Announcements
3 September 2025
Join Us at the MDPI at the University of Toronto Career Fair, 23 September 2025, Toronto, ON, Canada
3 September 2025
Social Sciences | Interview with Editorial Board Member—Prof. Dr. Steve Jackson
Professor Dr. Steve Jackson specialises in the socio-cultural analysis of sport. He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (Canada) and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (USA). In addition to his post at Otago, Steve has served as a Visiting Professor at universities in Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Japan, South Africa, and Taiwan. Professionally, he is an ex-President of the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA) and Research Committee 27 of the International Sociology Association (ISA), 2008–2015. He is a Research Fellow of the North American Society of the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) and an Honorary Member of the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA).
Currently the Co-Director of the New Zealand Centre for Sport Policy and Politics, Steve is also a Corresponding Editor for the International Review for the Sociology of Sport and has served on the following editorial boards: Communication and Sport, Sociology of Sport Journal, Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, International Journal of Sport Marketing and Management, Revista (Journal of the Latin American Association for the Sociocultural Study of Sport), and the Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science, and Social Sciences.
The following is a short interview with Prof. Dr. Steve Jackson:
1. Could you share what initially drew you to your research field, and how your academic journey has evolved?
I originally studied physical education along with sociology and social psychology at University. I planned to be a teacher, but in my last year of study, a professor asked me if I would be interested in getting a Master’s degree. I had no idea what a Master’s was, but decided to learn more and ultimately went on to complete a Master’s and PhD at the University of Illinois (USA). While studying at the University of Illinois, I had a chance to teach at the University of British Columbia (Canada), and this, in turn, enabled me to travel before I returned to start a PhD.
2. As Guest Editor of the Special Issue “The Contested Terrain of Sport: Sociological, Political and Policy Perspectives” in Social Sciences, what was the most meaningful insight or challenge you encountered during the process?
It was a great experience to have an idea for a Special Issue and then to see how it all unfolded. The biggest challenge is recruiting good manuscripts, even when the theme of our Special Issue was relevant to a lot of scholars in our field. The journal team did a great job of helping to contact potential authors, and this helped develop a solid pool of contributors.
3. How do you see the role of open access journals like Social Sciences?
In some ways, the journal fills a gap for authors who may not have the opportunity to publish in other mainstream journals. These types of journals often help support Special Issues that may not be possible otherwise or would take a long time to obtain approval from some of the main journals.
4. What advice would you give to early career researchers hoping to develop an impactful scholarly profile or collaborate internationally?
In philosophical terms, I would suggest “do what you love and love what you do”, but beyond that, I think I would encourage young scholars to try and understand the wider significance of their research. While most of our research often focuses on very narrow and specific topics, it is important to understand that this work is generally part of a much wider network of research that, collectively, helps us understand key issues and problems in the world. In my field, I would encourage young scholars to embrace the wisdom of C. Wright Mills and use our sociological imagination to link our private experiences and personal problems with wider social structures and public issues. This approach helps all of us recognise that we are not alone and that transformational social change comes through acting collectively.
5. Outside of academic work, are there any personal interests or practices that contribute to your perspective as a social scientist?
I love to travel and have been very fortunate that my work enables this. Experiencing other countries and cultures is extremely valuable for understanding how different but also how similar we are. It provides valuable insights into some of the shared problems we all face, and this might help us to think of strategies to find solutions. One other important part of my job is teaching. Teaching is an opportunity to share knowledge, but it is also a chance to gain knowledge. Students increasingly come from more diverse backgrounds, and they all have knowledge and experiences to share. Working with highly motivated postgraduate students who are conducting exciting new research is also highly rewarding and ensures that Professors continue to learn.
Related Special Issue:
“The Contested Terrain of Sport: Sociological, Political and Policy Perspectives”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Steve James Jackson and Prof. Dr. Michael P. Sam
Highlights:
1. The volume offers a critical examination of sport as a dynamic field of conflict and negotiation, where diverse actors with competing resources, ideologies, and beliefs strive for influence and legitimacy—illustrated through cases such as breakdancing’s Olympic inclusion and the recognition of e-sports.
