The MIT Press has announced the release of a whitepaper titled "Access to Science and Scholarship: Key Questions about the Future of Research Publishing." The project, featuring contributions from notable figures including MIT Press’s Director and Publisher Amy Brand and Director of Journals and Open Access Nick Lindsay, delves into the current state of the research enterprise and explores potential future trajectories for academic publishing.
The whitepaper addresses the critical interplay between the health of the research enterprise and the dynamics of the scientific and scholarly publishing ecosystem. Over the past two decades, changes in publishing models, driven by policies, technology, and market forces, have led to disruptions within the academic publishing landscape.
The project seeks to raise awareness within the research community about the underlying drivers of change in academic publishing and the potential consequences for the research enterprise. With decisions being made that could impact research budgets, increase researcher workloads, and reshape publishing options, the whitepaper aims to empower researchers by providing insights into these ongoing developments.
The paper is a collaborative effort involving prominent contributors such as Phillip A. Sharp, William B. Bonvillian, Robert Desimone, Barbara Imperiali, David R. Karger, Clapperton Chakanetsa Mavhunga, Amy Brand, Nick Lindsay, and Michael Stebbins. Their combined expertise offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolving landscape of open-access publishing.
The Executive Summary of the white paper outlines key themes and questions for further investigation. Part 1 provides a historical overview of open-access publishing, illustrating the intricate relationships between researcher behavior, funder policies, and publisher business models. Part 2 presents a list of key questions categorized into six general areas: access and business models, research data, preprint publishing, peer review, costs to researchers and universities, and infrastructure.
As the academic community grapples with these pressing issues, this paper serves as a valuable resource to inform discussions and decisions related to the future of research publishing. By addressing crucial questions and providing historical context, the MIT Press and its collaborators aim to contribute to a more informed and sustainable future for academic publishing.
Click here to read the original press release.
