Open access publishing platform launched for African scientists

African scientists are getting their own open access publication platform, which will use a system of transparent, post-publication peer review.

The African Academy of Sciences, in partnership with F1000, is launching AAS Open Research, which will offer immediate online publication to AAS-funded and affiliated researchers.

Peer review reports will be published alongside the articles, together with the names and affiliations of the reviewers, with authors having the option to revise their article in response. Accompanying data and any associated software code will also be made freely available.

Launching early next year, AAS Open Research follows the model of funder publication platforms established by the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which also use a model developed by F1000.

By passing publication decisions to researchers, rather than editors, the AAS hopes that the new platform will break the mould of research from low-income countries being perceived differently to studies from high-income countries, creating a level playing field in global research.

Nelson Torto, the AAS’s executive director, said that there would be “multifaceted” benefits for African researchers.

“The platform will be fully open access, allowing for increased visibility of research generated from the continent and to underlying datasets, which will transform research into a powerful resource for educating future generations of scientists, solving Africa’s pressing and common challenges; and [the platform will] facilitate delivery through AAS’s vision of driving scientific and technological development in Africa,” Professor Torto said.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com