Independent Thinking on Publishing's Future
Introduction In the evolving landscape of academic publishing, Article Processing Charges (APCs) have become both a prominent and controversial feature, particularly in the world of open access journals. As more researchers turn to open access models to maximize the visibility and reach of their work, they often face steep fees ranging from a few hundred … Read more
Introduction A graphical abstract is a single image that summarises a paper’s question, method and main finding. This article explains what makes one effective, what the evidence says about its effect on visibility and comprehension, and how publishers can build graphical abstracts into their editorial workflows. Key points In the fast-paced world of scholarly communication, … Read more
Introduction Open access was once described as the bold future of academic publishing. The vision was compelling: research available to all, freely and instantly, without the walls of expensive journal subscriptions. This wasn’t just about convenience—it was about justice. If public money funds research, why should the public pay again to read it? Open access … Read more
Introduction Author guidelines are the instructions a journal gives to anyone preparing a manuscript, and they shape the quality of everything that reaches the editor’s desk. This guide shows editors how to write guidelines that authors can actually follow, from scope and formatting to ethics, AI disclosure, and a final checklist. Key points Creating comprehensive … Read more
Introduction The world of academic publishing, long seen as a noble facilitator of knowledge exchange, is under fire. For many researchers, librarians, and policymakers, commercial publishers have come to represent not just a necessary partner but a deeply problematic one—an entity profiting immensely from a system built on unpaid labor and public funding. The core … Read more