2. Beyond mere competition, the anthology explores sport’s strategic connections to major societal sectors such as health, education, diplomacy, and security. It sheds light on its dual role as both a catalyst for peace and development and an instrument for sportswashing or a target for terrorism.
3. Featuring research across varied contexts, disciplines, and frameworks, the collection addresses pressing issues from mega-events and integrity to wellbeing and inclusion, offering a multifaceted perspective on why sport remains perennially contentious and politically significant.
1 September 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #26 – CUJS, Head of Ethics, Open Peer Review, AIS 2025, Reviewer Recognition
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Society of China University Journals (CUJS) visit to MDPI Basel
In August, we had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from the Society of China University Journals (CUJS) to our Basel headquarters. The visit was part of CUJS’s broader European tour, which included meetings with several major publishing organizations.
Purpose of the visit
The delegation’s stop in Basel involved an introductory meeting and knowledge-sharing with a view to identifying potential collaboration opportunities with MDPI. The CUJS team shared an overview of the Chinese scientific publishing landscape, including recent policy developments, and gave us insights into the journals and services they operate across China’s academic institutions.
MDPI presentations
We used the opportunity to introduce CUJS to MDPI’s mission, structure, and recent achievements. I presented on the latest developments at MDPI and our role in supporting global open access, addressing many follow-up questions from the delegation. Warm thanks are due to the following colleagues for their contributions to the session:
- Liliane Auwerter (Conference Organizer, Scientific Officer and Sustainability Specialist) shared an overview of our editorial process, including the quality indicators we use to track peer-review performance.
- Renato Merki (Publication Ethics Assistant) presented on behalf of our Research Integrity and Ethics team, emphasizing our commitment to responsible publishing.
- Silvano Bonfatti (Product Manager) introduced the JAMS platform, highlighting how it supports efficient journal management for editors and publishers alike.
- Aimar Xiong (Publisher, Section Managing Editor) and Giuliano Braccini (Office Manager) facilitated the meeting, offering clarity in response to specific questions, building the relationship during and beyond the meeting itself.
“Building relationships with organizations such as CUJS allows us to increase our visibility and reputation”
Why is this important?
China is one of the world’s largest producers of scientific research, with its universities and research institutes playing a key role in global scholarly publishing. Building strong relationships with influential organizations such as CUJS allows us to increase our visibility and reputation vis-à-vis the Chinese academic community, share best practices, learn from differing publishing models, and explore collaborations that have the potential to enhance the quality, reach, and diversity of our journals.
Looking ahead
It was a productive and friendly exchange that reflected our shared commitment to advancing scholarly communication and improving journal publishing practices. We value these visits, which allow us to create collaborations with stakeholders in the global academic community.
Our Basel office is a hub for hosting international delegations, partners, and collaborators. We look forward to creating more global connections that support our mission.
Impactful Research
Appointment of Dr. Tim Tait-Jamieson as Head of Publication Ethics
As part of our ongoing commitment to research integrity and publishing excellence, I am delighted to announce that we have appointed Dr. Tim Tait-Jamieson as Head of Publication Ethics.
In this role, Tim will lead the development of our ethics strategy and oversee the continued growth of the Publication Ethics Department, which is based across our offices in Basel, Manchester, Belgrade/Novi Sad, and Cluj. Guided by the principles of effective prevention and efficient resolution, the department plays an essential role in ensuring the highest standards of integrity throughout our editorial processes.
Department focus
Working closely with internal teams and external partners, the Publication Ethics Department focuses on refining our policies, aligning our operations with international best practices, and addressing complex cases with fairness and transparency. This work is critical in supporting our editors, reviewers, and authors, reinforcing MDPI’s contribution to the global dialogue on research integrity.
“Research integrity is something to which we all contribute through our daily work at MDPI”
About Tim
Tim joined MDPI in 2021 and has held several roles within the Publication Ethics Department, most recently serving as Research Integrity Lead. Based in our Basel office, he brings a strong academic background, with a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and a proven track record of leadership in research integrity.
Research integrity is something to which we all contribute through our daily work at MDPI. I look forward to Tim’s leadership as we continue investing in the people, processes, and partnerships that uphold the trust and credibility of scholarly publishing.
