In a ground-breaking initiative aimed at fostering open access (OA) publishing and advancing scholarly communication in Sub-Saharan Africa, the South African National Library and Information Consortium (SANLiC) and academic publisher Taylor & Francis have unveiled a transformative three-year agreement. Marking Taylor & Francis' inaugural foray into sub-Saharan Africa with a transformative agreement, this collaboration promises to empower researchers in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia with unprecedented opportunities for global dissemination of their work.
Under the ambit of this pioneering agreement, researchers affiliated with participating institutions gain unfettered access to publish OA articles across more than 2,100 journals hosted by Taylor & Francis. This includes renowned titles from Routledge Open Select (hybrid) journals, UNISA Press, and NISC co-published titles. Notably, corresponding authors will have the autonomy to opt for OA publication, thereby amplifying the visibility and impact of their research on a global scale.
The agreement, tailored to address the unique challenges faced by researchers in the humanities and social sciences (HSS), endeavors to mitigate the financial barriers associated with OA publishing. By covering OA publishing charges for eligible articles, the initiative aims to democratize access to scholarly literature and foster inclusivity within the academic community.
Moreover, the agreement encompasses provisions for extended journal access, granting faculty and students at participating institutions the privilege to peruse over 1,900 journals spanning both HSS and Science and Technology disciplines. This comprehensive access not only enriches scholarly discourse but also catalyzes interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.
In addition to facilitating OA publishing, Taylor & Francis has committed to delivering a robust editorial-led training program aimed at equipping researchers in the region with essential skills and insights into publishing and open research practices. This initiative underscores the partners' shared commitment to nurturing a culture of academic excellence and innovation within the Sub-Saharan African research landscape.
As SANLiC and Taylor & Francis pave the way for open access publishing in Sub-Saharan Africa, the partnership stands as a testament to the transformative potential of collaborative efforts in advancing scholarly communication and knowledge dissemination on a global scale.
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