Through the partnership, researchers at UNHAS will gain access to Editage Plus, a comprehensive suite of AI-led tools that support every stage of the research process. The toolkit integrates solutions for academic writing, literature discovery, scientific illustration, and journal selection, enabling researchers to work more efficiently and publish with greater confidence. The suite includes:

• Paperpal: an all-in-one academic writing assistant trusted by over 2Mn researchers worldwide.
• R Discovery: a top-rated literature search and research reading platform with over 3Mn users.
• Mind the Graph: a scientific illustration tool relied on by 100+ leading institutions.
• Global Journal Database: a robust journal finder with 43K+ verified journals.

Ruchi Chauhan, Vice President & Head of Marketing (ROW) at Cactus Communications, said, “AI is rapidly transforming the way research is conducted, and institutions in Indonesia are showing a strong inclination to integrate it into their academic workflows. At Editage, we are committed to empowering researchers with solutions that simplify their research journey and strengthen global visibility. Partnering with Universitas Hasanuddin is a strategic step toward promoting research that meets global standards and shapes the future of knowledge creation for Indonesian researchers.”

Prof. Ir. Andi Dirpan, S.TP., M.Si., PhD (Secretary of Publication management center), Universitas Hasanuddin, added, “This collaboration marks an important step for Universitas Hasanuddin as we adopt Editage’s advanced AI-powered solutions into our research ecosystem. By giving our faculty access to complete solution for research writing, we aim to accelerate publication success, strengthen global impact, and nurture a culture of innovation. We are pleased with the satisfactory customer support received from the Editage team, which has helped us align with international best practices while driving Indonesia’s research ambitions forward.”

By adopting Editage Plus, Universitas Hasanuddin reaffirms its commitment to empowering researchers and advancing global research excellence. The partnership also sets a precedent for other universities across Indonesia to explore innovative technology solutions that boost research quality and impact.

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As part of its continued commitment to advancing dialogue around research communication and equitable knowledge dissemination, Editage will host a live fireside chat titled “From Access to Impact: Rethinking Open Access for a Global Research Community” on October 23, 2025, at 8:30 PM IST. The session will feature Colleen Campbell (Strategic Advisor & Coordinator), a leading advocate in the open access movement, in candid conversation with Chirag Jay Patel (Head of Sales & Business Development – Americas, Cactus Communications). They will explore how open access is shaping global research practices, and how libraries, consortia, and institutions are driving transformative changes in publishing and open access models.

In the lead-up to the event, Editage will also release two special episodes of its Insights Xchange podcast series hosted by Nikesh Gosalia (Chief Partnership Officer, Global Publishers & Societies at Cactus Communications). The first features Colleen Campbell, discussing libraries’ transition from subscription-based access to supporting open publishing, and the fundamental role that equity, transparency, and author rights play in this shift. The second episode will have Mandy Hill (Managing Director of Academic Publishing at Cambridge University Press), as the special guest, sharing insights into the evolving role of university presses and why equity must be weaved into every step of the open access journey.

Throughout Open Access Week, Editage will also publish a series of articles and interviews featuring key opinion leaders from the scholarly publishing space, including Duncan Nicholas (Development Editor, Reproductive Biomedicine Online), Iva Grabaric Andonovski (Vice President, EASE), Rachel Martin (Global Director of Sustainability, Elsevier), and Roohi Ghosh and Chris Leonard from CACTUS. We explore their perspectives on how open access continues to evolve across the academic publishing ecosystem.

Open Access Week offers an important platform for publishers, journals, researchers, funders, and institutions to engage in critical conversations that shape the future of scholarly communication. As the open access movement continues to gain momentum, and open access practices and policies increasingly influence how research is shared and consumed, understanding these shifts is necessary for keeping up with the evolving publishing landscape and ensuring that the benefits of research reach the widest possible audience.

