Taylor & Francis has successfully published 26 new open access (OA) books addressing critical global challenges, marking the end of the first year of its collaborative funding initiative, Pledge to Open. The initiative, which launched in July 2023, brings together support from institutions around the world to make important scholarly works accessible to all, without placing the burden of OA publishing costs on authors.
The newly published titles cover a range of pressing issues, including climate change, mental health, women’s rights, populism, and racism. Notable titles include Innovation Pathways to Sustainability, State-Sponsored Disinformation Around the Globe, and Creating Empowering Environments for People with Dementia. These books are part of seven interdisciplinary themed collections designed to maximize the reach and impact of research on key global topics.
Pledge to Open was created to provide a more equitable option for OA publishing, enabling books to be freely accessible without requiring authors to secure funding. The initiative invited institutions to support one or more of the themed collections, and sufficient pledges were secured to publish 26 books OA in its first year. Institutions from North America, Australasia, and Europe participated, with 24 organizations, including both large universities and smaller research institutions, contributing to the effort.
With the success of the first year, Taylor & Francis has announced plans to launch a second year of Pledge to Open in September 2024. The next phase will feature a refreshed model, incorporating insights gained from the inaugural year to further enhance the initiative’s impact.
Organizations interested in participating in the upcoming Pledge to Open program can contact Taylor & Francis at pledgetoopen@tandf.co.uk for more information.
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