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Scholarly Communications at Swarthmore

Everything you need to know related to scholarly communications at Swarthmore

Where Can I Publish?

The numbers of journals focused specifically on undergraduate research continue to rise, especially journals that are entirely open access. Open access publications provide more accessible opportunities for publishing than traditional publishing, showcasing students as the creators as well as the consumers of scholarly research.

June 2016 saw the launch of Swarthmore College's first open access undergraduate research journal, #CritEdPol: A Journal of Critical Education Policy Studies at Swarthmore College.

Wrote something but don't know where to publish it? Trying to decide the most appropriate publication outlet? Searching for a journal that will give your article the widest audience? Check out the Open Publishing Guide from Right to Research:

Black, red, and white banner that reads: "Optimize your publishing; maximize your impact"

Why should I care about Open Access?

THE PROBLEM: Research journals are the source for cutting-edge knowledge in every field from history to medicine. Yet, students, researchers, professors, doctors, entrepreneurs, and others are denied access to important information every day because they or their institution can’t afford it. Journals have become increasingly expensive, to the point where no one has access to them all. Journals often cost $5,000, $10,000, or even $20,000 per subscription, per year—and prices continue to outpace inflation year in and year out. More than 40% of researchers surveyed in one of the wealthiest countries, the UK, couldn't access content they needed on a daily or weekly basis. THE RESULT: Science is slowed, scholarship is hindered, and students' educations are incomplete. When we can’t see the whole picture, it’s hard to find, learn about, and build upon the cutting-edge. It doesn't have to be this way. THE SOLUTION: Dozens of student organizations, representing nearly 7 million students from across the world and in every discipline, are leading the charge for a better system: Open Access.

References

"Right to Research." Right to Research, www.righttoresearch.org/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2016.