What's Happening?
Wiley is actively working to address the issue of research visibility, focusing on whose findings get heard and recognized in the global scientific community. The company highlights that important research from certain regions often goes unnoticed for
years due to existing infrastructure that doesn't adequately recognize it. To combat this, Wiley is implementing initiatives beyond just making research free to read. These include the Author Engagement Programme (AEP) in South Africa, which provides webinars, workshops, and training, leading to a significant increase in open access (OA) articles and citations. Similarly, the Open Science Ambassador Programme (OSAP) in China focuses on local community-building and advocacy for open science. Wiley is also broadening the definition of 'research excellence' to include diversity, rigor, and discoverability, as demonstrated by its transformational agreement with the CAPES consortium in Brazil and an OA Pricing Power Parity pilot in Latin America.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is crucial for fostering a more equitable and inclusive global research landscape. By actively working to amplify voices from underrepresented regions, Wiley is addressing a systemic issue that can hinder scientific progress and perpetuate inequalities. When valuable research is overlooked, the global community misses out on potential breakthroughs and diverse perspectives. The programs in South Africa and China demonstrate that sustained, localized efforts are effective in increasing the visibility and impact of regional research. Broadening the definition of 'excellence' beyond traditional citation counts ensures that rigorous and diverse research, regardless of its origin, receives the recognition it deserves, ultimately enriching the collective body of human knowledge and accelerating scientific discovery worldwide.
What's Next?
Wiley plans to continue and expand its efforts in building and supporting local research communities globally. The success of programs like AEP and OSAP suggests a model for future initiatives in other regions facing similar visibility challenges. The company will likely further refine its strategies for promoting open access and ensuring equitable recognition of research, potentially through new partnerships with local funders, institutions, and societies. Continued monitoring of citation impacts and OA publication rates will be essential to assess the long-term effectiveness of these programs. The broader adoption of UNESCO's definition of 'excellence' could also influence how research is evaluated and disseminated across the academic publishing industry, leading to more inclusive practices.
Beyond the Headlines
The problem of research visibility extends beyond mere access; it touches upon fundamental issues of equity, power dynamics, and the very definition of scientific merit. By focusing on 'whose findings get heard,' Wiley is challenging the established hierarchies in academic publishing, which have historically favored research from certain geographical and institutional networks. This effort has ethical implications, as it seeks to rectify historical imbalances and ensure that intellectual contributions from all parts of the world are valued. Culturally, it promotes a more diverse and global scientific dialogue, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and understanding. In the long term, such initiatives could lead to a more decentralized and democratized scientific ecosystem, where innovation can emerge from anywhere, unconstrained by traditional gatekeepers or geographical biases.
