The fields of humanities and social sciences (HSS) have long thrived as vibrant forums for diverse ideas and deep scholarship. Yet beneath the surface of this intellectual diversity, the foundations of HSS publishing are beginning to shift.
The digital age, alongside tighter economic models, has changed how traditional and academic works find their audiences. As niche, independent, and nonprofit HSS publishers face unprecedented challenges — from declining sales to the escalating costs of technological adaptation — the industry stands at a crossroads.
For publishers, these market realities have led to increasing consolidation in HSS publishing, a trend with far-reaching impacts to academic discourse and the broad dissemination of knowledge.
Funding squeeze: David vs. Goliath
Right out of the gate, the consolidation of HSS publishing platforms creates a more competitive landscape for independent and nonprofit publications.
Grant money and funding opportunities — historically crucial for these organizations — might become concentrated toward larger, merged entities. These bigger players boast wider readership, established reputations, and robust distribution channels: factors that funding bodies prioritize. This financial pressure can stifle the ability of independent and nonprofit publications to compete, potentially limiting the diversity of voices and perspectives reaching the academic community.
What could this look like? Imagine a small, independent journal dedicated to the study of regional folklore. In a consolidated landscape, this publication might struggle to secure funding against a larger, merged platform offering a wider range of HSS content. This loss of funding could force the independent journal to cut costs, potentially impacting the quality of its editorial process or limiting its ability to publish innovative research. These types of examples will only grow as publishers are forced to do more with less to compete in an increasingly homogenized space.
Niche appeal vs. homogenization
While merging platforms might offer a more streamlined publishing experience, it could also lead to a homogenization of scholarship. Independent and nonprofit publications often cater to specific disciplines or methodologies within the humanities and social sciences. This allows them to provide a focused platform for research that might not receive attention in a broader publication. Losing these niche journals could stifle the development of specialized knowledge and limit the diversity of perspectives within academic circles.
Consider, for example, a journal dedicated to the history of women in science. Such a publication could struggle to find a niche within a merged journal encompassing a more generalized stance on history. The merged platform, with its broader scope, might prioritize topics with wider appeal. This could leave important research on the history of women in science underrepresented, leading to a loss of valuable insights into this specific field. It’s one example among a gamut of potential oversights.
Collaboration, dissemination, and interdisciplinary works
Despite the challenges, the merging of HSS publishing platforms might also present opportunities for independent and nonprofit publications. In several key ways, consolidation could become a rising tide that lifts all boats:
- Collaboration with larger entities opens doors to wider dissemination of research.
- Resource-sharing makes it possible for smaller journals to expand their core focuses.
- Merged platforms offer access to broader, more diverse distribution channels.
- Sophisticated publishing conglomerates trailblaze better technology and systems.
- Integrated publishing fosters innovation by creating space for interdisciplinary voices.
Imagine a collaboration between a small literary journal and a merged platform specializing in social psychology. This partnership could allow the literary journal to publish research exploring the psychological impact of specific literary movements, all while reaching a wider audience interested in both literature and social sciences.
Consolidation: A complex paradigm
The consolidation of HSS publishing is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the humanities and social sciences today. And the path forward presents challenges that require a delicate balance between financial sustainability and the preservation of intellectual diversity.
Stakeholders across the spectrum — from academic institutions to funding bodies and publishers themselves — must engage in a nuanced dialogue about the future of HSS publishing. The decisions made in the coming years will shape both the future of publishing and the nature of inquiry and discourse in the humanities and social sciences.
Contact your Sheridan or KGL representative for a consultation or visit our contact pages (Sheridan contact page / KGL contact page) to learn more about multidisciplinary publishing.