Read more:
Inside MDPI
How and why MDPI offers Open Peer Review
At MDPI, we are committed to advancing openness and transparency in scholarly publishing. One area where we’ve taken a leadership role is peer review. Since 2014, MDPI has offered authors the option of open peer review, giving them the opportunity to publish reviewer comments alongside their papers. Each year, more authors are choosing this path, helping to build trust in the editorial process and provide valuable context for the research we publish.
Jack McKenna (Senior Content Specialist, MDPI) recently wrote an informative piece looking at the impact and importance of open peer review at MDPI. He highlights how this approach not only benefits readers but also gives well-deserved recognition to our reviewers, who generously dedicate their time and expertise to the academic community.
I encourage you to read this blogpost to see how MDPI is helping set standards for transparency in scholarly publishing.
Coming Together for Science
Recap of MDPI’s AIS 2025 Conference in Kuala Lumpur
Entering the month of August, we held The 2nd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers (AIS 2025) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“AIS is quickly becoming a premier event in the field”
The second edition of AIS brought together 335 attendees from across Asia and beyond, including participants from China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. The event, chaired by Prof. Dr. Toshihiro Itoh (University of Tokyo), Prof. Dr. Sang-Woo Kim (Yonsei University), and Prof. Dr. Chengkuo Lee (National University of Singapore), continues to grow in reputation and has become an important platform for researchers and students to present their work, exchange ideas, and build international collaborations.
AIS is quickly becoming a premier event in the field, with participants highlighting its quality of service, its expanding academic network, and the value it delivers in the context of tightening research budgets in the region.
It was also excellent to see our new MDPI journal AI Sensors, which originated from a conference topic, host a successful launch party at the event.
Highlights from participant feedback:
- Southeast University (China) sent a student delegation and considers AIS a regular fixture for Ph.D. students in need of international conference experience.
- CAS Aerospace Information Research Institute sent a 10-member delegation and plans to further promote AIS internally.
- Japanese researchers regard AIS as a must-attend event, placing it on a par with IEEE conferences and citing the benefits of networking and exchange.
- Korean academics praised the organization and noted improved perceptions of MDPI among their institutions, viewing AIS as a strategic opportunity to deepen engagement in the region.
Award winners
We recognized the recipients of the Best Presentation, Best Scientist, Best Poster, and Best Student Paper awards, whose contributions set a standard for academic excellence. The full award announcement is available here.
Looking ahead
The 3rd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers will be held from 5 to10 August 2026 in Jeju, Korea. The General Chairs will be Prof. Inkyu Park (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Prof. Zhou Li (Tsinghua University), Prof. Xinge Yu (City University of Hong Kong), and Prof. Chengkuo Lee (National University of Singapore). We look forward to bringing together innovators, researchers and experts who are shaping the future at the intersection of sensors, sensing technology, transducers and artificial intelligence.
Thank you
Our conference team managed this event with great agility and professionalism and are already planning improvements to make the conference even more accessible. Special thanks to the National University of Singapore for their support, and to our entire conference team and collaborators for their dedication.
AIS is gaining momentum, and we look forward to supporting its role as a bridge between MDPI and the global academic community.
“Our conference team managed this event with great agility and professionalism”
Closing Thoughts
Recognizing our outstanding reviewers
As we close this edition of the newsletter, I would like to spotlight MDPI’s 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Awards, which showcase a group of winners whose contributions often go unseen but are essential to the integrity of scholarly publishing: our reviewers.
In 2024, more than 215,000 reviewers dedicated their time and expertise to MDPI journals. From this community, we are proud to recognize 356 recipients of the Outstanding Reviewer Awards, who went above and beyond by providing timely, thorough and constructive feedback.
These awards are not only a token of our appreciation but also a reflection of the values we stand for: rigor, fairness and collaboration in advancing science.
To explore the full list of awardees across disciplines, from life sciences to the humanities, please visit the following pages:
- Biology and Life Sciences
- Business and Economics
- Chemistry and Materials Science
- Computer Science and Mathematics
- Engineering
- Environmental and Earth Sciences
- Medicine and Pharmacology
- Physical Sciences
- Public Health and Healthcare
- Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
About MDPI Awards
To recognize the academic community, MDPI journals regularly offer various awards to researchers in specific fields. Serving as a source of recognition and inspiration, these awards help increase the influence of scholars who have been credited with outstanding achievements and are making a significant contribution to the advancement of their respective fields.
