As work continues on a new National Open Access Strategy and the conversation around publication culture is increasingly taking place within universities, this is a great moment to critically reflect on the choices you make as a researcher. This week, we’ll highlight one route to Open Access publishing each day and what it means for you as a researcher.
Open Access: The Diamond Route
Diamond Open Access is a publishing model in which scholarly articles are made freely available to everyone immediately upon publication—without any fees for readers or authors. Unlike commercial Open Access models (such as the ‘gold’ route), diamond journals and publishers are funded by universities, research funders, or (scholarly) associations. VU supports this form of publishing because it contributes to a sustainable, fair, and diverse scholarly landscape where knowledge can be shared openly.
How does VU support you?
Through the Open Access Innovation Fund, VU supports the growth of sustainable and affordable publishing platforms. These initiatives are community-driven and help strengthen academic control over how and where scientific knowledge is disseminated.
What are the benefits of publishing via Diamond Open Access?
- There are no costs for authors or readers. This promotes equality in science.
- Your work is immediately open and shareable. This increases the visibility and (societal) impact of your research.
- It’s a more sustainable and fair alternative: Diamond publishers and journals are non-profit and focused on academic values rather than profit.
- It supports bibliodiversity: Publishing in (smaller) scholarly-led journals and platforms helps prevent monopolies by large commercial publishers. This also reduces our dependence on commercial publishing models.
What are the drawbacks of publishing via Diamond Open Access?
- Not every discipline has many well-established diamond journals or publishers.
- Perception of prestige: Some researchers feel that diamond journals carry less prestige than established commercial journals, although this perception is gradually changing.
- Diamond journals and publishers are often smaller and less well-known, which may result in lower visibility for your work.
- The funding of these journals and publishers often relies on structural support from universities or research funders, which can make their continuity vulnerable.
VU encourages researchers to make informed choices about their publishing route—ones that align with their values, goals, and circumstances. Diamond Open Access is a valuable alternative for those seeking to publish sustainably, without high costs, and who want to contribute to an open, inclusive, and future-proof scholarly system.
