At Springer Nature, our commitment to excellence in science remains central to all we do. The quality of the science conducted is the most important factor in determining which content we publish.   

Scientific evidence (Yang et al., 2022; Hofstra et al., 2020) demonstrates that research drawing on a broad spectrum of perspectives and experiences is strongly associated with more novel insights, more innovative results and greater impact.  A citation diversity statement encourages authors to do just that – acting as a reminder to look anew at their underlying research and to expand their references rather than relying only on sources with which they are most familiar. We know that when citation practices concentrate on the same authors, institutions and regions, the result is in many instances, a skewed perspective that does not accurately reflect the breadth and state of a field of research.

For this reason, we allow authors to include along with their manuscript a citation diversity statement. This is purely optional and does not affect the evaluation of their research.

A citation diversity statement is a nudge that can help authors capture recent innovations, discoveries and breakthroughs, differing viewpoints and methods, and contributions from varying disciplines and regions. This encourages, though it does not require, authors to broaden the lens through which their research is undertaken. Literature that is more comprehensive and balanced can be of greater usefulness to readers and to science.

Citation diversity statements are not about quotas or identity. Rather, they are focused on helping to ensure a more rigorous scientific method and a more complete scientific record – a fuller picture. When new papers engage with the breadth of scientific understanding, including orthogonal views or contrary findings, everyone benefits. 

Science advances in part due to a researcher’s openness to new information and their engagement with as much relevant research as is available. When research encompasses a fuller scope of available literature, irrespective of what is familiar, scientists build a stronger foundation for future discoveries.

References:

• Hofstra, B., Kulkarni, V. V., Munoz-Najar Galvez, S., He, B., Jurafsky, D., & McFarland, D. A. (2020). The diversity–innovation paradox in science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(17), 9284–9291. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.191537811
• Yang, Y., Tian, T. Y., Woodruff, T. K., Jones, B. F., & Uzzi, B. (2022). Gender-diverse teams produce more novel and higher-impact scientific ideas. PNAS Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 119(36), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2200841119

Over 50 years ago, Apollo 13’s safe return relied on simulators, a precursor to what we now call digital twins. Today, these virtual replicas are transforming R&D by bridging simulation and real-world experimentation. In this post, we explore how digital twins accelerate innovation, improve reproducibility and support decision-making. We’ll hear from Victor Richet, Nuclear Engineer at Assystem, on how this technology is shaping processes in one of the most complex and regulated industries.

The Apollo 13 mission faced a life-threatening crisis when its main engine was damaged. Engineers relied on simulators to model scenarios and guide the astronauts safely back to Earth, a pioneering glimpse into what we now call digital twins. Fast forward to today, and this concept has evolved into a powerful tool reshaping research and development across industries. But what makes digital twins powerful?

Digital twins are virtual representations of physical systems, processes or objects, continuously updated with real-time data. They act as a dynamic bridge between simulation and experimentation, enabling researchers and engineers to predict outcomes, optimise designs, and make informed decisions before committing to costly physical trials. By integrating AI and automation, digital twins create standardised environments that improve reproducibility, accelerate innovation and reduce time-to-market.

Their impact is particularly significant in sectors where precision, safety and compliance are non-negotiable, such as nuclear engineering. Here, the stakes are high, and experimentation is expensive and heavily regulated. Digital twins can help minimize risk, streamline workflows and support compliance with stringent safety standards while improving efficiency.

To understand how this technology is being applied in one of the most challenging engineering environments, we spoke with Victor Richet, Nuclear Engineer and Head of Digital at Assystem. In the conversation that follows, Victor shares how digital twins are transforming R&D in the nuclear industry, the benefits and limitations of this approach, and what the future holds for this technology.

How does Assystem define a digital twin in the context of its work, and what prompted you to adopt this technology?

Digital twins are a model which is fed with data in order to provide added value to processes. Our processes in the nuclear industry aren’t as up-to-date as those in, say, the automotive sector, which has fewer regulatory barriers and faster iteration. Our industry is heavily regulated for reasons of safety, and this makes us less agile in the adoption of new methods. Assystem were one of the industry’s first movers in the digital twin space as we recognised the huge scope this technology has to offer. Our mission is to accelerate the energy transition throughout the world and digital twin technologies play a major part in this, they advance digital transformation by addressing challenges throughout the full life-cycle of complex systems.