To explore more opening Outstanding Reviewer Awards, please click here.
To all our reviewers: thank you for being the foundation of trust that makes open access publishing possible!
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
13 August 2025
MDPI Books | Empowering Voices in the Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (SSAH)
4 August 2025
Meet Us at the Work, Employment and Society Conference 2025, 8–10 September 2025, Manchester, UK
1 August 2025
Social Sciences | Interview with Editorial Board Member Prof. Emerita Patricia O’Brien
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From 2009 to 2020, Prof. Emerita Patricia O’Brien was the Executive Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, affiliated with the University of Sydney, Australia. Prior to this role, she held academic appointments at Trinity College, Dublin, as the Director of the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, and the University of Auckland as Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research. She now holds a Professor Emerita title from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. |
Prof. O’Brien’s current research interests and publications cover individual supported living for people with high and complex needs, choice and control through individualized funding packages, diversity of housing types, advocacy, inclusive education, community participation, service design, and support. She is known for leading inclusive research initiatives, where people with intellectual disabilities are involved as co-researchers. Recently, Prof. O’Brien edited two Special Issues on inclusive research for Social Sciences (ISSN: 2076-0760), exploring how well-traveled the “inclusive research” road is. As a strong advocate for inclusive education within university settings, she initiated the uni 2 beyond program at the University of Sydney, where students with intellectual disabilities can audit courses. Three books that promote the need for value-based inclusion, both within education and communities, have been co-edited by Patricia. She is a Fellow of the Australasian Society of Intellectual Disability (FASID) and a member of several boards, such as Achieve Australia, The Achieve Foundation, and Good Directions.
In 2023, Patricia was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to people with disability through research and education.
The following is an interview with Professor Emerita Patricia O’Brien:
Prof. Emerita Patricia O’Brien’s related Special Issues:
31 July 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #25 - 8,000 Staff Worldwide, Korea Visit, 100,000 Preprints, Malaysia Roundtable, Canada Consortium Deal
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Talent Drives Our Progress
For the first time in MDPI’s history, we now have over 8,000 colleagues across the company. I would like to take a moment to celebrate this milestone and acknowledge the driving force behind our growth and success: our people.
As the world’s leading fully open access publisher, MDPI has grown thanks to the dedication, talent, and teamwork of colleagues across the company. Already halfway through 2025, we’ve welcomed nearly 2,000 new colleagues.
“Our achievements are also about the people behind them”
We now manage over 475 journals, with 298 receiving an Impact Factor, and hundreds more indexed in major databases, including 343 in Scopus, and 92 by PubMed. As the reach and impact of our journals continues to grow, so does the need for dedicated and qualified teams to support that growth. Thus, attracting and retaining exceptional talent remains a cornerstone of our success.
Our achievements are not just about the results of journal expansion, however: they’re about the people behind them. From our hardworking editors to our meticulous English editing and production teams – from our journal relationship specialists, public relations, marketing and communications professionals to our conference teams and the project teams behind Preprints, Scilit, SciProfiles, JAMS and more. Our success reflects the work of thousands of people showing up each day, taking pride in their work, and committed to excellence and service.
What we’re doing to support talent:
- Investing in onboarding and training to help new colleagues feel welcomed and empowered to thrive.
- Creating clearer career paths across all functions, from editorial to communications and beyond.
- Launching mentorship programs and internal knowledge-sharing sessions to promote growth and collaboration.
- Evolving our recognition and rewards programs to better celebrate your contributions.
- Expanding our training systems and platforms.
MDPI’s in-house training department offers over 215 training courses, covering topics from editorial development to cross-cultural collaboration. In 2024 alone, we had 44 full-time trainers and 196 part-time training assistants supporting the learning and development needs of colleagues worldwide. These efforts ensure our teams are equipped with the skills and confidence to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully.
