Beyond Access: How Equitable Scholarly Communication is Redefining Research

Published in Science and Technology on Friday, August 22nd 2025 at 2:10 GMT by Phys.org
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For decades, the traditional model of scholarly communication – dominated by expensive journal subscriptions and limited author rights – has perpetuated inequalities within and between institutions. While open access (OA) initiatives have made strides in increasing accessibility to research, a deeper reckoning is underway. The focus is shifting from simply access to actively fostering equitable scholarly communication, addressing systemic biases and power imbalances that continue to disadvantage researchers, particularly those from the Global South, under-resourced institutions, and marginalized communities.

This movement, as highlighted by recent discussions with Dr. Sarah Tewa (Director of Research at the African Academy of Sciences) and Dr. John Willinsky (Associate Director of the Public Knowledge Project), isn't just about making research freely available online. It’s a fundamental rethinking of who gets to participate in the scholarly conversation, how they do so, and under what conditions.

The Problem with Open Access 1.0: While OA has undeniably broadened access, it hasn't solved all problems. The rise of “predatory” open access journals – those prioritizing profit over quality control – has created a new set of challenges. Researchers, often pressured to publish frequently and demonstrate impact, can be vulnerable to these exploitative practices, particularly if they lack institutional support or awareness. Furthermore, the gold OA model (where authors pay article processing charges - APCs) disproportionately burdens researchers from institutions with limited funding, effectively creating a financial barrier to participation.

"Open access has been instrumental in democratizing access to research," explains Dr. Tewa, "but it hasn't necessarily addressed the underlying power dynamics within academia." She emphasizes that many researchers in Africa and other developing regions are still excluded due to lack of resources, infrastructure, and recognition for their work. The APC model can be prohibitive, forcing them to choose between publishing in reputable journals (often requiring APCs) or being overlooked entirely.

Moving Towards Equitable Scholarly Communication: The emerging framework of equitable scholarly communication aims to address these shortcomings through a multi-pronged approach:

Decentralization and Community Ownership: The traditional reliance on large, commercial publishers is being challenged by the rise of community-led initiatives like Diamond Open Access (DOA) journals. These journals are free for both readers and authors, funded through institutional support or grants, and often governed by editorial boards comprised of researchers within specific fields. Dr. Willinsky’s work with the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), which provides open source software to create and manage these journals, is a key example of this decentralized model. "We're seeing a real shift towards empowering communities to take control of their own research dissemination," says Dr. Willinsky.
Rethinking Metrics & Recognition: The current system heavily relies on journal impact factors (JIF) and citation counts as measures of research quality, which often favors researchers in well-resourced institutions and those publishing in high-profile journals. Equitable scholarly communication advocates for alternative metrics – such as Altmetrics, which track social media mentions and other online engagement – and a broader recognition of diverse forms of scholarship, including peer review, data sharing, and community impact.
Addressing Language Barriers: The dominance of English in academic publishing creates significant barriers for researchers whose first language is not English. Efforts are underway to promote multilingualism in scholarly communication, encouraging the publication of research in local languages and providing translation support.
Fair Author Rights & Copyright Retention: Many traditional publishers retain copyright over authors' work, limiting their ability to share or reuse their own findings. Equitable models prioritize author rights, allowing researchers to freely disseminate their work and build upon it. The SHERPA/REFUSE project provides resources for institutions to negotiate copyright retention with publishers.
Institutional Support & Policy Changes: Universities and research funding agencies have a crucial role to play in fostering equitable scholarly communication by adopting supportive policies, providing financial assistance for APCs (when necessary), and encouraging researchers to publish in community-led journals. Many institutions are now implementing "transformative agreements" with publishers, which allow their affiliated researchers to publish open access without paying APCs.
Capacity Building & Training: Providing training and support for researchers on topics such as copyright, predatory publishing, and alternative metrics is essential for empowering them to navigate the evolving landscape of scholarly communication. The Future of Research: The shift towards equitable scholarly communication represents a fundamental change in how research is created, disseminated, and valued. It’s not simply about making research more accessible; it's about creating a more inclusive and just system that empowers researchers from all backgrounds to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the global community. While challenges remain – including overcoming entrenched power structures and ensuring sustainable funding models for community-led initiatives – the momentum is building towards a future where scholarly communication truly reflects the diversity of human knowledge and experience. The conversation, as Dr. Tewa emphasizes, "is about more than just access; it's about justice."

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Beyond Access: How Equitable Scholarly Communication is Redefining Research