“Merit and relevance of research should be determined by visibility and impact”
Akhilesh Ayer – Cactus Communications CEO – reflects on pressing issues for the industry, the global south, and his hopes for the future
My professional journey spans over 25 years and includes diverse leadership roles across various sectors. Prior to joining Cactus, I was the Head of Data, Analytics, AI & Research unit at WNS and part of the management team that helped set the AI, and digital transformative agenda for global client organisations. I led the successful turnaround of the business by rebranding and repositioning the business unit, adopting a differentiated go-to-market strategy, fostering superior operating rigor, revamping the commercial strategy, and driving both organic and in-organic growth. By the time I transitioned out, the business unit had market-leading margins and high double-digit growth.
Through my professional journey, I have held leadership positions at organisations such as GE and Crisil. Across these roles, I have had the opportunity to lead global teams, manage key client relationships, and spearhead large-scale transformation initiatives.
What are your immediate and medium-term plans for Cactus?
I am excited to lead Cactus at this pivotal moment in its journey. Our purpose at Cactus is to make cutting-edge research and science accessible to everyone, with the ultimate aim of contributing towards a better world. I am deeply motivated to build on this strong legacy, while also steering the company toward new opportunities that will expand our impact and create long-term value.
In the immediate term, my focus is on elevating how we serve researchers, publishers, academia, and the broader industry by advancing our technology and AI-led offerings. We are developing a holistic ecosystem of platforms, products, and services that will empower our customers to be more efficient, effective, and intelligent in how research is created, shared, and accessed. At the same time, we are strengthening partnerships and collaborations to ensure that our innovations are grounded in the real needs of the global scholarly publishing community.
In the medium to long term, we aim to build scalable, intelligent platforms that will not only support research but also anticipate its future needs. Moreover, we are expanding our vision to serve stakeholders beyond research and academia to broader industries, delivering impact through our solutions.
What is the most pressing issue facing the scholarly communications industry?
One of the most pressing issues that the scholarly communications industry is facing today is striking a balance between making science openly accessible and maintaining financial sustainability. On one hand, open science can democratise knowledge and accelerate innovation by eliminating barriers to access. However, this shift can place significant pressure on publishers and academic societies, particularly those that are niche and small, to sustain their operations without compromising on quality or integrity. Open access, an integral aspect of open science, amplifies this challenge. While it enables the wider dissemination of research, the burden of article processing charges (APCs) often falls on authors or institutions.
As someone based in the Global South and working closely with researchers and publishers around the world, there appears to be a disconnect between the global momentum for open science and the ground realities faced by researchers. Many researchers in low-income countries are grappling with high publishing fees, limited support from institutions, language barriers, and restricted access to resources and infrastructure. All this contributes to the formation of an ecosystem that may not offer equal opportunities to everyone.
Another critical concern is research integrity. The pace of publishing is accelerating, driven by increased competition, pressure to publish, and the integration of AI technologies. While AI has the potential to improve workflows, it also comes with risks such as AI-generated papermill submissions, manipulated peer reviews, and questionable authorship, posing a threat to the integrity and credibility of research.
What we truly need is a system that values openness, together with inclusivity, integrity, and long-term sustainability. To achieve this, we have to rethink the way publishing models, training programs, and funding systems are structured. We must build resilience against emerging threats to integrity to preserve trust in scholarly ecosystems.
What about the global divide? From an Indian perspective, is the divide closing or widening and how?
From an Indian perspective, it appears that the global divide in scholarly publishing is both shrinking and growing. There has been a significant surge in research output from India, along with notable global collaborations. Initiatives like One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) have helped bridge gaps by enabling researchers to access global literature and engage in meaningful discourses with the global scientific community.
However, systematic challenges persist. Indian academia continues to face hurdles such as high APCs, which often hinder the ability of researchers to publish their work in leading journals of their choice. Even within India, many high-quality journals find it difficult to gain global visibility.
Another aspect of the divide is the ongoing challenge of talent retention within the country. Many young and promising Indian scholars seek better research opportunities abroad due to limitations in resources, funding, or institutional support. An increasing number of strategies to address this brain drain, such as the provision of enhanced funding, improvement of infrastructure, and access to research through ONOS, have been proposed; nevertheless, these steps are still in their nascent stage and sustained efforts and deep focus will be required to enhance their effectiveness.
India’s voice in the global scientific research ecosystem is undoubtedly growing stronger, but true inclusion will require systematic changes at both the domestic and global fronts. Just having equitable access to information is not enough; we must also reimagine how the global publishing ecosystem values and supports diverse contributions.
Stargazing is notoriously difficult – but, stepping forward 10 years, what would your hopes be for the world of scholarly communications?
Ten years from now, I hope to see scholarly communication become significantly more inclusive. Ideally, the merit and relevance of research should be determined by its visibility and impact, and not the ability of the researcher to pay APCs.
Researchers from the Global South would not only contribute but also hold positions of influence in shaping the future of global science as editors, reviewers, and policy makers. Scientific progress would no longer be concentrated in a few elite hubs. Instead, diverse regions across the world will emerge as key drivers of scientific progress, bringing their unique perspectives and priorities to the forefront.
Technologies such as AI would be thoughtfully integrated, not as mere replacements for human judgement but as tools to enhance it. In critical areas such as peer review, AI would serve to assist, then to override, ensuring fairness, transparency, and nuanced judgement.
Above all, I envision scholarly communication as a strong connector of people, stories, and ideas: a space where knowledge flows freely across borders and disciplines, giving every researcher an opportunity to be seen and heard, regardless of their background, geography, or language.
Do you have any interesting hobbies or pastimes you’d like to tell us about?
Outside of work, I am a sports enthusiast, and I firmly believe in maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Fitness is a key part of my daily routine, and I make it a point to dedicate at least an hour each day to physical activity. I greatly enjoy reading, particularly on topics like leadership, history, and world affairs; this helps me stay informed and continuously expands my perspective.
This year, I have had the chance to experience some truly memorable moments. I attended the largest Coldplay concert ever, which was both energizing and inspiring. I visited the Maha Kumbh Mela, remarkable for being the largest peaceful congregation of humanity at any one point; which was humbling. Furthermore, I travelled through the Scottish Highlands and the English countryside, both of which left me with a deep sense of appreciation for nature and culture. Above all, I value spending quality time with my family, be it at home or while traveling together. These experiences and interests not only help me recharge but also gain fresh perspectives that contribute towards my personal and professional growth.
Interview by Tim Gillett