New coalition of physics publishers puts ‘purpose before profit’

A trio of leading not-for-profit physics publishers forged a coalition recently, promising to “invest 100% of our funds back into science” and defining a set of industry standards that underpin quality, ethical scholarly publishing. “Science is our only shareholder,” said one.

The Purpose-Led Publishing (PLP) coalition, launched on 5 February with a promise to always put purpose above profit, is a response to some of the substantial challenges that face academic publishing. Among these are growing numbers of fake papers, plagiarism, predatory publishers, profiteering and AI.

At the same time there is growing support for and actions advancing open science and open access publication, and this physics initiative is part of that movement.

AIP Publishing, the American Physical Society and IOP Publishing operate globally as part of learned societies that represent tens of thousands of physicists around the world, and between them produce scores of open access and hybrid academic journals.

They share “a number of specific challenges” in supporting the science community, the organisations told University World News. “Purpose-Led Publishing is about demonstrating to the physical science community what we stand for, what differentiates us and how we can support their evolving needs as we move into an open future.”

In turn, the PLP publishing houses are members of the Society Publishers’ Coalition (SocPC), a group of not-for-profit learned societies, community publishers and charities representing a diverse range of academic disciplines.

Its members are around 150 learned societies across many fields, ranging from religion and astronomy to economics and medicine, mostly across the United States and the United Kingdom. All publish with charitable objectives and re-invest surpluses from publishing into their disciplinary communities.

“SocPC members share the common ambition to see an orderly and sustainable transition to open scholarship and to improve the efficiency of the scholarly communication ecosystem for the benefit of researchers and society at large in a fair and sustainable way,” says its website.

The PLP coalition

The trio of publishers in the new PLP coalition are all linked to physics institutes or societies. AIP Publishing is a subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics, while IOP Publishing is a subsidiary of the Institute of Physics.

AIP Publishing’s portfolio includes 39 peer-reviewed journals and the magazine Physics Today. IOP Publishing produces more than 100 journals and a global science news programme which includes Physics World. Both publish open access and hybrid journals as well as books and conference proceedings.

The American Physical Society advances and diffuses physics knowledge through research journals, scientific meetings and a range of education and other activities. It has more than 50,000 members – including physicists in academia, laboratories and industry in the US and around the world – and its portfolio includes 17 peer-reviewed journals as well as Physics Magazine.

The publishers told University World News that the coalition would see them “working more closely together to ensure that our policies, processes and standards benefit the physical scientific community as we transition to an open future.

“The industry standards that we have outlined through our promise to always put purpose above profit will be central as we explore the best ways to ensure that evolving needs are met in ways that underpin high-quality, ethical scholarly communications.”

Purpose-Led Publishing perspectives

AIP Publishing, the American Physical Society and IOP Publishing said in a release on 5 February that they are united by their not-for-profit status, “with all the funds made from publishing going back into the research ecosystem”. They also support the physical science community globally through, among others, training and mentorship, awards and grants.

“As members of Purpose-Led Publishing, the publishers have defined a set of industry standards that underpin high-quality, ethical scholarly communications. These form the bedrock of PLP’s promise to the scientific community.”

The publishers pledge to always: invest 100% of funds back into science; publish only content that genuinely adds to scientific knowledge; ensure that their terms are reasonable; put research integrity ahead of profit; and admit errors and set them right.

Alix Vance, chief executive of AIP Publishing, pointed out that the coalition partners and PLP itself “exist purely to give back to science”. Rachel Burley, chief publications officer of the American Physical Society, said: “Publishing with a Purpose-Led Publishing member not only advances knowledge through high quality, peer-reviewed journals, it also means researchers are investing in the community they are a part of.”

All the work of IOP Publishing is for public and scientific good, said Chief Executive Antonia Seymour: “Purpose-Led Publishing is about our dedication to science, and to the scientific community. We’re proudly declaring that science is our only shareholder.”

Email Karen MacGregor: macgregor.karen@gmail.com.