In this discussion, Paul Ayris, a pioneer in open access at UCL Press, and Philipp Koellinger, a social science genetics expert and CEO of DeSci Labs, tackle the pressing issues in academic publishing. They explore new models aimed at enhancing research visibility and dismantling paywalls. Ayris shares insights about UCL’s groundbreaking open access initiatives, while Koellinger introduces DeSci Publish, a pre-print network revolutionizing research dissemination. Together, they highlight the critical need for transparency, equity, and innovation in scholarly communication.
The entrenched 'publish or perish' culture in academia pressures scholars, often compromising the integrity of published work and necessitating reform.
Innovative models like UCL Press and DeSci Labs are emerging to enhance research accessibility and transparency while removing traditional publishing barriers.
Early-career researchers benefit from robust proposals that contextualize their work within global issues, boosting publication chances and societal impact.
Deep dives
Challenges in Academic Publishing
The academic publishing landscape faces significant challenges, primarily driven by the entrenched 'publish or perish' culture within universities. Scholars feel immense pressure to publish their research due to the intense competition for funding and recognition, often resulting in practices that compromise the integrity of the published work. Issues such as soaring retraction rates, accusations of corrupted peer review processes, and exploitative models from commercial publishers highlight the pressing need for reform in this sector. Despite these challenges, the importance of disseminating new knowledge remains paramount, prompting discussions for alternative publishing solutions.
Innovative Paths in Open Access Publishing
Paul Aris, who established UCL Press as the UK's first fully open access university press, exemplifies innovative approaches to academic publishing. He recognized the necessity for universities to create their own press to enhance the dissemination of research outputs while ensuring rigorous review processes. Under his leadership, UCL Press has expanded beyond monographs to include a successful e-textbook platform and an interdisciplinary mega journal, enabling greater accessibility to research. This model reflects a shift towards inclusivity, allowing more scholars from varying disciplines to share their work without the barriers commonly found in traditional publishing.
Decentralizing Science with Technology
Philip Kurlinger co-founded Desai Labs to address transparency and reproducibility in scientific research through a decentralized model. This platform allows researchers to share their ongoing work and past publications without the constraints of traditional paywalls, fostering collaboration and agile responses to scientific inquiries. By leveraging tools such as versionable content and AI-driven analytics, Desai Labs seeks to streamline the publishing process while rewarding peer reviewers for their contributions to quality assurance. This innovative approach illustrates a commitment to ensuring that valuable scientific work is recognized and accessible to a broader audience.
The Importance of a Strong Research Proposal
For early-career researchers, developing a robust proposal is crucial for increasing the chances of publication. This proposal should effectively contextualize their research within existing literature while demonstrating its relevance to pressing global issues. Articulating how their work can address challenges such as climate change and social equality enhances its appeal to peer reviewers and journals alike. A well-crafted proposal not only sets the stage for successful publication but also ensures that research contributes meaningfully to societal needs.
Navigating the Future with Artificial Intelligence
The integration of artificial intelligence in academic publishing presents both opportunities and challenges that are critical for future practices. AI tools can enhance research efficiency by providing high-quality translations and speeding up the writing process, making scholarly work more accessible globally. However, ethical considerations surrounding copyright and attribution remain at the forefront of discussions among researchers and publishers. Balancing the utility of AI in research dissemination with the need for proper acknowledgment and transparency is essential for realizing its full potential while safeguarding authors' rights.
Learn about new models in academic publishing that could better serve academia by helping scholars get their work into the public sphere more readily, removing financial barriers for authors and readers and underpinning better research practices.
We speak to two academics about the challenges associated with the dominant commercial academic publishing model and how they are seeking more effective ways to enable researchers to disseminate knowledge.
Paul Ayris is pro-vice provost for library services at University College London and chief executive of UCL Press which he founded 10 years ago as the UK’s first fully open access university press. The press produces a range of open access monographs and edited collections, student textbooks and academics journals and is now home to UCL Open Environment, the only multidisciplinary open science journal focused on all environment related topics.
Philipp Koellinger is a professor in social science genetics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and co-founder and CEO of a tech start-up DeSci Labs which hosts DeSci Publish, a pre-print network where scientific research is published, validated, and curated without paywalls or publication charges.
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