Collaboration between libraries and publishers accelerating access to the work of African scholars
The work of researchers in Africa is experiencing increased international reach, supported by new open access (OA) partnerships between research libraries and publishers. Recent forums in South Africa have highlighted the importance of this cooperation for the continued growth and impact of Africa’s rich research output.
A fundamental shift in Africa’s research visibility is underway, through an acceleration in OA publications. For example, in each of the last two years, the number of African articles published OA in Taylor & Francis journals has grown by 20%. As their research becomes more available, African scholars are now better positioned to influence global development, drive policy changes, and foster societal progress through their work.
Transformative Strategies for Expanding Research Visibility
This theme was explored by leading librarians and researchers at recent ‘Academic Allies’ events, hosted in Johannesburg and Cape Town by Taylor & Francis. Delegates emphasized the particularly transformative effect of ‘Read and Publish’ OA agreements, which are now offering Southern African researchers increased visibility and influence on the global stage. ‘Read and Publish’ agreements enable institutions to cover the costs of OA publishing, allowing many more researchers to choose open access.
In March, the South African National Library and Information Consortium (SANLiC) and Taylor & Francis announced a new three-year agreement, which supports researchers in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia to publish OA articles in over 2,100 journals. Delegates at the recent events were given an overview of the early successes of this partnership and speakers explained its importance.
Prof. Maria Frahm-Arp, Executive Director, Library and Information Science, University of Johannesburg stated, “There is widespread skepticism around pay-to-publish journals, but initiatives such as ‘Read and Publish’ agreements transfer that cost from the researcher to the institution, making open access more accessible across all disciplines.” Prof. Frahm-Arp emphasized “the importance of publishers like Taylor & Francis continuing to develop transformative agreements that ease the financial strain on researchers and expand access to knowledge.”
Dr Gilford Tapera Hapanyengwi, Director ICT, Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education said, “Content creation is imperative for the development of our education systems, and Taylor & Francis’s partnership is central to this transformation.” Dr Hapanyengwi also stressed “the critical role Taylor & Francis plays in rolling out initiatives like Heritage-Based Education 5.0 in Southern Africa.”
Practical strategies were also shared during the events, empowering attendees with actionable insights that will further boost the accessibility and influence of African academic contributions.
A Strong Commitment to Southern Africa’s Academic Future
The ‘Academic Allies’ forum underscored Taylor & Francis’ unwavering dedication to advancing research excellence in Southern Africa. The event was a testament to their commitment to nurturing long-term partnerships with SANLiC and other influential stakeholders. This collaboration aligns with SANLiC’s vision of providing cost-effective access to high-quality electronic resources in support of teaching, research, and learning in public higher education institutions.
As part of this effort, the forum highlighted the importance of continuous capacity-building initiatives, the integration of research-oriented learning, and the provision of ongoing support to Southern African universities. These steps will equip the academic community to lead the region’s future developments in the global academic sphere, ensuring African scholars are not only contributors but also key players in driving global innovation.
Nitasha Devasar, Managing Director- India, VP & Commercial Lead- India, South Asia & Africa remarked “Our partnership with SANLiC exemplifies our commitment to advancing diversity and equity in scholarly communication. We believe that by working together we will be able to significantly enhance the global reach and discoverability of Southern African research, maximizing its impact in Africa and more widely.”
Further information
The impact of open access research from Africa: How African researchers are influencing policy
