By Bella Ratmelia, Senior Librarian, Research & Data Services
Singapore Management University is hosting FORCE2026 on 3 to 5 June 2026, the premier international conference on scholarly communication and open science. This marks the first time this prestigious conference is being held in Asia, bringing this significant event to our campus.
Keynotes: Professor Lily Kong and Professor Ginny Barbour
We are especially honoured to announce that our President, Professor Lily Kong, will be a keynote speaker! She will be joined by another distinguished leader, Professor Virginia Barbour, the Co-Chair of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
Their keynotes will address the critical question of "how should we assess and measure research impact in 21st century?" from complementary vantage points. Professor Lily Kong will share her insights from the lens of institutional policy and strategic leadership, and Professor Barbour from her work championing responsible research assessment and editorial standards.
As a collaboration between SMU Libraries and FORCE11, this three-day conference will convene approximately 200 global leaders in research communication, and we invite the SMU research community to participate actively in this landmark event.
What is FORCE11? Shaping the Future of Research Communications
For those perhaps unfamiliar, FORCE11 is a leading global community that brings together researchers, librarians, publishers, funders, technologists, and policymakers. Its core mission is to "revolutionize how scholarly knowledge is created, shared, and used in the digital age"
You may not realise it, but FORCE11 has already shaped how you work:
FAIR Data Principles: The de facto global framework for research data management, widely adopted by funding agencies, governments, and institutions worldwide
Data Citation Principles: Establishes how research data should be cited in scholarly publications
Software Citation Principles: Ensures software is properly cited in academic work and treated as a legitimate, citable research output
FORCE11 Scholarly Communication Institute (FSCI): A summer training program bringing together researchers, librarians, publishers, and others to advance innovations in scholarly communication
At its heart, FORCE11 believes that "Individually and collectively, we aim to bring about a change in modern scholarly communications through the effective use of information technology." This collaborative spirit drives numerous working groups tackling critical issues from preserving interactive research content to developing AI assessment criteria for scholarly publications.
Why attend FORCE2026 at SMU?
FORCE2026 offers an opportunity for SMU's vibrant research community to engage with a diverse and influential international network, right on our doorstep. We anticipate approximately 200 delegates from around the world, including researchers, technologists, publishers, funders, policymakers, and librarians.
Attending this conference provides unique benefits:
- Connect with diverse global experts in scholarly communication without extensive travel.
- Learn the latest trends in open science, FAIR data, and publishing that are shaping our collective future.
- Acquire practical knowledge in evolving research communication methodologies.
- Shape the future and contribute to defining standards and best practices in the field.
Call for Proposals: Showcase your project to the world!
We strongly encourage SMU researchers to contribute to the rich discussions at FORCE2026 by submitting your proposals! The deadline for submissions has been extended to 9 November 2025, 11:59 PM (AoE). This is a prime opportunity to present your work to an international audience, receive valuable feedback, and expand your network.
Find full details on accepted formats, submission topics, and how to submit on the official conference website: https://force11.org/force2026
Registration Details
Registration for FORCE 2026 opens on November 1st, 2025. You can take advantage of our Early Bird rates until February 28th, 2026, or the special Accepted Author Rate.
For all pricing information and to register, please check out the conference website: https://force11.org/force2026
Join us in this global gathering!
We are incredibly excited for SMU to host this landmark event. FORCE 2026 promises to be a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and meaningful change in scholarly communication, right here in our vibrant city campus.
We look forward to welcoming you to FORCE 2026 at SMU in June 2026!
