The Link

News, initiatives, and community spotlights for research professionals

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The news blog for all facilitators of research covering market updates & trends, expert interviews, product applicability and more: 

Meet the experts

Introducing the diverse team of blog contributors, each specializing in distinct areas: Corporate & Health industry insights, the dynamic landscape of library roles, research management strategies, dedicated researcher support, and the advocacy of open science principles.


Mary Ellen Bates

Information Industry

Mary Ellen Bates

Trusted information professional Mary Ellen Bates, based in Colorado, is the principal of Bates Information Services Inc., offering strategic business research and consulting to the information industry since 1991. A recipient of prestigious professional awards, like the John Jacob Astor Award in Library and Information Science, she contributes blogs, including "Info Pros’ Role in Supporting Growth".

Emily Esposito

Corporate & Health Industry

Emily Esposito

Emily Esposito, Senior Marketing Manager from New York, passionately connects corporate markets, information managers, and R&D departments. She shares vital insights on 7 critical messages Info Pros want R&D scientists to know through her blog, intertwining her dedication to family with industry expertise, fostering invaluable connections and community.

Una Farr

Community Perspectives

Una Farr

Una Farr is Head of B2B Content Marketing, based in the London office, and is focused on exploring new trends and insights to foster knowledge sharing in the research community. With a love of literature and poetry, she aims to bring a creative element to all of her work.

Silvia He

Advancements in China

Silvia He

Silvia He, Marketing Manager from Shanghai, spearheads content, community and engagement marketing in China. She actively bridges Chinese research communities with the global stage, while constantly sharing with global audience the latest trends in open science and other academic advancements in China.

Saskia Hoving

Innovation across communities

Saskia Hoving

In the Dordrecht office, Senior Marketing Manager Saskia Hoving is Editor-in-Chief of The Link Newsletter and The Link Blog, covering trends & insights for all facilitators of research. Focusing on on the evolving roles of research offices, libraries and R&D teams in areas such as research assessment, AI and researcher support, examining how research practices shape innovation and societal change. With a lifelong passion for sports and an interest in "Women's inclusion in today's science", Saskia brings dynamic perspectives to her work.

Jeffrey Robens

Researcher Support

Jeffrey Robens

Passionate runner, publishing consultant and Nature Masterclasses' lead trainer, Dr Jeffrey Robens heads community engagement, offering 20 years of academic expertise. With extensive experience in Asia and the Middle East, he has conducted over 600 workshops to enhance publication quality and researcher development. Dive deeper into his thoughts on effective researcher training in his blog post, "Virtual versus in-person seminars: Which training support is most beneficial?”.

Nicole Jackson

Open Science

Nicole Jackson

Nicole Jackson, Senior Marketing Manager in London, supports global organisations in navigating OA publishing trends. She channels her passion for her dog into her work, infusing creativity and empathy. Nicole equips researchers with practical tools for their OA journey. Don't miss her blog post, "Transitioning to Open Access: Reflections from Three US Organizations", for invaluable insights.

Robert Hilliker

Changing role of the library

Robert Hilliker

Robert Hilliker is Director of Library Relations (North America) at Springer Nature. With over two decades of experience across academic and school libraries, his career has spanned technical services, digital scholarship, and senior leadership roles. Prior to joining Springer Nature, he served as Associate Provost for Library Information Services at Rowan University. A longtime advocate for library values and community engagement, Robert has also served on the Board of the American Association of School Librarians and remains deeply committed to supporting librarians in navigating today’s evolving information landscape.

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