The British Society for Immunology (BSI) has reiterated its support for open access publishing by expanding awareness of the Read & Publish model available through its three journals: Clinical & Experimental Immunology, Immunotherapy Advances, and Discovery Immunology. These journals not only provide platforms for the dissemination of immunology research but also generate revenue that supports BSI’s broader activities, including research grants, scientific events, policy activities, and public engagement.
The Read & Publish arrangement enables researchers affiliated with participating institutions to publish open access without paying individual article processing charges. These agreements are structured between publishers and institutions rather than with individual authors. For BSI’s journals, the model is implemented in partnership with Oxford University Press (OUP). In the UK, institutions that are part of the national agreement coordinated by Jisc benefit from this framework. Researchers at these institutions may publish an unlimited number of articles in BSI journals—including research articles, reviews, brief reports, and case reports—without incurring publication fees.
Authors at eligible institutions can confirm their participation through a list maintained by OUP. If an article is accepted for publication in Clinical & Experimental Immunology, which operates on a hybrid model, the author can opt for open access without charge. In the case of the fully open access journals Immunotherapy Advances and Discovery Immunology, no fee is required prior to publication. This arrangement is intended to reduce administrative complexity and increase the accessibility of scholarly communication.
The broader objective of this model is to facilitate the open and equitable dissemination of scientific knowledge. Open access publication allows research findings to reach wider audiences without subscription barriers, which is particularly important in fields like immunology where findings can inform clinical decisions, public health strategies, and policy. In contexts such as global health emergencies, timely access to peer-reviewed findings has shown to be essential. Open access publishing also enhances research equity by allowing scholars in resource-constrained environments to participate in and contribute to current developments.
BSI affirms that all content published in its journals undergoes rigorous peer review. Revenue from the journals is reinvested into initiatives that serve the immunology community, including funding for early-career researchers, travel support, skill-building workshops, and public education. By choosing to publish with BSI, authors contribute not only to the research literature but also to the maintenance and growth of infrastructure that sustains scientific work in the field.
Each journal under the BSI umbrella serves distinct yet complementary roles. Clinical & Experimental Immunology (CEI), established in 1966 and currently led by Professor Claudia Mauri, focuses on studies with translational and clinical relevance, especially in areas such as autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, cancer, and infectious disease. Immunotherapy Advances, edited by Professor Tim Elliott, addresses immune system manipulation in disease contexts, encompassing research from preclinical stages through clinical trials. Discovery Immunology, under Professor Simon Milling, publishes studies on novel immune mechanisms in both human and animal systems, with relevance to basic and translational immunology.
The Society encourages researchers, particularly those affiliated with participating institutions, to explore the publishing opportunities offered through these journals. These options align with emerging open access mandates while also contributing to the development and sustainability of the immunology research ecosystem.
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