Call for papers for BookUp Research Day 2025 

Australian publishing in transition: challenges and opportunities 

The inaugural BookUp Research Day brings together Australia’s leading scholars and industry practitioners to highlight the latest research on publishing, books and reading.

It aims to foster conversation and collaboration between academics and industry professionals to tackle the biggest questions facing the book sector. 

The Australian publishing landscape is experiencing significant transformation, driven by technological advancement, changing reader behaviours, and evolving market dynamics. This conference aims to explore the critical challenges and opportunities facing the publishing industry in Australia and beyond, with a particular focus on independence, sustainability, and inclusivity.

We invite submissions from scholars and industry practitioners on the following topics and beyond:

 

  • Publishing independence: challenges and resilience

  • Business models and economic infrastructure in publishing

  • Digital transformation: metadata and analytics

  • Institutional networks: libraries, schools, and industry

  • First Nations publishing and cultural representation

  • Australian educational publishing landscape

  • Rights management: copyright and open access models

  • Market presence: retail networks and discoverability

  • Australian literature in the global context

  • Government policy and industry development

  • Environmental and social sustainability

  • Equity in publishing: access and inclusion

  • Accessible format publishing and universal design

Submission Guidelines

We welcome proposals for traditional research papers, case studies, panel discussions, and lightning talks.

Please submit a 250-word abstract, title, author(s) name(s) and affiliation(s), presentation format, 3-5 keywords, and a brief biographical note (max. 100 words).

We extend a special invitation to students as well as scholars from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour globally, LGBTQIA+ peoples, scholars living with disabilities, and people outside or adjacent to the academy.

Important Dates

  • Abstract submission deadline: Monday 31 March 2025
  • Notification of outcomes: early May 2025
  • Conference date: Friday 8 August 2025

Submission Process

Please submit your abstract through this form.

Contact

For inquiries contact: 

Join us in shaping the future of publishing in Australia and beyond.