Dear HIFA colleagues,
I'm sure there are others like me who'd appreciate a simple listing of the "carrots" (incentives) and "sticks" (disincentives) for researchers to publish in open access journals - especially when the research topic is of importance to low- and middle-income countries.
I know, for example, that mandates by funders such as the Wellcome Trust support OA publication. Good global reach is probably another carrot.
On the other hand, perceptions about "impact" and "research quality", publication costs, predatory journals, and confusion about types of OA (hybrid etc) may discourage OA publication.
We need to know more about these carrots and sticks so that we can explore the role that funders, policymakers, research institutions and others can play in encouraging use of OA. For example, if research tenure at an academic institution is based on impact, inevitably researchers will want to publish in a so-called "high impact" journal, with OA a secondary consideration.
Best wishes
Julie
HIFA profile: Julie N Reza is a UK-based specialist in communications for biosciences, global health & international development (www.globalbiomedia.co.uk). She predominantly works with NGOs and not-for-profit organisations. Previously she was the senior science editor at TDR, based at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva; prior to this she worked at the Wellcome Trust, UK, leading educational projects on international health topics including trypanosomiasis and trachoma. She has a PhD in immunology and a specialist degree in science communication. She also has several years research and postgraduate teaching experience. She is a member of the HIFA Steering Group and HIFA Social Media Working Group. https://www.hifa.org/support/members/julie-n naimareza AT hotmail.com