While it is difficult for individuals to change large, complex, systems, there are choices that, if more scholars were to make them, would move the prestige economies of scholarly publishing in a better direction. Here are some of the steps scholars at JMU and elsewhere are already taking to promote change:
- Learn more about open access from the Libraries’ Scholarly Communication: Open Access guide.
- Publish your scholarship in a dedicated open access journal or an open book.
- Choose open access options from publishers. JMU and the VIVA consortium helps with OA publishing and Article Publication Charges (APCs).
- Share a version of your work in JMU Scholarly Commons.
- Share your preprints in a disciplinary repository.
As you are able, leverage your position, privilege, or power to advocate for fundamental change in academic publishing and university policies, keeping in mind that some of your colleagues may not be as well-positioned to do so.
- If you already publish open, spread the word to your colleagues and students. The annual Open Access Week in October may be a great time to intentionally share the word.
- Advocate that high-quality, peer-reviewed open access scholarship be valued in faculty research assessment.
- Journal editors: “Declare Independence” or start a new open journal with JMU Scholarly Commons.
- Scholarly society members: Transition your society journals to open.
- Consider joining a boycott of vendors with unsustainable business models: