Publishing during a pandemic: Resilience and change

Area of Science:

• Scholarly Publishing
• Research Ethics
• Societal Impact of Science

Background:

• The scholarly publishing landscape requires critical re-evaluation.
• Current structures may perpetuate inequities and hinder trust.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for adaptation and resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for fundamental changes within the scholarly publishing industry.
• To identify key areas for improvement: community, equity, and transparency.
• To emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of addressing global health crises.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of the scholarly publishing ecosystem.
• Identification of critical areas for reform based on current challenges.
• Literature review on the role of community, bias, and openness in research.

Main Results:

• Scholarly publishing must prioritize community engagement and support.
• Addressing racism, bias, and structural inequities is essential for ethical dissemination.
• Increased openness, transparency, and trust are vital for scientific integrity.

Conclusions:

• The scholarly publishing industry must undergo a transformative reset.
• Integrating humanities and social sciences with STEM is crucial for holistic pandemic response.
• Embracing change is imperative for a more equitable and trustworthy research future.