desire to use her skills creatively while staying close to academia and connecting with researchers. She said: “Publishing is not a one dimensional space. It is diverse and constantly evolving, it’s full of possibilities.”
Alex Toporkov Konovalova spoke about his ADHD diagnosis and how this has shaped his professional journey. At IOPP, he has received significant support, which has helped him to thrive as a Research Integrity Officer. For Alex, what matters most is aligning his career with his values and commitment to advancing science responsibly. He advised: “Think about your values and what motivates you within your role day-to-day. I went from a for-profit publisher to a not-for-profit publisher which really mattered to me.”
The speakers demonstrated that publishing is multi-faceted, there are many ways to enter the industry. A career in scientific publishing offers opportunities to make an impact by supporting researchers and advancing knowledge in a world where trust in science is more important than ever.
You can watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/sShqj8Qy1OY
At IOP Publishing, we’re committed to breaking down barriers and showing that a career in publishing is accessible, rewarding, and vital for the future of science.