Open access and peer review - why do I have to pay twice? | British Dental Journal
peter.suber's bookmarks 2025-02-27
Summary:
"Traditionally, peer reviewers reviewed on a ‘pro bono' basis. I reviewed without pay on the basis that an anonymous colleague would do the same for me and my work would be published and the publishers would recoup their costs from subscribers to their journals. There was no financial cost to me and the system felt fair.
Now, in an open access era, I am still expected to carry out peer review with no recompense. However, to have my publication open access, as is required by the Research Excellence Framework, I must pay anywhere between £1,500 and £3,000. I need to find this money through grant funding or rely on my university to have paid a substantial sum to the publishing house to have an open access agreement, which sees me able to publish open access without additional charge.
I am therefore paying twice. The two or three hours that it takes me to review an article and write a report I must find out of my employers' or my own private time. And then my employers or I need to pay an open access fee...."