SciDev.Net

This survey, conducted by the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications, gives an overview of the activities and views of publishers regarding access to their information within the developing world either free or at reduced cost.

The results of a short questionnaire, which was distributed widely on ListServs and email lists, highlight a number of small publisher-specific programmes already in place, mostly associated with learned societies and society membership. Countries eligible to join the initiatives are listed.

The survey also underlines the complexity of the publishing environment, where involvement in any initiatives to promote readership are dependent on other partnerships – with other publishers, with other societies, and with membership requirements.

This comprehensive study of the current status of the global science publishing industry was commissioned by the UK-based Wellcome Trust and completed in September 2003.

It reviews how the current market structure functions - in terms of supply and demand - who the key players are, and how its operation affects the scientific community and progress of scientific research. It then considers how the electronic revolution has impacted the current system, and evaluates the changes it makes possible.

The report ends with a study of the future possibilities for scientific publishing, depending on how the key players react (and interact) to the new possibilities offered by information technologies. As a conclusion, the Wellcome Trust gives its endorsement to open access in science publishing.

ICSU has published four brochures on: universal access to scientific knowledge; decision making and governance; policy issues for scientific information; and improving education and training.

The brochures were published following a meeting on 'Science in the Information Society' held in Paris in March 2003 by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

This workshop brought together scientific experts, managers and representatives from several inter-governmental agencies to try and identify the major issues for science in relation to the World Summit on the Information Society.

[The brochures are available in English, French and Spanish.]