To be part of Editage’s Open Access Week event, please visit: https://www.editage.com/insights/international-open-access-week

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This collaboration expands the support available to authors publishing with Emerald by offering seamless access to infographic services that enhance research impact. As part of this partnership, authors will now have the option to see the price and purchase professionally designed infographics within the ChronosHub’s payment workflow.

Articles promoted with infographics have been shown to generate 2.3x higher views and engagement, making them a critical touchpoint for authors to enhance the impact of their research while enabling publishers to build stronger, more sustainable connections with the global research community.

Nikesh Gosalia, Chief Partnership Officer, Cactus Communications, said, “Scholarly publishing is at an inflection point where research must be both accessible and engaging for broader audiences. For over two decades, CACTUS has been helping authors amplify the visibility of their work and our collaboration with Emerald Publishing and ChronosHub is an important step in that direction.”

Infographic ensures that authors and researchers have a simple and seamless way to communicate their work, thereby increasing discoverability, engagement, and the overall impact of their publication.

Echoing this, Stephanie Hull, Vice President, Publishing Development at Emerald Publishing, said “At Emerald we are passionate about supporting our authors to deliver impact with their research. By integrating infographic services directly into our workflow, we will enable authors to reach a wider audience and showcase their work more effectively beyond academia.”

Adding to this, Romy Beard, Product Manager at ChronosHub, commented, “At ChronosHub, we are all about giving authors the best possible experience- intuitive, transparent, and in line with modern digital expectations. Just like an online shopping journey, authors can now seamlessly have the option to purchase professionally designed infographics within the payment flow!”

By combining Emerald’s publishing expertise, CACTUS’s research promotion capabilities, and ChronosHub’s innovative technology, this partnership introduces a streamlined way for authors to purchase high-impact infographics during the payment process, ensuring that high-quality research reaches, engages, and impacts the audiences that matter most.

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In recognition of his visionary leadership and contributions to AI innovation, Nishchay Shah, Group CTO and EVP, Products and AI at Cactus Communications, has been named one of the ET Edge Top 50 AI Power Players 2025. Nishchay has been focused on shaping CACTUS’ AI strategy, leading the development of breakthrough solutions such as Paperpal that are redefining the future of scholarly communication.

Commenting on the recognition, Nishchay Shah said, “Being recognized among the ET Edge Top 50 AI Power Players is an honor. At CACTUS, we are committed to leveraging AI and human expertise to empower researchers and accelerate the impact of science globally. This recognition reflects the enthusiasm of our teams in pushing the boundaries of innovation and developing AI products and solutions that transform the research ecosystem.”

The felicitation ceremony took place on September 30, 2025, in Mumbai, collocated with the Second Edition of the ET Edge AI Summit & Awards 2025, gathering leading innovators and decision-makers from the AI and technology sectors.

CACTUS’ suite of AI-powered tools includes:

• Paperpal: an AI academic writing and research assistance platform;
• R Discovery: an AI-led literature search and research syenthesis platform;
• Mind the Graph: an AI-powered scientific design tool; and
• Global Journal Database: a state of the art journal finder and submission support platform.

In addition, CACTUS has built AI solutions playground for developers and product innovators to build and scale enterprise solutions across academia and life sciences, reinforcing its position as a leader in AI innovation for research and scholarly communication.

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Team CACTUS attended the International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication in Chicago 

Peer review remains at the heart of the research ecosystem, yet it is increasingly under strain. The volume of submissions continues to climb, timelines are stretched, and the arrival of AI is reshaping expectations for both authors and editors. 

That’s why Chris, Jay and Laurie headed to Chicago this September, to attend the International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication. The booth became a space for candid dialogue about these challenges, where editors, publishers and researchers engaged in honest conversations about speed, quality and the role of AI in supporting peer review. 

Alongside the booth, Jay presented a poster on Enhancing Research Integrity in Abstract Submissions with a Hybrid AI–Human Post-Review Process, demonstrating how thoughtful integration of technology can strengthen integrity without replacing human judgment. 