Digital twins are often described as the bridge between simulation and experimentation. How do you see that playing out in practice at Assystem?

At Assystem, digital twins aren’t just virtual simulations. They are digital ecosystems that integrate simulation tools, real-world data, and life-cycle management into one collaborative environment. In the specific case of nuclear engineering, the cost of experimenting is huge compared with other industries. Digital twin technologies aren’t a replacement for experiments, but they do reduce trial and error, they’re a way of increasing the likelihood of getting things right the first time.

How do you validate your digital twin models to ensure confidence in their predictions?

We run extensive test case processes to ensure the data provided by digital twin models is relevant and accurate. A good illustration of this is a project we carried out in the South of France to redesign a decommissioned nuclear facility. It involved moving potentially contaminated flows and irradiated materials out of the facility to be treated elsewhere and establishing temporary barriers, all in a seamless process. There are specific regulatory constraints which the safety authority issues for rooms in a nuclear facility, depending on the amount of radioactivity, red, orange or green zones. To complete this project, a 2D digital twin of the facility was built so that we could quickly, efficiently and reliably know where a barrier should be established, and what the radioactive zones of the rooms we then created would be. We validated the digital twin early in its development by comparing its results with the engineers’ calculations.

How do AI and machine learning enhance the predictive power and adaptability of your digital twin models?

The use of AI in the nuclear industry is still limited due to its probabilistic nature, precision and explicability are strict requirements for the safety authorities. Nevertheless, putting safety-related applications aside, there are several ways to use AI within the framework of digital twins. It’s mainly used to generate synthetic datasets and produce expected outputs, these don’t of course constitute proofs, but they are key insights for the early stages of the twin’s development. In a nutshell, we can generate synthetic data for a test case, use AI to simulate a wide range of results, and identify any key flaws in the twin.

When we’re developing and refining our digital twin models, access to trusted research and scientific data is absolutely crucial. The nuclear industry is not the most advanced, so there’s a strong consensus that it would benefit heavily from research conducted in other industries.

What measurable impact have digital twins had on your R&D process?

Digital twins have had a significant impact on our R&D process. They’ve contributed to reduced time to market and improved reproducibility by making processes more consistent and traceable. They’re also enabling us to achieve traceability and improve the quality of our experiments, which are long and extremely expensive.

Can you share an example of how collaboration with academia or industry partners has helped refine your digital twin models?

At Assystem we collaborate a lot with academia. Our partnership with the prestigious French School of Engineering IMT Mines Alès is a good example of this. In 2019 we set up a five-year R&D programme together dedicated to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), to refine and establish common methodologies (a ‘grammar’) for nuclear modelling systems. This model-based approach facilitates the handling of complex and stringent requirements in critical infrastructure projects, ultimately forming the basis for the use of digital twins industry-wide.

What are the biggest challenges in integrating digital twins in the R&D process, and what have you learned from this?

Surprisingly, the biggest challenges we’ve seen are not related to technology. Regulation, complexity, high cost and long timelines means there aren’t as many projects per year in nuclear as there are in other industries. Change management and the ability to integrate existing engineering processes is therefore the biggest challenge.

Secondly, nuclear is still a heavily siloed industry by discipline. You need seamless access to quality data, but as soon as you bridge silos is where difficulties arise.

There are three things we learned about the successful adoption of digital twins in our processes. Sponsorship and endorsement are critical; you need strong support to navigate the high-level safety requirements and regulatory barriers we face. It’s also crucial to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, and what this would unlock in quantifiable terms.

Lastly, there’s no magic wand. With digital twins there’s no ‘plug-and-play’. Every project has different requirements, so you need to align your vision, resources (such as data and subject matter experts) and sponsorship, not to mention regulatory pathways and change management plans.

Where do you see digital twin technology heading in the next 3–5 years for R&D?

Digital twins will become more prevalent, regardless of industry. In nuclear the experiments are long, inefficient and expensive, so there will be a gradual increase in their relevance in the design process. For instance, the digital twin for the last generation of Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR) should facilitate the TRL evolution management and the move from First of a kind to Nth of a Kind. On another side, Digital twin will facilitate the simulation acceleration through the concept of PINN Physic Informed Neural Network. In a nutshell, there won’t be a digital twin revolution, this will happen gradually - all journeys start with a single step.