Over two-thirds of our workforce is editorial, and of our more than 5,400 editors, 87% hold a Master’s degree and 6% a PhD. Their collective contributions are central to delivering a high-quality publishing experience and supporting global academic communication.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also aim to continue on a path of steady and sustainable growth, one that balances journal expansion with investment in people, outreach, processes, and innovation. Together, we are shaping the future of open access and academic publishing. Thank you for your hard work, your ideas, and your commitment to serving the global research community.
Let’s continue working together to create a culture where great talent grows and every colleague feels valued.
Impactful Research
Visiting South Korea: Building Connections and Supporting the MDPI Seoul Office
In July, I had the opportunity to visit our team in Seoul and engage directly with academic communities in South Korea. The visit focused on deepening MDPI’s relationships with local universities, institutions, and partners, and supporting the great work of our colleagues at the MDPI Seoul office.
Korea Association of Private University Libraries (KAPUL) Conference
A highlight of the visit was our participation in the Korea Association of Private University Libraries (KAPUL) Conference, where we presented to over 100 academic librarians. I delivered a keynote speech titled “The Evolving Publishing Landscape: Open Access and Beyond,” while my colleague Dr. Jisuk Kang (Public Affairs Specialist) shared insights in her presentation, “Inside MDPI: Editorial Practices & Research Integrity.”
Our participation received media coverage, including:
NEWS1: “Publishing Open Access Papers' MDPI...Supporting the Expansion of Korean Research Influence”
UNN (University News Network): “MDPI Announces ‘Seoul Declaration’... “Presenting Standards for Authenticity and Transparency in Korea”
Beyond Post: MDPI CEO Visits Korea to 'Support for the Development of Domestic Knowledge Ecosystem'
Facts & Figures: South Korea
- South Korea is MDPI’s sixth-largest publishing country by article volume (over 90,000 MDPI papers published to date).
- In 2024, Korea ranked 16th globally by total publications, and 6th (among these top 20 countries) by citation impact.
- 52% of Korean publications in 2024 were OA – and 73% of those were Gold OA.
- MDPI published about 20% of all OA papers from Korea in 2024.
- Over 2,000 active Editorial Board Members from South Korea contribute to MDPI journals, with 11 Section Editors-in-Chief.
- We currently have 11 Institutional Open Access Program agreements and two society partnerships in Korea:
- Korean Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology (with MDPI journal Pharmaceutics)
- Korean Tribology Society (with MDPI journal Coatings)
MDPI Seoul Office and the First Korea Salon
Our Seoul office serves as a regional hub for marketing, communications, and community engagement. It continues to grow in size and influence, prioritizing supporting scholar visits, conference sponsorships, and outreach events such as the recent MDPI Korea Salon.
The inaugural Salon, themed “Exploring Research Trends in Medical Publishing, Ethics, and AI,” brought together over 20 scholars and Editorial Board members serving MDPI journals.
Thank you to our guest speakers including Professors Young-Joon Surh of Seoul National University, Kwang-Sig Lee of Korea University, and Jin-Won Noh of Yonsei University who presented on the landscape of medicine in South Korea and across the globe. The Salon also included presentations from MDPI colleagues on Open Access, ethics, and how the IOAP can support researchers in this field.
“Our Seoul office continues to grow in size and influence”
Looking Ahead
MDPI is already the leading OA publisher in South Korea, yet challenges and misconceptions around OA and APCs remain. Visits like this one, along with the ongoing efforts of our Seoul office, are important to building understanding, trust, and long-term relationships with the local academic community.
A big thank-you to our colleagues in Seoul for their warm hospitality, professionalism, and energy! Our new office is well situated, staffed, and ready to grow. This visit marked an important step forward in our continued mission to support global research communities and advance Open Science.
Inside MDPI
Preprints.org Reaches 100,000 Preprints: A Major Milestone for MDPI and Open Science
In case you missed it, Preprints.org recently surpassed 100,000 preprints posted. This is a major milestone for our platform and one worth celebrating.
Preprints are a key pillar of the Open Science movement, which promotes transparency, equity, and faster knowledge-sharing through initiatives such as Open Access, Open Data, Open Source, and Open Peer Review. The benefits of Open Science extend beyond researchers, as they support funders, educators, policymakers, and the public in advancing discovery and innovation.
