SSP Launches Inaugural EPIC Awards

The Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) has announced an extension of the submission deadline for the inaugural EPIC Awards to January 24, following what it describes as an “incredible response” to the initial call for entries.
Award categories
The EPIC Awards honour achievements across several vital areas in scholarly publishing:
- Tools and Products: Celebrating technological innovations across the publishing lifecycle, such as submission and hosting platforms and author and integrity tools.
- Publications: Honouring exceptional journals, books, magazines, reports, and short-form content formats.
- Marketing: Recognising outstanding branding, social media engagement, and other promotional efforts.
- Media: Showcasing original multimedia projects that promote or disseminate scholarly content, such as videos, podcasts, data visualisation, and digital humanities projects.
- Initiatives: Highlighting impactful programs advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility, educational initiatives, and student publication continuity efforts.
Evaluation and special recognition
Each submission will be evaluated by a panel of seasoned professionals in the scholarly publishing community. The top two entries in each category will be selected, representing cutting-edge contributions and transformative initiatives that define excellence in the field.
In addition, the EPIC Awards will provide special recognition for student-led publications, underscoring the critical role of emerging voices in shaping the future of scholarly communication.
“The enthusiasm and interest in the EPIC Awards have been truly exciting,” said SSP Executive Director Melanie Dolechek. “Extending the deadline accommodates the remarkable engagement from the community and allows more time for thoughtful and impactful submissions.”
Key Dates and Additional Information
Interested parties can find full details, including submission criteria, material requirements, and judging standards, on the SSP website. Judges from across the industry are also invited to apply, bringing diverse perspectives to ensure a rigorous and thoughtful evaluation process.
- Submission Deadline: January 24, 2025
- Winners Announcement: May 28-30, 2025, at the SSP Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD
- Awards Gala: Celebrate the finalists and winners at the EPIC Awards Gala during the Annual Meeting.
Open to both SSP members and non-members, the SSP EPIC Awards celebrate innovation, collaboration, and creativity in scholarly publishing. These prestigious awards recognise individuals, teams, and organisations that are shaping the future of scholarly communication through groundbreaking tools, transformative campaigns, and impactful initiatives.
To submit your work or volunteer as a judge, visit the SSP EPIC Awards page for full details and entry guidelines.
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