In response to the growing urgency of climate change impacts on the world's water systems, AGU is taking a monumental step towards open science and equitable accessibility. Water Resources Research (WRR), AGU's pivotal hydrology journal that disseminates pivotal insights into Earth's water movement and management, is poised to embrace a transformative shift. As of January 1, 2024, WRR will transition from a hybrid publishing model to a fully open access platform.
The journey to open access is anchored in AGU's commitment to upholding principles of fairness and transparency. By dismantling paywalls and ensuring that ground-breaking research is readily accessible to researchers and the wider public alike, AGU's initiative aligns seamlessly with the overarching ethos of open science.
In the face of escalating global challenges, ranging from floods and droughts to water quality degradation due to wildfires and human-driven pollution, the need for transparent and accessible research has reached paramount significance. Open access journals have the power to dismantle barriers, fostering inclusivity and driving the exchange of the latest advances among scholars and the public.
AGU's dedicated pursuit of open access gained momentum as early as 2002, when it first acknowledged the imperative need for unrestricted access to research. This commitment accelerated with the acquisition of the Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems (JAMES) in 2012, AGU's first fully open access journal. Subsequent milestones, including the creation of Earth’s Future and the transformation of Geophysical Research Letters to fully open access in 2022, solidified AGU's vision.
The selection of Water Resources Research for this transformation is rooted in its enduring legacy as a beacon of hydrological science. Its pivotal role in facilitating progress and innovation for nearly 60 years has positioned it as a conduit for vital research. AGU's Hydrology section, comprising around 7,000 members and authors, played a decisive role in advocating for this strategic transition.
While the transition to fully open access fosters greater inclusivity, AGU acknowledges the financial implications it might pose for researchers. The shift entails a restructuring of the cost model, leading to increased Article Processing Charges (APCs) to offset the loss of subscription fees. AGU's commitment to inclusivity remains steadfast, bolstered by a robust framework of institutional agreements and waivers designed to alleviate financial burdens for a diverse range of researchers.
Through its transformative journey, AGU embodies a profound commitment to open science, ensuring that research is not only accessible but also comprehensible to a wider audience. By requiring authors to submit "plain-language summaries" alongside their research, AGU paves the way for greater public engagement and comprehension.
As AGU continues to propel journals into fully open access domains, it steadfastly champions open science as a means of fostering knowledge exchange, collaborative innovation, and global problem-solving.
AGU's transition to fully open access is not merely about tearing down paywalls; it's about enabling an environment where research is openly shared, built upon, and advanced for the betterment of society and our planet.
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