We joined the dialogue at ALPSP 2025 in Manchester 

Over in Manchester, the ALPSP Annual Conference provided another platform to explore innovation in publishing. Chris delivered a session on Innovations in Peer Review, sharing insights into how technology and new workflows can help publishers move beyond traditional bottlenecks. 

Nikesh hosted a panel on One Nation One Subscription (ONOS): Global Game Changer or White Elephant? Unpacking both the promise and the challenges of such large-scale access initiatives. Nishchay added to the discussion by highlighting the role of AI in improving editorial integrity and efficiency. 

And in true ALPSP spirit, the event wasn’t all serious debate. Nikesh’s performance in an Oasis-themed musical reminded everyone that creativity and connection are just as vital to the publishing community as policy and process. 

We joined strategic conversations at the Silverchair Platform Strategies in Washington, DC 

At Silverchair Platform Strategies, the focus was clear: how can publishers use AI to stay ahead? 

Nikesh and Chirag spoke about the future of scholarly platforms and how AI can make them more flexible, efficient and impactful. They discussed how publishers can: 

• Use AI to streamline editorial workflows,
• Improve discoverability and visibility for journals,
• And create new opportunities to connect with readers and authors.

The sessions emphasized that innovation doesn’t mean losing sight of trust or integrity, it’s about making sure AI is used responsibly to support publishers and the communities they serve. 

We shared perspective at the OASPA Conference in Leuven 

The month concluded at OASPA 2025 in Leuven, where Pablo joined our peers to explore the future of open-access publishing.  

At OASPA, conversations centered on the future of open access and how it can be made more accessible, sustainable and equitable.  

Looking Back 

From our booth in Chicago to discussions in Manchester, from platform strategies in Washington to open-access visions in Leuven, September reaffirmed the central themes shaping scholarly publishing today: speed, integrity, accessibility and innovation. 

As we head toward October and the Frankfurt Book Fair, we are carrying this momentum forward, ready to keep the dialogue alive and continue reimagining the future of research publishing. Get in touch with us at FBF 2025. 

The post September Roundup: Insights from our Global Events appeared first on CACTUS.

We believe the industry doesn’t need to make that trade-off anymore. Here’s why. 

The Problem: A System Stretched Thin 

The demand for peer review has never been higher. Submissions are rising every year, but journals often rely on the same small pool of reviewers. This leads to: 

• Delays: A 2023 study in Life (MDPI) notes that even major open-access journals are known to experience lengthy delays in the peer review, with 2 to 6 months as the standard.   

• Reviewer fatigue: Experts are overwhelmed with requests, leading to fewer acceptances and slower responses. 

• Compromised standards: Under pressure to meet deadlines, journals may struggle to maintain rigor. 

The result? Authors get frustrated, research dissemination slows down, and editorial teams face mounting pressure. 

The Solution: Scale + Speed Without Compromise 

The key lies in building scale while maintaining quality assurance. That’s why we work with a global network of 4,500+ subject-matter specialists, carefully vetted experts across disciplines who can deliver reviews in as little as 7 days. 

Importantly, this model is easy for journals to adopt. Integrating an extended reviewer network and streamlined workflows does not disrupt existing editorial systems, infact it enhances them, making implementation seamless for editorial teams. 

Here’s how we solve the “speed vs. quality” dilemma: 

• Access to the right experts: With thousands of reviewers, assignments are made quickly and matched precisely to the field. 

• Faster turnaround: Streamlined workflows reduce bottlenecks, cutting timelines from months to days. 

• Trusted quality: Every review is detailed, evidence-backed and designed to support robust editorial decisions. 

This combination means journals don’t have to compromise anymore. Speed and quality can work hand in hand. 

Impact on Journals 

When speed meets quality, the results are transformative: 

• Reduced backlog: Journals clear submissions faster, reducing pressure on editorial teams. 

• Higher author satisfaction: Fast, fair reviews improve author experience and retention. 

• Revenue opportunities: Timely publications attract more submissions, citations and visibility. 

• Sustained credibility: Rigorous peer review builds trust among readers and the scientific community. 