What is behind the 100,000 preprints milestone?
Since its launch in 2016, Preprints.org has grown into one of the world’s leading preprint platforms, now ranked fifth globally by publication volume.
More than 350,000 researchers have contributed, helping shape this dynamic and collaborative space for sharing early-stage research across all disciplines.
Read the full announcement here:
https://www.mdpi.com/about/announcements/12202
“Preprints.org has grown into one of the world’s leading preprint platforms”
Some quick facts worth noting:
- About 56% of the preprints on Preprints.org are later published in peer-reviewed journals.
- The platform is now indexed in Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Europe PMC, and Crossref, helping improve visibility and trust in the preprints shared.
- Recent upgrades – including a revamped website, new features such as search subscriptions, curated reading lists, and community feedback tools (PREreview) – show our commitment to developing Preprints.org in line with researchers’ needs.
This growth and progress would not be possible without the dedication of the Preprints.org team, our Advisory Board members, screeners, and colleagues across MDPI who support the platform’s development. This milestone is a reminder of our shared mission: to accelerate scientific communication and build a more open, transparent, and inclusive research ecosystem.
I’m excited to see what’s ahead as we approach Preprints.org’s 10-year anniversary in 2026!
Coming Together for Science
Malaysia Media Roundtable: Educating on Open Access and MDPI’s Presence in Southeast Asia
At the end of June, I had the opportunity to participate in a strategic media roundtable in Kuala Lumpur, focused on raising awareness about the importance of Open Access (OA) and on MDPI’s growing presence in Southeast Asia.
We welcomed five Malaysian media outlets for an engaging private session that included presentations and open discussion.
I gave an overview of the benefits of Open Access, MDPI’s global developments, and our collaborations in Malaysia.
My colleague Yu Nwe Soe (Public Relations Specialist), presented on our editorial process, helping to clarify how MDPI supports authors and maintains research quality.
We were also joined by two local Editorial Board Members (EBMs) who offered first-hand insights into their experiences working with MDPI and how OA has shaped their publishing choices.
The discussion covered a range of questions from the press, from OA publishing models to editorial standards, and highlighted MDPI’s unique contribution to accelerating scientific communication in the region.
As the leading fully OA publisher, we see it as our responsibility to continue educating research communities and the broader public on the impact of OA, especially in emerging and high-growth academic markets.
Spotlight on Malaysia
Malaysia continues to rise as a regional research hub, with five universities ranked in the global top 200 and 11 subjects in the global top 50. In 2024, Malaysia ranked 2nd in Southeast Asia in total publication output, 10th in Asia, and 25th globally.
MDPI’s presence in Malaysia:
- Over 21,000 research articles published to date from Malaysian institutions
- More than 1,100 articles published in 2024 alone
- In the period 2020–2024, 54% of Malaysia’s total publications were OA
- 36 EBMs from Malaysia, across 27 MDPI journals
- Around 100 conferences sponsored in Malaysia in the past five years
- MDPI is hosting the 2nd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers in Kuala Lumpur (29 July- 3 August 2025)
Media Coverage & Editorial Voices
Following the roundtable, we saw positive coverage across several local outlets, with articles highlighting MDPI’s role in empowering Malaysian researchers. Notable pieces included:
- Open-Access Empowers Malaysia’s Research Future
- Empowering Malaysian Researchers to Meet the Nation’s Innovation Ambitions
- MDPI and empowering Malaysian researchers
Our local EBMs also shared their perspectives:
Prof. Denny Ng Kok Sum (Sunway University, EBM of MDPI journal Processes) and Prof. Lee (EBM of MDPI journal Bacteria) share their experiences with MDPI and the role Open Access plays in their publication decisions.
“We see it as our responsibility to continue educating research communities on the impact of OA”
“I didn’t want my work stuck behind a paywall.”
— Prof. Denny Ng Kok Sum, Sunway University, Processes Editorial Board Member
“Open Access opens doors for collaboration and visibility, especially in fast-developing regions like ours.”
— Prof. Lee, Bacteria Editorial Board Member
This roundtable marked another step in building trust, understanding, and collaboration in Southeast Asia. A big thank-you to the MDPI Malaysia team and all those who contributed to the event’s success.