For those looking to adopt digital twin technologies, my advice would be to start small and ensure you have your sponsorship in place, being overly ambitious can increase the risk of failure and lead to significant cost. There are also a wide range of actors involved in the digital twin journey. The most successful projects I’ve seen have resulted from the efficient collaboration of stakeholders all working in their own area of expertise, whether that’s engineers, facility operators, solution providers or tools integrators. Digital twins are like a puzzle, everything and everyone, has to be in the right place.

Digital twins bridging simulation and experimentation

As Victor emphasized, adopting digital twin technology is a progressive journey that thrives on clear objectives, strong sponsorship and collaboration across disciplines. In highly regulated industries such as nuclear engineering, these virtual models can deliver substantial value by helping enhance reproducibility, accelerate design cycles and support informed decision-making.

The benefits for R&D are significant: streamlined timelines, improved traceability, and greater confidence in experimental outcomes. Assystem’s experience shows that success comes from starting with focused goals, aligning resources effectively and building partnerships with academia and industry experts to realise the full potential of this technology.

For those ready to explore digital twins further and strengthen research workflows, access to trusted methods and protocols is essential. Springer Nature Experiments offers a comprehensive portfolio of reliable resources to support innovation and reproducibility. Text and data mining (TDM) can also help by revealing patterns and connections across large research datasets, enabling deeper insights, identifying relationships and supporting semantic analysis. You can also discover more about the rise of digital twins and their growing role in sectors from healthcare to advanced engineering.

Related content

• Reproducibility as a competitive advantage in life science R&D
• Improving research reproducibility with open method sharing
• How research access drives public health innovation
• Trends and practicalities of digital transformation in life sciences R&D 
• Top 5 benefits of digital labs in life sciences R&D

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Discover how Springer Nature’s 2025 Innovation Tournament celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and people-first ideas shaping the future of research.

Springer Nature’s Innovation Tournament is more than an annual initiative; it is a reflection of our culture. Now in its sixth year, it’s an employee-led initiative that invites staff across the globe to showcase their innovations that improve how we work, support researchers, and serve our communities. It offers a moment to step back and consider: What does innovation look like when it is driven by curiosity, collaboration, and the needs of our communities and colleagues?  

At this year’s finals, keynote speaker and guest judge, Jude Pullen¹, helped frame the tournament’s broader significance. His talk invited jury members and finalists to consider: Are we living through a new Renaissance? The keynote at finals is designed to spark reflection and connect our innovation efforts to a wider context. Drawing on historical parallels, he reminded us that true innovation stems not just from technology, but from human insight and curiosity - as well as our proximity to other industries which may seem tangential, but in time, unlock new potential. The Renaissance was an era defined by exploration, learning, and cross-disciplinary thinking. Our Innovation Tournament showcases how creativity and collaboration can lead to meaningful change. It’s a reminder that innovation is not just about new tools, but equally about new ways of seeing and solving.   

What began as a small initiative has grown into a global event within Springer Nature for sharing ideas, solving problems, and celebrating creativity. In 2025, we received over 100 entries representing a strong range of ideas: from responsible AI tools that enhance editorial workflows while supporting, not replacing, the expertise of our colleagues and researchers to grassroots initiatives that promote wellbeing, and process improvements that save time and resources. 

Amongst the winners this year were projects that exemplify our people-first approach. One introduced a live chat function via WeChat to support open access authors in China, meeting researchers where they are, on platforms they already use. Another improved accessibility by offering a cleaner, more intuitive reading view. These innovations are practical, people-first solutions developed from a deep understanding of researchers and community needs.   

What continues to stand out is the breadth of ideas; from the bold and transformative to the small but powerful in their impact. That’s why we recently introduced the Little Gem Award, to recognise those clever, often quiet innovations that make a real difference. These are the kinds of ideas that improve workflows, enhance user experience, or help us make better use our content. They might not grab headlines, but they are no less important.  

Innovation, at its core, is about engagement with people, ideas and challenges. It begins with listening to the needs of our communities, users, and colleagues, and responding with solutions that resonate. When we innovate with purpose, we strengthen our role as a trusted source of knowledge and deepen our connection with the communities we serve.   

