STAR gives researchers and authors in over 100 countries free access to journal articles
Global research publisher Taylor & Francis is marking 15 years of STAR (Special Terms for Authors and Researchers). This important initiative helps individual researchers who are not currently affiliated with an institution or research organization by providing access to the latest research.
While an increasing proportion of new research is now published open access, STAR ensures subscription articles are also available to scholars in resource-constrained regions. Unique to Taylor & Francis, the STAR voucher scheme supports researchers in over 100 countries through free access to journals and engagement around their research and authoring journeys.
The initiative has benefitted a broad range of researchers lacking access to the resources of a university or research institution, including independent researchers, retired academics, and professionals working for NGOs.
STAR enables authors in these regions who are writing papers to update references and enrich their findings, which may result in higher levels of article acceptance and greater contribution to the global knowledge community.
Taylor & Francis is currently inviting researchers whose work has benefited from STAR access over the last 15 years to share their experience through a new survey.
Elizabeth Olayiwola, a researcher in Nigeria, said: “As a scholar from an under-resourced region, I dreamed of contributing my voice to global scholarship. STAR became a crucial resource in making that dream a reality, providing me with access to top-tier articles. Today, as a published author in one of the leading journals, Journal of African Cultural Studies, I reflect on my journey with gratitude. STAR played a transformative role in my career, helping me evolve from a voiceless scholar to a confident and visible contributor to academic discourse.”
Catherine Hodgson, Sustainability Manager at Taylor & Francis, explained: “STAR is a key element of our commitment to fostering an inclusive research environment. The scheme has helped more than six thousand researchers since its launch and we look forward to supporting many more around the world in the years to come.”
STAR is one of a number of development initiatives supported by Taylor & Francis. Partnerships with Research4Life and the NLM’s Emergency Access Initiative help scholars in the Global South to access essential research. Authors are also supported during their publishing journey through the Rising Scholars (formerly AuthorAID) mentoring network, open access publishing charge discounts and waivers, and a wide range of Taylor & Francis training workshops and author services.