Conclusion 

Peer review is the backbone of scholarly publishing. But the system only works if it’s both timely and trustworthy. By scaling reviewer networks, leveraging technology to streamline workflows and ensuring rigorous standards, journals can finally break the false choice between speed and quality. 

The future of peer review isn’t about compromise, it’s about balance. And that future is already here. 

Discover how we support journals with fast, reliable peer review. Connect with us today. 

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As AI rapidly reshapes the academic publishing landscape, the launch comes at a pivotal moment. While AI delivers efficiency in areas like language checks and plagiarism screening, it has limitations in subject-specific expertise, contextual judgment, adherence to publication ethics and can also hallucinate by producing inaccurate or fabricated information. For over two decades, Editage has been trusted by scholars worldwide for high-quality editing, translation, and publication support. With AI’s rise, Editage China is taking the next step, providing affordable AI tools, expert services, and guidance on what to use, when, and why. 

Akhilesh Ayer, CEO of Cactus Communications, commented, “China is significantly integrating AI into its scholarly publishing ecosystem, guided by strong national AI strategies and investments in digital platforms. Our new solution operates at the intersection of technology and human prowess, helping the students and researchers benefit from our AI-driven efficiency without compromising on the integrity, accuracy, or quality.”   

The hybrid offering is designed to combine AI’s speed with expert editorial oversight: 

• Editage’s AI-powered solution delivers fast, reliable checks for grammar, clarity, and plagiarism, supported by ethical safeguards for students and researchers. 

• Experienced subject-matter experts add precision, contextual judgement and nuanced review. 

Researchers can now leverage the power of ethical AI tools with deep human expertise which is best demonstrated in the process of writing and submission of journal article. They can tackle common roadblocks such as word count reduction or improving readability, using our AI-powered writing assistant and then subject-area experts provide critical insights into the scientific strength and presentation of the paper, ultimately helping them enhance their work further. 

“Students and researchers often face uncertainty about when to rely on AI, when human input is indispensable, and when a hybrid approach is most effective. At Editage, we bridge this gap by combining human expertise with AI capabilities, guiding researchers toward the right path. Our new solution is aimed at empowering researchers with avenues to elevate the quality and impact of their work,” said Makoto Yuasa, Chief Growth Officer, Research Solutions, Cactus Communications 

With this launch, Editage China is redefining the scholarly publishing ecosystem with innovative, reliable, efficient and ethical solutions, setting a new standard for the future of knowledge creation. 

The post Editage China launches first-of-its-kind academic solution combining Ethical AI and Human Expertise appeared first on CACTUS.

In this role, Siddharth will spearhead B2B sales operations across the Western and EMEA markets, with a focus on strengthening enterprise business and accelerating revenue growth.

As CACTUS enters its third decade, the organization is sharpening its focus on delivering cutting-edge solutions, forging strategic partnerships and preparing for the next phase of growth. Siddharth will play a key role in strengthening CACTUS’ institutional and enterprise business, deepening market presence, and driving sustainable growth.

Siddharth joins CACTUS from WNS Global Services, where he was instrumental in scaling the data, analytics and AI business, leading initiatives across customer acquisition, revenue generation, and market expansion.

Commenting on the appointment:

Akhilesh Ayer, CEO, Cactus Communications, said, “We are delighted to welcome Siddharth to CACTUS at a pivotal moment in our journey. With his global expertise, extensive experience in scaling enterprise relationships, and history of building high-performing teams, he is an ideal leader to drive our upcoming expansion. We are confident that under Siddharth’s leadership, we will deepen our presence across key markets and forge impactful collaborations.”

Siddharth Bhatia, said, “I am excited to join CACTUS at a time when the organization is innovating at the intersection of AI, research, and enterprise solutions. As the world of knowledge sharing undergoes a dynamic transformation, there is a unique opportunity to reimagine how institutions and enterprises engage with innovative solutions. I look forward to leveraging CACTUS’ strengths to build meaningful partnerships, expand our global footprint, and deliver measurable value to organizations and researchers alike.”