The Innovation Tournament is more than a showcase, it is a signal that innovation is everyone’s business, and that every contribution counts. It brings Springer Nature’s promise to life: with us, you can develop your curiosity, stretch your horizons, and be yourself. The tournament creates space for experimentation, encourages new thinking, and supports colleagues to grow. And, of course, not every idea can win, and that is okay. Innovation is a process of exploration and learning. 

As the research landscape continues to evolve, so too must the ways in which knowledge is discovered, accessed, used and built upon. Keeping pace with change means thoughtfully exploring new technologies and innovation where they can add value, while staying close to the people we serve and the problems they are trying to solve.  

So, are we in a new Renaissance? The signs are promising and what is clear is that we’re in a moment of opportunity. And if the 2025 Innovation Tournament is any indication, Springer Nature is well-positioned to meet it with creativity, insight, and a shared commitment to advancing discovery and serving our communities.  

--> Check out the highlights from our finals of the Innovation Tournament 2025 here 

Footnotes

1. Jude Pullen is a Creative Technologist and Prototyping Expert. He is a chartered engineer, and a featured inventor on BBC2’s Big Life Fix, is passionate about inclusive design, and helping companies shape their futures through design thinking, and novel use of technologies. His work includes medical, consumer goods, toys, automotive, education. He has worked with NHS, Dyson, Sugru, RS Group, IKEA, NVIDIA, LEGO. For more information visit: https://www.judepullen.com/

All validated, peer-reviewed research contributes to science even if the journal it appears in “doesn’t rank highly” in citation metrics. This can be especially true when the research comes from, or applies to, situations in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This type of research might not be “buzzy” enough to generate outsized citation counts, but it really matters. That’s where journals — especially open access (OA) ones like BMC’s AIDS Research and Therapy — shine. Journals like these are platforms for the kinds of important, sometimes incremental, research that makes a difference but might not make a flash.

Why citation “rank” does not equal “importance”

A recent Springer Nature white paper, Demonstrating Journal Value Beyond Rankings, looked at the value that journals ranking in the third or fourth quartile (Q3/Q4 journals) by citations bring to the communities they serve. The white paper includes cases studies, and one of those case studies looked at the BMC journal, AIDS Research and Therapy.

To talk about this, and get some more context on that case study, I recently had the chance to catch up with AIDS Research and Therapy’s Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Barbara Castelnuovo, about how her journal does this. Born and trained in Italy, Dr. Castelnuovo now carries out research on AIDS and HIV, and treats patients in Uganda.

AIDS Research and Therapy, by “traditional citation measures,” ranks in the third or fourth quartile. Yet the research it publishes helps save lives on the ground in places like Uganda and other LMICs. For example, over the last two years, the journal has published important work on injectable antiretroviral therapy (ART) in LMICs. Says Dr. Castelnuovo, “[I]njectable ART from LMIC, particularly aimed to address patient preferences… is a very important topic as we advocate for access to injectable drugs.”

Serving research communities — regardless of size

Because a journal like AIDS Research and Therapy focuses on one specific topic, it, almost by definition, can’t earn the same scale of citation numbers that a broader-scope journal (like one publishing research broadly on all pathology-causing viruses) can. And because the work published here — and in journals of similar scope — gets used in the field by practitioners (who don’t in turn publish and cite), looking only at citation rankings can mask these journals’ true importance.

In the case study, Dr. Castelnuovo noted that, “A lot of data that comes out of Africa will be a single case study, with limited population sizes… But when there are 20 published [articles] showing differentiated service delivery is working well, then you can have countries or organisations adopting these practices.”

AIDS Research and Therapy serves a smaller, but critical, community which is itself more concentrated in LMICs. And as part of bigger OA imprint dedicated to serving these communities, a journal like this can offer more waivers so researchers from LMICs can publish OA. Dr. Castelnuovo told me:

I like to think our journal gives an opportunity for studies that cannot be published in journal[s] with very high impact factors but still provide very important information for clinicians and program managers… [S]cientists from LMIC[s] can request waivers for publication fees. This is a service that we provide because they will not otherwise have opportunities to publish their work [OA]… While research from LMICs may not always provide ground-breaking information, it is very relevant for those working in LMIC settings, where [the] majority of people living with HIV live. 

