The Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers, is delighted to confirm the winners of the ALPSP University Press Rising Star Award 2026:

• Grace Balfour-Harle, Senior Desk Editor, Edinburgh University Press
• Heather Ramsay, Senior Marketing Executive, Edinburgh University Press
• Alice Tradewell, Books Marketing Assistant, Liverpool University Press

The University Press Rising Star Award, generously sponsored by Publishers’ Licensing Services, celebrates early‑career individuals who show exceptional promise. Open to ALPSP members, the nomination process invited colleagues to share, in up to 500 words, why their nominee deserves recognition.

Our winners have received a free in‑person place at the ALPSP University Press Redux Conference, plus support towards travel and hotel costs. After the event, they will be invited to write a short reflection (500–1000 words) about their experience, which will be featured on the ALPSP blog or website.

The ALPSP University Press Redux Conference will be held at The Spine in Liverpool, UK, from 17-18 March, where this year’s Rising Stars will be formally presented with their awards.

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About ALPSP

ALPSP is the international trade association which supports and represents not-for-profit organizations that publish scholarly and professional content, and those that work with them. Membership of ALPSP is for the whole organization so all employees can take advantage of the benefits on offer. ALPSP is proud to have over 320 member organizations across 35 countries. Find out more about how to join the ALPSP community.

About Publishers’ Licensing Services

Publishers’ Licensing Services (PLS) provides UK and international publishers with valuable collective licensing services. Our other services include support for their rights management and permissions. We were set up by publishers, for publishers, and are proud to have served the industry for more than four decades.