The academic landscape is now ripe for a paradigm shift in how knowledge is shared.
Scientific publishing is the bedrock of science and medicine, fuelling the relentless march of discoveryand innovation. From Edward Jenner’s life-saving smallpox vaccine in the 18th century to Watson and Crick’s ground-breaking DNA structure in 1953, the publication of paradigm shifting research in respected journals has not only validated and archived knowledge, but also spurred collaboration, ignited further inquiry, and bridged the gap between theory and practice. This delicate balance between rigorous validation and open dissemination lies at the heart of scientific progress, shaping our understanding of the
world and enriching human health.
A fundamental imbalance hampers this delicate balance of knowledge sharing. While peer review safeguards quality, the current model fuels frustrations. Researchers shell out thousands to publish, peer reviewers donate their expertise, and readers face paywalls that can cost hundreds, as publishers generate significant revenue. What entrenched forces maintain this one-sided model in the face of mounting critiques? Is it time for a paradigm shift, where open access and equitable participation become the cornerstone of scientific communication? Open access initiatives and collaborative platforms beckon, promising a future where knowledge flows freely, enriching all corners of society.
THE CURRENT CONUNDRUM
In the realm of scientific publishing, four key players emerge: 1. Researchers, who author papers to share their discoveries; 2. Peer reviewers, who scrutinise these papers pre-publication, ensuring the research is sound and interpretations are robust; 3. Readers, often fellow scientific researchers or clinicians, who utilise the published findings for further research or societal benefit; 4. Publishing houses or journals, which are the platforms for disseminating these papers, typically online in recent times.
The current model sees researchers compelled to pay substantial fees to publish their findings. Envision spending thousands of dollars for each paper—a cost that places a considerable strain on academic budgets. This strain is especially pronounced in lower and middle-income countries, where currency differences magnify the financial burden. While authors of books get royalty, there is no such concept for research publications.
Peer reviewers stand as the overlooked pillars in this system. These knowledgeable subject experts invest their time and skills to uphold research integrity, yet they typically receive no compensation for their vital contributions, which are often undervalued.
Readers aren’t spared either. Researchers and the public often need to pay for expensive subscriptions or per-paper fees to access research papers, a barrier that hinders the core purpose of scientific inquiry—sharing knowledge. This barrier particularly hampers young, talented scientific researchers or clinicians in developing countries, facing financial hurdles each time they attempt to access academic papers, thereby stifling knowledge dissemination and educational progress.
The fourth key player, publishing houses and journals, occupy a critical yet often controversial role in this ecosystem. These entities generate substantial revenue by leveraging the contributions of the other key players—researchers, peer reviewers, and readers. Upon publication, the copyrights of articles are typically transferred to these publishers, granting them considerable control over the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Moreover, publishers engage in creating and maintaining various metrics such as citation counts, impact factors, and journal rankings. These statistics play a pivotal role in the academic world, influencing career advancements and funding decisions. They keep the academic community continuously striving for high-impact publications and prestigious journal placements. This dynamic, while driving the pursuit of excellence, also perpetuates the existing system where publishers hold significant power and influence over the flow and accessibility of scientific information.
OPEN ACCESS PUBLISHING
The existing publishing model inevitably raises the question: Can we achieve a more equitable system? Presently, some journals provide an “open access” option, making research freely accessible to all readers. Often, this approach requires authors to pay extra fees for open access, on top of usual publication costs. Such an additional financial burden can be prohibitively expensive, particularly for researchers affiliated with underfunded institutions or those based in developing countries. As a result, many researchers who cannot afford these fees are compelled to publish their work behind paywalls, inadvertently limiting access to their research to only those who can afford the steep subscription or
access fees. Consequently, this limitation hinders the widespread dissemination of potentially valuable research. In essence, while labelled as open access, this model falls short of its promise to provide truly barrier-free access to knowledge and research findings.
