Cambridge University Press has announced a large-scale, community-driven review of the open research publishing landscape. The initiative seeks to identify innovative, practical solutions that balance sustainability with the evolving needs of researchers and key stakeholders.
To facilitate this process, the publisher is inviting researchers, librarians, funders, publishers, and industry partners worldwide to participate. The review will be conducted through workshops, interviews, and an online survey managed by independent research consultancy Shift Insight.
The project will explore four critical aspects shaping the future of open research:
• The relationship between publishing, academic recognition, and reward systems
• Equity in research dissemination
• The integrity of research practices
• The impact of technological advancements on scholarly publishing
Findings from the review will be compiled into a report scheduled for release in the summer, outlining major challenges and potential pathways for advancing open research. Cambridge University Press will also continue working with the academic community to implement strategies that drive meaningful progress in scholarly publishing.
According to Mandy Hill, Managing Director of Cambridge University Press, while significant strides have been made toward fully open publishing, fundamental issues persist in the current system. She emphasized the necessity for transformative change, noting that existing reward structures reinforce outdated models, inequities limit access to knowledge, and emerging technologies require a reevaluation of publishing approaches. She stressed that addressing these challenges requires widespread collaboration across the academic ecosystem.
Dr. Jessica Gardner, University Librarian at the University of Cambridge, highlighted that open research practices are central to the institution’s mission of contributing to global scholarship. She pointed to Cambridge’s emphasis on collaboration as a strength in bringing together diverse perspectives to support the development of a more equitable and sustainable open research framework.
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