INTERVIEW: “Scientists hold a special privilege” - Research Information

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The Nature Awards John Maddox Prize is awarded each year for ‘standing up for science’. The prize recognises researchers who stand up and speak out for science and evidence-based policy, advancing public discussion around difficult topics, despite challenges or hostility, and successfully making a change in public discourse or policy.

We caught up with Early Career Award winner Kelly Cobey,  Director of the Metaresearch and Open Science Program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute....

My ideal vision of scholarly publishing has a few features. First, the publishing process would be characterized by transparency. Transparency in journal processes, peer review, and decision-making. Secondly, the publishing landscape will evolve to reflect the needs of the community. This would include an open access by default approach.

I’m optimistic that within 10 years the current system will have shifted: journals like Elife that are disruptors in the publication model ecosystem will have greater evidence of the value of diverse publication models. Ultimately this will reduce duplication of effort, expedite knowledge exchange, and serve a broader and more diverse community. We need disruption and thoughtful consideration about what the role of scholarly journals should be in the modern and global research ecosystem...."