Key Takeaways From ISMPP 2026: Navigating the Evolving Publication Landscape
The p-value team recently returned from the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, which is the largest assembly of medical publication professionals and provides leaders with a collaborative space to stay abreast of changes in the industry.
This year’s agenda focused on how integration of shared purpose, meaningful partnerships, and effective AI use can drive more impactful publications.
What we’re hearing across the industry
As the scientific publishing ecosystem continues to evolve, several key themes are shaping how medical research is being developed, reviewed, and disseminated. From the growing role of AI,to increasing pressure on optimizing publication strategy, to persistent operational challenges, the industry is at a critical inflection point.
Purposeful AI partnerships
As the use of AI in content development increases, journals and publishers are adopting similar technologies to assess submissions, such as checking for originality and validating the authenticity of peer review comments. While the next steps remain undefined, it is clear that publishers recognize the need to establish guidelines for the use of AI. The long-term goal is to standardize AI-incorporated processes and ensure that content is developed, evaluated, and disseminated in a consistently ethical manner.
Commitment to effective target mapping
When a manuscript faces repeated rejections, teams are confronted with a pivotal question: At what point does the pursuit of publication undermine the original intent or value of the work? More than ever, publication teams are under pressure to define the right journal targets upfront while aiming to “get it right the first time.” To do so effectively, publication leaders should consider the full publishing journey before committing to a journal. And because article impact extends well beyond journal impact factor, teams should also evaluate audience reach, alignment with content themes, and opportunities for amplification through social and digital channels.
Meanwhile, the task of identifying appropriate, ethical publication targets has become more challenging due to the rapid rise of predatory journals, paper mills, and reviewer mills. Publication managers are increasingly expected to apply rigorous due diligence in target selection, including thoughtful journal mapping and the use of pre-submission inquiries to confirm that a publisher is both credible and well suited to the research.
Delays in manuscript publication
Publishing processes and the delays that often accompany them are also changing, presenting ongoing challenges for both authors and publication managers. As the number of manuscripts submitted each year increases, publishers are tasked with securing qualified peer reviewers (subject matter experts) who can verify that the research is rigorous, credible, and suitable for publication. In some cases, publishers may reach out to 200 experts in order to get commitment from just three to review a single manuscript.
Looking ahead
As the publication landscape becomes more complex, success will depend on a combination of strategic foresight, operational rigor, and ethical responsibility. Organizations that invest in smarter tactical planning, embrace responsible AI use, and apply greater discipline to journal selection will be better positioned to navigate these challenges while elevating the impact of their scientific communications.
By combining these key components, p-value is positioned to thrive within the evolving landscape and continue to be a leader in the future of scientific publications.
