academic publishing

8 Biggest Publishers of Scientific Books

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Biggest publishers of scientific books

Introduction Scientific publishing is a colossal industry, quietly shaping academic progress, technological innovation, and global policy decisions. While academic journals tend to dominate discussions about scholarly communication, scientific books are equally vital to the field. These books, ranging from comprehensive textbooks to advanced research monographs, play a crucial role in educating future scientists, advancing knowledge, … Read more

Why are DOIs Important?

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Introduction If you’ve ever tried to cite an academic paper, you’ve likely stumbled across a string of characters starting with “10.” followed by a long string of digits and slashes. That little string is a DOI—a Digital Object Identifier. It looks unassuming, but don’t let that fool you. The DOI is arguably one of the … Read more

Academic Publishing and the Prestige Paradox

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Academic publishing and the prestige paradox - Featured

Introduction For all its intellectual nobility, the world of academic publishing runs on a far less romantic fuel: prestige. Prestige powers citation counts, career advancement, funding decisions, and even university rankings. It’s also the glue that holds the entire scholarly publishing ecosystem together. But there’s a paradox at its core. Prestige, in theory, should reflect … Read more

The Long Road to Academic Publishing Reform

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The long road to academic publishing reform

Introduction Academic publishing is in crisis. Or, to be more precise, it has been in a slow-motion, decades-long spiral where systemic inertia, commercial greed, and outdated prestige structures have created an ecosystem that’s as inefficient as it is profitable, for some. Despite the rise of digital platforms, open access initiatives, and AI tools, meaningful reform … Read more

The Unpaid Labor of Academic Publishing

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The unpaid labor of academic publishing

Introduction Academic publishing is a multi-billion-dollar industry—valued at almost $30 billion globally—propped up by a curious economic paradox: the majority of its labor force works for free. Peer reviewers, editors, and even authors provide their services without direct compensation, supporting publishing conglomerates that report profit margins rivaling those of tech giants. How did this industry, … Read more