Universities and governments, already possessing the requisite network of editors and peer reviewers, have the opportunity to transform the landscape of academic publishing. By redirecting funds currently allocated for journal subscriptions, they could support a model of open access publishing that is free for both authors and readers. This pivotal shift would democratize the realm of knowledge, eliminating financial obstacles for authors and ensuring that innovative research reaches a worldwide audience, unrestricted by economic barriers. Envisioning and implementing a new financial structure for open access could foster a more inclusive and diverse academic dialogue. In this reimagined ecosystem, high-
quality research from every corner of the globe would be freely shared and acknowledged, bolstering collaboration and spurring innovation across a multitude of disciplines.
CHALLENGES AND ALTERNATIVES
The challenge lies in the prestige associated with established journals. These entities have fostered an ecosystem where their platforms are perceived as inherently more ‘valuable’. In this setting, publishing houses reap profits from multiple sources: authors, reviewers, and readers, solidifying their influence in the academic sphere. This profit-centric approach of many journals often stands in stark contrast to the core values of scientific inquiry and the dissemination of knowledge, presenting a significant ethical conundrum. This transition to open access will be fraught with resistance to the disruption of this status quo from established players. In addition, open access publishing presents its own inherent challenges, including financial sustainability, quality assurance, and the risk of predatory practices.
Promising alternatives to this transition include community-driven journals and novel funding strategies that promote open access. This brings up the key question: Does the long-term impact of the current publishing model serve more as an impediment than a catalyst in the advancement of knowledge? The answer lies in re-evaluating our priorities and reshaping the landscape of academic publishing to align more closely with the altruistic ethos of science and research.
EMPHASISING INDIA’S POTENTIAL
India’s tradition of knowledge and learning is deeply ingrained in a philosophy of openness and collective wisdom. The nation’s rich tapestry of scholarly texts, many of which were ground-breaking for their era and profound in their philosophical depth, serve as a testament to this ethos. These works, often disseminated without individual authorship claims, underscore a long-standing culture of shared intellectualism. This historical backdrop uniquely positions India to confront and potentially reshape the challenges posed by the contemporary publishing landscape. Embracing this legacy, India has the potential to play a pivotal role in advocating for and implementing more open and equitable models of knowledge dissemination, aligning with its historical commitment to the free exchange of ideas. Envision the creation of a pioneering organisation, the ‘National Open Access Framework’ (NOAF), modelled on the objectives and structure of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), an initiative that presented an Indian counterpart to global university ranking systems, embodying the ‘Make in India’ ethos. With robust funding and support from the government, the NOAF would not only revolutionise the academic publishing landscape but also mark a significant stride in India’s journey towards becoming a global knowledge powerhouse. This entity, by promoting open access and fostering a
culture of transparent and equitable knowledge dissemination, could serve as a beacon for scholarly and scientific communities worldwide, leading the way in redefining the norms of academic publishing.
This NOAF initiative, aptly summarised by the motto “Publish in India, Publish for the World,” aims to not only redefine the landscape of global academic publishing but also to ensure that knowledge and research generated within India gain a universal platform. It’s an endeavour to make quality research from all corners of the globe accessible and shared, thereby fostering a more inclusive and interconnected global intellectual community. This bold step could establish India not just as a hub for producing high-calibre research but also as a leader in championing the global exchange of scholarly ideas and findings.
In this model, publication fees would be nominal, covering operational costs rather than generating profit. The primary criterion for publication would be the quality and rigour of the research itself, rather than the financial capacity of the researcher. This approach aligns seamlessly with India’s rich capabilities and cultural heritage, illustrating how a government-supported autonomous organisation can be both sustainable and significantly influential. This initiative would require a diverse range of journals across various fields, catering to the global academic community’s diverse needs. It’s a bold step, one that could
see India leading the way, showcasing how a nation can honour its rich knowledge heritage while shaping a more equitable future for scientific publishing.
A CALL TO ACTION
The academic landscape is now ripe for a paradigm shift in how knowledge is shared. Universities and governments must rise to the challenge, embracing innovative models that prioritise accessibility and merit over financial barriers. Will they dismantle the outdated paywall system and champion equitable access? Will they muster the courage to steer this behemoth of a system towards a future where knowledge truly empowers all? The future of knowledge depends on their answer.
Dr Shashikiran Umakanth, MBBS, MD, FRCP is Professor & Head, Department of Medicine, Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.