Kyle SilerMay 1, 2023
WeedenKim

I posted on the other site that to protect academic freedom and save money, universities need to invest in scholar-led publication initiatives that bypass the for-profit publishers.

Part of this is recognizing that #OA is entirely compatible with for-profit model that sucks resources out of unis while reducing average quality of work.

See this link for an example from philosophy, where Wiley is pushing editors to increase number of papers by factor of 10 to start.

https://dailynous.com/2023/04/27/wiley-removes-goodin-as-editor-of-the-journal-of-political-philosophy/

Wiley Removes Goodin as Editor of the Journal of Political Philosophy (Updated) - Daily Nous

Robert Goodin, the founding and longtime editor of the Journal of Political Philosophy, has been removed from his position at the journal by its publisher, Wiley. Goodin wrote to the associate editors and editorial board informing them of his firing, and in response many have submitted their resignations, including associate editors Sally Haslanger, Philip Pettit, Anne

Daily Nous - news for & about the philosophy profession
Apr 30, 2023 at 5:26pmWeb
Show threadWeedenKimApr 30, 2023

This will come as no surprise to the sociologists who follow my account, but in case this gets broader reach:

It's entirely possible for a group of volunteer faculty to start and run an independent, nonprofit, #OA journal with low APCs and a high impact factor, to the extent one cares about IFs. Sociological Science is an example.

(Disclaimer: I was one of the founding co-editors of the journal, served as a deputy editor for 7-8 years, and I am on the overseeing board.)

Show threadTim HicksApr 30, 2023
@WeedenKim What does it take to start a journal like this? Intellectual prominence of editorial team? Networks for kickstarting submissions and reviews? Time/resources? Seems like there might be non-trivial thresholds to get over on a few dimensions to make it work.
Show threadWeedenKimApr 30, 2023

@HicksTM

It did take time, some on tasks unfamiliar to most faculty: setting up LLC & 501c, finding alternative to Manuscript Central, setting up web site, shopping for copy editors, etc. Having uni staff support these tasks for several journals would be more efficient.

We were 5 fairly prominent faculty. We used our networks (via Twitter) to spread word.

We also offered a new & attractive editorial model: no R&Rs, decisions in ≈30 days. Harder to break in w/ same-old, same-old.

Budget: $0.

Show threadTim HicksApr 30, 2023
@WeedenKim Very interesting. Thanks!
Show threadHerman van de WerfhorstMay 1, 2023
@WeedenKim @ingridrobeyns