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05/07/2023
Full program of sessions and speakers announced for this year’s BookUp conference, taking place on Wednesday 16 August at the State Library Victoria in Melbourne.
BookUp will be hosted by Meanjin editor Esther Anatolitis, one of Australia's most influential advocates for arts and culture. Esther regularly facilitates strategic, creative and political conversations and is a prolific writer and commentator.
Yazmin Islam, National Marketing Manager at Wiley, is a member of this year’s BookUp programming committee, and had this to say about the program:
‘I’m so excited that this year’s BookUp conference has opened up to educational publishers. Not only does the program address some hot-button and trending topics, but it is also a great way for us to network and create new connections within the publishing industry.
‘We’ve got some fantastic sessions lined up exploring topics such as how AI will affect our industry, how ‘design thinking’ can be used to tackle publishing’s biggest issues, and some candid discussions around the pricing and the perceived value of educational resources.’
Among the newly announced sessions for BookUp are:
Design Thinking: How to approach publishing’s biggest challenges
We are thrilled to announce Greg Harbidge as a keynote speaker at BookUp 2023. Greg is Director of consulting firm Think Different and has spent over 20 years as a consultant, facilitator, and coach on the global stage. Since 2012 Greg has taught and consulted for Melbourne Business School across sectors such as health, technology, government, Olympic sports, and professional services.
Greg teaches teams to innovate and develop customer-focussed business opportunities using Human-Centred Design principles, such as CX and Design Thinking.
For BookUp, Greg will introduce ‘design thinking’ and how it can be used to assist with problem-solving, improve workplace culture, and respond innovatively to publishing’s biggest issues.
What is the research telling us?
Adele Walsh from La Trobe University Library has been conducting an audit for Australia Reads on contemporary research into the benefits of reading in our lives – from early childhood development to overall health and wellbeing. Adele will discuss her findings in conversation with the APA’s policy and government relations manager Stuart Glover.
From left: Eloise Plant, Tom Langshaw, Genevieve Nelsson, Kathy O'Neill, Kajal Narayan
Where to next? Meet the publishing industry’s Rising Stars
An ‘amazing group of innovators’ have been named on the shortlist for the 2023 Australian publishing industry’s Rising Star award, and will be coming to BookUp to discuss their careers, the future of the industry, and what they would do if they were in charge!
More insights from experts
At BookUp you can expect a day full of experts from publishing and beyond, discussing thought-provoking ideas and delivering valuable development for publishing staff at all levels across trade and educational publishing.
Yazmin Islam also noted that the program has been designed to be as practical as possible, no matter what your role in publishing:
This year we have tried to make sessions super practical, with advice on improving metadata, as well as a panel on publishing First Nation’s voices - which is critically important as we all look to incorporate more Aboriginal and Torres Strait content into our resources.
‘I believe colleagues from all parts of our businesses will all have something to gain from attending.’
Previously announced sessions and speakers include:
- AI and the future of publishing: a keynote from Stela Solar, director of the CSIRO’s National AI Centre
- Valuing our content: book pricing in a time of inflation
- Publishing First Nations voices
- Why metadata is everyone’s responsibility
You can browse the full program for the event, and learn more about all the speakers on the BookUp pages, and book your ticket here.
Networking drinks at Fringe Common Rooms
This year, tickets to the BookUp Conference include networking drinks at the nearby Fringe Common Rooms, just a short walk from State Library Victoria.
The conference may be over but the networking continues – join us for drinks, canapes and great company. The BookUp networking drinks will include the announcement of the publishing industry's Rising Star award, and the shortlist for the Educational Publishing Awards.
BookUp is made possible thanks to the continued support of the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, Books+Publishing and MediaSuper.
