IOP Publishing (IOPP) is advancing its commitment to open science by introducing a new data-sharing policy for Environmental Research: Food Systems (ERFS) and Environmental Research: Climate (ERCL). Under this policy, authors must publicly share the research data supporting their articles unless legal or ethical constraints prevent disclosure. Submissions lacking accessible data will only be considered in exceptional cases. This initiative serves as a pilot program, with potential future implementation across other journals in IOPP’s Environmental Research series.
The policy is designed to enhance transparency and scientific integrity by requiring authors to provide all data necessary to validate and reproduce their findings. In line with FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), the expectation is that shared datasets will be easily discoverable and reusable by the research community. While certain exemptions will be permitted—for instance, when data confidentiality laws apply—journal editors will have the discretion to reject submissions where the rationale for withholding data is deemed insufficient.
This development builds on IOPP’s existing data-sharing framework. Since 2022, authors have been required to include a data availability statement in their publications, specifying how their research data can be accessed. In 2023, the policy was further refined to require explicit justification when data is not publicly shared. The new pilot takes this commitment further by mandating open data sharing as the default practice.
Environmental researchers have demonstrated a strong culture of data openness. A study analyzing over 30,000 articles found that 80% of environmental scientists share their datasets, with nearly 60% adhering to FAIR principles. To further encourage this practice, IOPP is also introducing Dataset Articles across selected titles in the Environmental Research series, including ERFS. These articles will document curated datasets stored in approved repositories, facilitating reuse and ensuring proper credit for data-sharing efforts.
This initiative aligns with IOPP’s broader Open Physics program, which promotes accessibility, transparency, and inclusivity in scientific publishing. By fostering a more open approach to data sharing, IOPP aims to strengthen trust in research, improve reproducibility, and accelerate scientific discovery.
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