The problems we outline are systemic in nature and solving them is a long-term multi-stakeholder challenge. But at PLOS, our vision is that we can contribute essential elements of the solution and start effecting change from within publishing. We have embarked on a Research and Design project (PLOS 2024, October) to define the key elements of a new publishing model, anchored in open science principles with an accompanying business model to sustain it that can broaden access and participation.
We started the strategic development leading to this project by considering the roles and functions of publishers as outlined above, to identify which parts to keep, which to evolve, and which to “re-invent” in order to support open science. This is particularly important given the emergence of new ways to openly disseminate research: preprint servers, specialised repositories for various research outputs, journal-independent peer review, etc. We also carried out a scan of the landscape and a series of structured interviews with representatives of stakeholder groups to test and clarify our initial hypotheses (Mudditt 2022).
As much as possible, we want to work with the non-profit organisations that provide new open services and functionalities. Our intention is not to usurp their role but to integrate effectively with them and identify the changes that PLOS, as a publisher, can make to support the principles of open science more effectively.
Our ambition is to design solutions that will help catalyse systemic change and we acknowledge the complexity of the change required. To be successful, the solutions we develop must not only inspire researchers and be supported by librarians, but also integrate with the systems of the stakeholders who provide both funding and recognition. Furthermore, a diversity of perspectives is essential. Solutions to open science challenges developed for social psychologists do not necessarily translate for biologists. Interventions designed for the Global North can be counter-productive in the Global South. Teaching institutions cannot necessarily adopt the solutions designed for research-intensive universities. Therefore, a key component of this project is a broad community consultation and communications programme. We will engage with stakeholders across sectors, disciplines, regions, and institution types to test our solution designs with as wide a range of actors as possible to avoid creating or reinforcing inequities.
https://doi.org/10.1002/leap.2006
| Artificial Intelligence |
| Research Data Curation and Management Works |
| Digital Curation and Digital Preservation Works |
| Open Access Works |
| Digital Scholarship |