Welcome to the world of higher ed magazines. Join us as we walk through the basics together in an informative, interactive session. We’ll cover how to shape your magazine’s identity and mission as well as how to build an editorial structure and a design that supports it. Along the way we’ll talk about how to find and build stories — from the first idea to that final illustration — that will keep readers engaged and intellectually curious. We’ve built in time for audience interaction and your burning questions, from the basic, “What’s an alumni magazine for anyway?” to the more complex: “How do I navigate internal politics and conflicting expectations from different constituents?” We’ll send you back to campus with food for thought and resources, too.

Ready to turn the page on your current publication? Using real-life examples from our recent redesign, we’ll help you set a foundation for your project, build a roadmap for brainstorming, and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders. And bring your questions: How do I make the business case? How can I build momentum for change? Where do I even start with this process? We can promise robust discussion, honest answers, and clear-eyed advice. (We might even share our scars.)

Joanna Weiss accepted a job as editor of Harvard Magazine in April, 2025—just as the Trump administration was about to launch an unprecedented assault on Harvard and the rest of higher education. Here's a glimpse at how the Harvard Magazine staff has covered the crisis, and how they've navigated different constituencies, from the university administration to alumni readers of all political stripes.

Great work sprouts from a great idea. But when deadlines are looming, who's got time to seek inspiration? Join the 2026 Editors Forum Content Committee as they share some of their favorite stories and the unique ways they were inspired. They’ll then open the floor to you! Participants will have the opportunity to share some of their own favorite stories and what sparked the initial idea. We’ll send you into the second day of the conference with a jolt of an inspiration