Keynote Speakers

This talk explores the evolution of scientific publishing and its modern challenges, with a particular focus on the field of urban drainage. Beginning with a brief historical overview, it traces the origins of scholarly communication in the discipline, and examines how early efforts shaped the foundations of current publishing practices.

Transitioning to the present day, the talk addresses pressing challenges faced by our scientific community, including the issues of over-publishing, the tension between quantity and quality, and the critical importance of research integrity. For example,  it considers the challenges posed by the misuse of AI in academic publishing. Additionally, the talk reflects on how the mantra "publish or perish" has evolved into "quality over quantity," offering insights into navigating the complexities of modern scholarly dissemination. Finally, it explores potential futures for publishing efforts in water research field, aiming to provide a forward-looking perspective for researchers and practitioners alike.