Can Plan S Truly Democratize Knowledge? The Role of AI, Web 3.0, and AfrikaJournals in Transforming Academic Publishing

Breaking Barriers: Why Africa Needs Its Own Open-Access Publishing Platform

Introduction

Imagine a world where every piece of scientific knowledge is freely accessible to anyone, anywhere—a world without barriers that hinder the sharing and advancement of research. While initiatives like Plan S have aimed to make this vision a reality, their impact has been limited, particularly for researchers in the Global South. The promise of open access remains unfulfilled for many, highlighting the urgent need for African-led solutions like the Afrika Journals Platform spearheaded by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).

The Promise and Limitations of Plan S

Plan S, launched in 2018 by a consortium of European research funders known as cOAlition S, sought to revolutionize academic publishing by requiring that all research funded by its members be made immediately open access. The initiative aimed to dismantle the paywalls erected by traditional subscription-based journals, envisioning a more equitable landscape where knowledge is shared freely.

However, years later, the reality falls short of the aspiration. While Plan S has accelerated conversations around open access, its implementation has been fraught with challenges. A report by Scidecode Science Consulting reveals that although about 50% of newly published scientific literature is available in some form of open access, this growth has predominantly occurred in hybrid journals. These journals, which publish both open-access and paywalled articles, have not eliminated financial barriers but have instead complicated the system further.

The Global South Left Behind

For researchers in Africa and other parts of the Global South, the current open-access models often create new obstacles rather than removing old ones. The prevalent system requires authors or their institutions to pay Article Processing Charges (APCs) to publish their work openly. This model disproportionately affects researchers in regions with limited funding, effectively replacing one barrier with another.

The transformative agreements promoted under Plan S have mainly benefited large commercial publishers in the Global North. These agreements allow institutions to pay lump sums to cover both subscription access and APCs, but they are typically negotiated by well-funded institutions in developed countries. African institutions, with their constrained budgets, are largely excluded from these deals, widening the knowledge gap between the North and the South.

Why African Initiatives Are Essential

The limitations of global initiatives like Plan S highlight the necessity for African-led solutions that address the unique challenges faced by researchers on the continent. The APHRC's Afrika Journals Platform is a pioneering effort to create an inclusive, equitable, and accessible publishing ecosystem for African scholars.

By focusing on the "diamond" open-access model—where neither readers nor authors pay fees—the Afrika Journals Platform aims to eliminate financial barriers altogether. This model is particularly suited to the African context, where both the ability to pay for publishing and access to published research are limited.

Leveraging Technology for Inclusivity

Emerging technologies offer promising avenues to revolutionize academic publishing in Africa. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can streamline the peer-review process, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. They can also facilitate language translation, making research accessible in multiple languages and increasing its global reach. Afrika Journals platform promises to utilize these emerging technologies and capabilities to make easier for African journals to operate.

Web 3.0 technologies, such as blockchain, present opportunities to develop decentralized publishing platforms. These platforms can reduce reliance on traditional publishers, lower costs, and empower researchers to share their work freely. We are exploring how to incorporates these technologies into the Afrika Journals Platform to create a transparent, efficient, and democratic publishing environment. We however, need ideas on how to execute this well as it is a new frontier that is coming on line. It will be great to collaborate with those knowledgeable in this areas.

A Call to Action

The dream of a truly open and equitable academic publishing system is within reach, but it requires collective effort and innovative thinking. Here's how various stakeholders can contribute:

• Researchers: Advocate for and submit your work to diamond open-access journals like those that will be hosted on the Afrika Journals Platform when it is launched. Your participation is crucial for building a robust and diverse body of accessible knowledge.
• Funding Bodies: Support equitable funding models that enable free publishing and access. Invest in initiatives that prioritize inclusivity and address the specific needs of researchers in the Global South.
• Publishers: Embrace models that eliminate financial barriers for authors and readers. Collaborate with African institutions to develop publishing pathways that are sustainable and equitable.
• Technologists and Innovators: Contribute to the development of platforms and tools that leverage AI, ML, and Web 3.0 technologies to transform academic publishing. We need your ideas and technical expertise.

Conclusion

The limitations of initiatives like Plan S underscore the importance of localized solutions that consider the unique challenges faced by researchers in Africa. The APHRC-led Afrika Journals Platform represents a significant step toward creating an inclusive, barrier-free academic publishing landscape.

By rallying behind such initiatives and leveraging emerging technologies, we can make the vision of universal open access a reality. It's time to move beyond well-intentioned but insufficient global policies and invest in solutions that empower all researchers, regardless of geography or economic status.

Join the Movement

We invite you to be part of this transformative journey. Share your ideas, participate in the Afrika Journals Platform, and contribute to building an open-access system that truly serves everyone. Together, we can break down the barriers that hinder the free flow of knowledge and foster a more equitable world of research.