NATIONAL/REGIONAL PUBLICATION OF ORIGINAL RESEARCH IN A GLOBALISING WORLD

Wieland Gevers, Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

ASSAf nearing completion of DST – sponsored study:

• strategic approach to publishing of research journals in S. Africa

• promoting/enhancing their national and international standing

• improving their productivity/efficiency in local/regional science system

• ensuring wide audience for research published locally (e.g. electronic): both research communities and society

Point of departure:

Local/regional publishing of research is desirable/valuable:

• wide local participation in editing/peer reviewing

• networking scholars and postgrad. students

• fostering disciplinary coherence

• facilitating South African contributions to local/regional/global knowledge

• reflecting local/regional focus, depth and strength in particular fields

• show-casing the country’s/region’s scientific achievements in a concentrated way

• drawing in wide local/regional audiences in government, higher education science councils, schools, the media and the general public

BUT……QUALITY IS CRUCIAL

• 6-7000 actively publishing researchers in S. Africa• 6-7000 research articles produced p.a.

ISI-listed Un-listed Articles Journals Articles Journals

S. African 350 17 2000 - 3000 300+Non S. Africa 3200 8800 250 - 500 ?

• Most S.African research journals:– infrequent (1-3 issues p.a.)– thin (6-10 articles/issue)– poorly cited in ISI system– financially unstable

•ASSAf’s “Editors’ Survey” done: – “will to live” (effort needed)– use peer review– reject low% of submissions– professionally edited most viable

ASSAf’s Study Report (end -2005)

1. Introduction, background, context

2. S.Africa’s ISI – listed journals reviewed

3. All South African “output” reviewed

4. Editors’ Survey analysed

5. Impact of e-publishing and a few future scenarios

6. Conclusions and recommendations

Some emerging ideas for strengthening the S.African Science system through locally published journals:

• Increased numbers of listed journals

• Improved peer review system (recognition as “output”)

• Increased frequency/ size of issues (+ “on time” publication;), disciplinary consolidation

• Financial viability through revenue mix : subscriptions, page charges (DoE/subsidy), adverts, sponsorship, subsidy

• World-wide electronic dissemination (print and, especially, on-line)

• Continental link-up and planning

“QUEST-Science for South Africa”

• new ASSAf Science magazine

• show-casing South African research in all journals, by authors themselves writing for the general public, senior school learners, and teachers, researchers, public at large

• 6 issues p.a.

• Cooperation contracts planned with government departments and agencies; distribution to schools; commercial sale and subscriptions

• A South African “New Scientist” with a very local flavour… (with “South African Journal of Scientist” as a local “Nature”….)

Overall conclusion:

Quality is the key:

if high – arguments for local journals hold

if low – arguments for local journals disappear