Through its journals, data and technology, Springer Nature supports the STS forum as well as the wider global research and scientific community by advancing open and trustworthy research, generating evidence‑based insights into the research ecosystem, and helping connect research with real‑world societal and policy impact.
About Springer Nature
Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please see our Annual Report, where we set out how we work with our global communities to share knowledge and advance learning.
The company numbers almost 9,000 staff in 40+ countries. Springer Nature was formed in 2015 through the merger of Nature Publishing Group, Palgrave Macmillan, Macmillan Education and Springer Science+Business Media. Core trusted brands include Nature Portfolio, Springer, BMC, Palgrave Macmillan, and Scientific American.
About some of our imprints
Nature Portfolio is home to the leading, international multidisciplinary journal, Nature – founded in 1869. It is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries.
Springer is a leading global scientific, technical and medical portfolio, providing researchers in academia, scientific institutions and corporate R&D departments with quality content through innovative information, products and services. Springer has one of the strongest STM (Science, Technology & Medicine) and HSS (Humanities & Social Sciences) eBook collections and archives, as well as a comprehensive range of hybrid and open access journals.
For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and @SpringerNature.
Generating impact through trusted journals, technology and insight
Springer Nature supports progress by helping the global research community share knowledge, advance discovery and address the world’s most pressing challenges. Through our trusted journals, books, platforms and products, we curate, validate and contextualise research so it can inform policy, innovation and public debate. We complement this editorial expertise with investment in technology, data infrastructure and the responsible application of artificial intelligence (AI), supporting the research lifecycle from discovery to dissemination and real‑world impact.
Building on the scale and reach of our publishing and data capabilities, we also generate robust, data‑driven insights into the research ecosystem. By examining how research is produced, shared and used, we provide evidence on emerging trends, the impact of open science, and practices that strengthen research quality, integrity, equity and accessibility—including disparities in funding, publishing opportunities, representation and access across regions and languages. These insights help inform policymakers, funders, institutions and researchers, supporting better decision‑making, advancing open science and contributing to progress on shared global challenges.
Below are selected examples of research and analysis conducted by Springer Nature, drawing on its journals, platforms and data to examine how research is produced, shared and used worldwide.
A) From publications to policy »
How SDG research is cited in real‑world policymaking
A large‑scale analysis with Overton of 12M+ policy documents shows that SDG‑related policy cites scholarly research more often than non‑SDG policy. Open access articles tend to appear in policy earlier on average, and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations)/IGOs (Intergovernmental Organisations) act as key knowledge brokers connecting research to action.
B) The state of research assessment »
Researcher perspectives on evaluation practices
A global survey of over 6,600 researchers finds metrics still dominate assessment even as researchers want broader recognition for societal impact, teaching, data/code sharing and peer review. Most respondents favour a more balanced future, highlighting tensions between quantitative and qualitative indicators.
C) Going for Gold: exploring the reach and impact of Gold open access in hybrid journals »
Gold open access (OA) drives greater visibility and impact
An analysis of 60,567 articles across 1,262 hybrid journals shows that Gold OA articles receive substantially higher downloads, citations, and Altmetric attention than both non‑OA articles and subscription articles with a Green OA version available.
D) The state of open data »
A decade of progress and challenges
The 10th anniversary State of Open Data 2025 report examines 2025 survey findings from over 4,700 responses across 151 countries, along with a longitudinal comparison of findings for key themes from the past decade. It shows that open data practices are now widely embraced, with strong support for open access, open data, and FAIR principles. Despite major gains in awareness and rapidly rising use of AI in data workflows, researchers continue to face persistent barriers around recognition, incentives, and uneven regional mandates, underscoring the need for improved credit, infrastructure, and practical support to sustain meaningful data sharing.
E) Insights into diversity, equity & inclusion in the global research community »
Persistent inequities shaping researcher experiences
Based on over 5,000 respondents and interviews, this report surfaces persistent experiences of discrimination, bullying and harassment, especially among under‑represented groups, and calls for concrete actions across publishers, institutions and funders to improve research culture and equitable participation.
F) The state of null results »
Why null results matter and changing research culture
A global survey of 11,000+ researchers shows that although 98% see value in sharing negative or inconclusive results, these findings are rarely published—leading to duplicated effort, wasted funding, and slower scientific progress. The white paper highlights the need to reform assessment practices so researchers feel supported to publish null results, strengthening transparency and accelerating discovery.
G) Surveying the provision of research integrity training around the world »
Global disparities in research integrity training
A survey of 7,871 researchers across seven countries shows major global disparities in access to research integrity training, despite 84–94% supporting mandatory instruction. Many researchers receive little or no formal assessment of their understanding, underscoring the need for stronger institutional leadership and more consistent, tailored training.
H) Perspectives on AI in scholarly communications »
Diverse expert insights on responsible AI development
This collection of expert perspectives examines how artificial intelligence is transforming research, publishing and wider society, while highlighting the ethical, regulatory and social challenges that accompany rapid technological change. Contributors from across disciplines and regions explore issues including transparency, bias, governance and the responsible use of AI, underscoring the need for evidence-based approaches and inclusive dialogue to ensure AI delivers public benefit.
Additional web resources and blogs
Springer Nature’s website and blogs provide trusted guidance on open science, research integrity, and SDG‑driven impact while connecting researchers, librarians, research managers, institutions
and policymakers with insights, tools, and expert commentary that strengthen global research practices.
- Open science: provide practical guidance, publishing options, and services to help researchers and institutions adopt open research practices and maximise the reach, integrity, and impact of research
- Springer Nature's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Programme: brings together curated SDG research, publishing opportunities, reports, events, and insights to support the discovery, use, and real‑world application of research across all 17 SDGs
- Research integrity: provides transparency on how we safeguard research integrity, including our policies, processes and investments to maintain trust in the scholarly record
- Artificial intelligence: brings together our approach to artificial intelligence (AI), with principles, guidance and examples of how AI supports discovery, research quality and access to trusted knowledge
- Value of publishing at Springer Nature: provides transparency on the value Springer Nature delivers through our publishing models, services and investments for authors, institutions and the wider research community
- Blogs
- The Researcher’s Source (for researchers)
- The Link (for research professionals)
- Springboard (corporate blog)
Explore more about Springer Nature via our videos
Progress Begins With a Spark
Inclusive Science at Springer Nature
PDF file—Springer Nature Annual Report 2025