Closing Thoughts
MDPI Signs First North American Agreement with Canadian Consortium
We are proud to announce a major milestone for MDPI Canada and an important step forward for OA in North America.
In July, our Toronto office finalized MDPI’s first North American consortium agreement with the Federal Science Libraries Network (FSLN). This is a significant achievement that strengthens our expansion in Canada and reinforces our global commitment to supporting Open Science.
This two-year agreement gives Canadian federal agencies access to MDPI’s IOAP, including discounted article processing charges for affiliated researchers across our portfolio of over 475 OA journals. It lowers barriers for Canadian scientists to share their work more openly and reach a global audience.
Ryan Siu, Institutional Partnerships Manager at MDPI.
“The Open Science landscape in Canada is rapidly evolving, with the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy set for renewal by the end of 2025. This reflects ongoing efforts to foster greater scientific transparency and accessibility at a national policy level,” says Ryan Siu, Institutional Partnerships Manager at MDPI.
“Our new agreement with FSLN represents our shared commitment to further these efforts and foster wider readership. By aligning with these initiatives, we make progress towards research that’s both inclusive and impactful, benefiting local and global communities alike.”
Participating FSLN institutions include:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Health Canada
- National Research Council Canada
- Natural Resources Canada
By partnering with some of Canada’s largest science-based agencies, we reaffirm our goal of advancing OA across continents. We look forward to developing our support for Canadian researchers and continuing to drive progress in Open Science across North America and beyond.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
31 July 2025
Meet Us at the EARLI 2025, 25–29 August 2025, Graz, Austria
29 July 2025
Meet Us Virtually at the 1st International Online Conference on Social Sciences, 28–29 May 2026
24 July 2025
MDPI Webinar | 7th MDPI Guest Editor Club 2025, 30 July 2025
MDPI would like to invite all Guest Editors, as esteemed experts in their respective disciplines, to participate in the 7th MDPI Guest Editor Club. This forum intends to highlight exciting topics in a comprehensive yet efficient manner to allow Guest Editors from all over the world to present their experiences and discuss their achievements.
The Guest Editor Club will bring together a worldwide group of multi-disciplinary Guest Editors to present and exchange their breakthrough ideas which have been reported in MDPI’s Special Issues. We have, therefore, put together this platform to facilitate your interactions with the journal and lead you through the most important aspects of the role and what you can expect from the process of editing a Special Issue. We are pleased to provide an excellent opportunity for all our Guest Editors to propose and develop new approaches, exchange perspectives, and encourage new lines of research.
We will record the presentations, with prior consent obtained from the lecturers, and upload them to our online database. We will continue to build this database with brief introductions and summaries of topics and will open an online discussion group for each GE. We hope that this event will be of interest to you, and we welcome you to join us at this forum.
We are very much looking forward to seeing you at the 7th MDPI Guest Editor Club 2025. Please find below an up-to-date outline of the presenters.
Date: 30 July 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CEST | 9:00 p.m. EDT | 3:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 889 2623 3305
Register now for free!
Program:
|
Speaker/Presentation |
Time in CEST |
Time in CST Asia |
|
MDPI Introduction |
9:00–9:10 a.m. |
3:00–3:10 p.m. |
|
Dr. David Campbell |
9:10–9:30 a.m. |
3:10–3:30 p.m. |
|
Dr. Roberto Teggi |
9:30–9:50 a.m. |
3:30–3:50 p.m. |
|
Dr. Konstantin Zioutas |
9:50–10:10 a.m. |
3:50–4:10 p.m. |
|
Ms. Mary O'Sullivan |
10:10–10.30 a.m. |
4:10–4.30 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
10:30–10:55 a.m. |
4:30–4:55 p.m. |
|
Closing of Webinar |
10:55–11.00 a.m. |
4:55–5.00 p.m. |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations using academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will inform you when the recording is available.
Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. David Campbell, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria;
- Dr. Roberto Teggi, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy;
- Dr. Konstantin Zioutas, University of Patras, Patras, Greece;
- Ms. Mary O'Sullivan, Journal Relations Specialist, MDPI.
