The past year has seen a resurgence of journal editorial boards resigning in protest over commercial publisher policies. With a track record stretching back over a decade, these collective resignations are an effective strategy for creating immediate change and empowering researchers to take back control of their publication.
As in years past, many resignations center on objections to high publishing fees, but an increasing number are also driven by pressure to vastly expand publication volume and a dismissive attitude toward scholars’ visions for their journals. The common thread through each is the prioritization of commercialization over the best interests of the communities each journal seeks to serve.
On October 12th at 12pm ET / 9am PT, the next ACRL/SPARC Forum will feature a 90-minute discussion among representatives from editorial boards that have recently resigned in protest over publisher policies. Speakers will include:
- Anna Stilz, Philosophy and Public Affairs
- Johan Rooryck, Glossa
- Kristen Kennedy, Imaging Neuroscience
- Lindsay McLaren, Journal of Critical Public Health
- Moderator: Nick Shockey, SPARC
Heading into International Open Access Week later in October, the 2023 Forum will provide important context for this year’s theme of “Community over Commercialization” and examples of researchers using their power to better align a community’s journals with that community’s interests.