Siddharth brings over two decades of global experience, having worked with Fortune 500 companies across 17 countries in sectors such as insurance, banking and financial services, retail, travel, and professional services. His previous leadership roles at EXL, American Express, and Ernst & Young, involved designing and executing data-driven growth strategies that delivered measurable impact.

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This is where value-add services come in, empowering authors to go beyond APCs and translate their research into measurable influence. 

Beyond the Transaction: Why APCs Aren’t Enough 

The open access movement has democratized research dissemination, allowing authors to reach broader audiences. Yet, with the explosion of publications, discoverability has become a pressing concern. Authors often ask: 

• How do I ensure my work is noticed among thousands of papers published daily?
• How can my research make a difference outside the academic bubble?

Paying an APC solves access but doesn’t solve attention. Authors need support that bridges the gap between publication and impact. 

Value-Add Services: Extending Reach of Research 

This is where value-add services make the difference. They help transform a paper into something that resonates with wider audiences. Examples include: 

• Graphical and Video Abstracts: Quick, visual ways to explain complex ideas.
• Social Media Amplification: Posts designed to connect with the right networks, researchers, academic societies, etc. 
• Press Releases and Easy Summaries: Breaking down findings into simple, engaging formats that spark broader conversations.
• Impact Tracking: Helping authors understand how their research is being shared, cited or discussed.

Together, these services convert articles into narratives that resonate. 

Empowering Authors, Elevating Journals 

For authors, these services mean more readers, more engagement and greater recognition. For journals, they build stronger relationships with authors, increase submissions and enhance reputation in a competitive space. 

It’s a win-win, what benefits the author also strengthens the journal. 

From APC to Impact: A New Paradigm 

The future of publishing is not just about making research available but making it meaningful. By offering value-add services, publishers can help authors: 

• Share their work with diverse audiences.
• Turn visibility into influence.
• Ensure that research drives conversation and change.

This shift from APC to impact marks a new paradigm where publishing is not just about what is shared, but how it resonates. 

Conclusion 

Paying an APC is just the starting point. Adding value-add services ensures research doesn’t just exist, it makes a difference. By helping authors move from publication to impact, publishers can play a vital role in shaping how knowledge is shared and remembered. 

Ready to support your authors beyond APCs? Contact us to discover how value-add services can take research from being published to being impactful. 

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As part of the summit, CACTUS’ CEO, Akhilesh Ayer, will join the panel “Enabling Innovation: Infrastructure, Capital & Collaborative Ecosystems” which will bring together leaders from academia and industry to explore strategies for accelerating India’s R&D landscape through stronger infrastructure, greater innovation, and the development of a world-class research ecosystem.

Commenting on the participation, Akhilesh Ayer, CEO, Cactus Communications, said, “India has immense opportunities to strengthen its innovation ecosystem through robust infrastructure, sustained funding, and collaborative networks that connect academia, industry, and government. The integration of AI with human expertise can act as a powerful driver for global leadership. The FICCI Bharat R&D Summit provides a vital platform to shape these discussions and to work with other industry leaders towards advancing India’s position as a global hub for research and innovation.”

Ruchi Chauhan, Vice President & Head of Marketing (ROW), Cactus Communications, added, “CACTUS is committed to advancing India’s research ecosystem by providing researcher-focused solutions that combine cutting-edge AI with human expertise. Our participation at the FICCI Bharat R&D Summit reflects our focus on building stronger partnerships with stakeholders across academia, industry, and government to enable greater global visibility and impact of research.”

In India, CACTUS has partnered with leading academic institutions and national bodies including the IITs, IIMs, IISERs, DBT Research Labs, and DST to provide training programs as well as by offering cutting-edge AI-powered tools. Globally, CACTUS collaborates with leading publishers and institutions to provide services and solutions that combine AI-driven technology with human expertise. These initiatives reflect CACTUS’ commitment to strengthening India’s research ecosystem while advancing the country’s ambition to emerge as a global leader in science and innovation.

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