1 of 7

PLOS’ Redefining publishing – Research & Design – project

Iain Hrynaszkiewicz, Director, Open Research Solutions

PLOS

2 of 7

Obstacles to open science

Journal articles and prestige are more rewarded than other contributions (e.g. data, code, methods, teaching) in academic recognition and reward systems

Existing publishing business models often exclude researchers from less resourced institutions or early career scientists and reinforce the article as the unit of value (and cost), driving perverse incentives.

3 of 7

We want to demonstrate change is possible

https://plos.org/redefining-publishing/

Beyond the article: New publishing capabilities for non-article outputs

Beyond the APC: Developing a new business model that avoids fees per published unit

Global stakeholder engagement: libraries, funders, institutions, researchers

4 of 7

Strong focus on community consultation

User-centered design

> 600 practicing researchers globally

Stakeholder engagement

Nearly 100 participants in convenings or interviews representing funders, libraries, consortia, institutional leadership, researchers, infrastructure, regional networks

5 of 7

Designing the knowledge stack

A publishing model that connects articles, data, code and other research outputs into a more complete research record. It buillds on existing journals, repositories and open infrastructure rather than replacing them.

A ‘complete record’ supports assessment AND other decision-making for academic leaders.

6 of 7

Some knowledge stack design key insights

The knowledge stack is “necessary but not sufficient” to support recognition of open science practices

Publishers have a role in quality control of non-article outputs – but what this is needs refinement

Focus on “checkability” as a practical starting point to add value to data and code connected to articles

Support digital sovereignty through regional collaboration

Prioritise strengthening attribution for data and code for initial implementation