Publishing essential research

AIDS Research and Therapy is just one example of the important service these quartile three/quartile four journals provide to global research. Springer Nature recently published a white paper Demonstrating Journal Value Beyond Rankings, that goes into more depth and looks at journals across disciplines. (Dr. Castelnuovo contributed a case study for this white paper.)

Find out more in the white paper: Demonstrating Journal Value Beyond Rankings.

Related content

• Redefining impact: how inclusive publishing builds value beyond journal rankings

There’s a cliché that says: It’s darkest before the dawn. Each year on 10 December, we commemorate the anniversary of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Today, 77 years later, this year’s Human Rights Day theme is, “Our Everyday Essentials.” And Springer Nature, as part of our focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), actively supports researchers working directly on these issues.

The theme of this year’s Human Rights Day shows how human rights shape our daily lives. Human rights are far from abstract ideas but are essential elements of our everyday lives.

The 2025 Human Rights Day

The UN proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, 1948 — just three years after the end of World War II — and we celebrate Human Rights Day on the anniversary of that day each year. On this 77th anniversary, the theme of “Our Everyday Essentials” spotlights that human rights are positive, essential and attainable. In times of growing conflict and divided societies, “Our Everyday Essentials” seeks to reconnect people with human rights and bridge “the gap between human rights principles and everyday experiences”. The aims of this year’s Human Rights Day are threefold and strive to

1. Strengthen the understanding of human rights, 
2. Engage people to advocate for human rights, and
3. Inspire and encourage individual and collective action.

The Intersection of Human Rights Day and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions 

The preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”. This makes promoting human rights an inherent part of the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs’) agenda, especially SDG 16. SDG 16 is dedicated to the promotion of peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Springer Nature’s Human Rights Portfolio

The researchers we work with (from across disciplines), and the work they publish with us, cover the whole range of research into human rights protection, tying directly into Human Rights Day 2025’s themes. Springer Nature’s portfolio reflects the importance and tangible nature of human rights. Some examples of the books we have published — some of which you will also find on this page —include research on (1) contemporary challenges to human rights, (2) foundations of human rights law and theory, (3) human rights in (everyday) practice and (4) regional human rights regimes.

In times of growing conflict and societies marked by divisions, our titles explore solution strategies to these contemporary Challenges to Human Rights from a scientific and often interdisciplinary lens. Titles include: 

• Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law - International Humanitarian Law under Pressure edited by Heike Krieger, Pablo Kalmanovitz, Eliav Lieblich and James Patrick Sexton (2026) 
• Identity-Based Mass Violence in Urban Contexts – Uncovered edited by Rachel Locke, Kelsey Paul Shantz, Andrei Serbin Pont and Jai-Ayla Sutherland (2025) 
• Girls’ Positionalities at the Intersection of Identity and Violence edited by Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati (2026) 
• Prevention of Human Rights Violations in the Corporate Sphere - Perspectives on Criminal Compliance and Corporate Criminal Liability, by Louise de Barros Ibarra Papa (2025) 

Foundations of Human Rights Law and Theory: This theme covers titles that offer foundational texts on human rights. Our titles cover conceptual approaches and philosophical aspects of human rights as well as legal institutions at the international level. Titles include:

• An Introduction to Human Rights in African Philosophy by Motsamai Molefe (2025) 
• Black British Postcolonial Feminist Ways of Seeing Human Rights by Pamela Odih (2024) 
• The UN Charter - Five Pillars for Humankind by David J. Scheffer and Mark S. Ellis (2025) 
• Expanding Access to Justice- An Empirical Analysis of the Participation of State and Non-State Actors in the International Court of Justice by Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida and Giulia Tavares Romay (2024) 

Human Rights in (Everyday) Practice: Central to this year’s theme, our titles address human rights in (everyday) practice and spotlight the protection of specific human rights. Our titles span a wide range of human rights, including children’s rights, minority rights, participatory rights, and rights vis-à-vis the environment.

• The Interdependence of the Convention on the Rights of the Child - Understanding the Relationship of the Right to Play with other Convention Rights edited by Naomi Lott (2025) 
• Human Rights of the Transgender Community in India - Victimization and Beyond by Somabha Bandopadhay (2025) 
• The Human Right to Democracy in Multilevel Systems at a Time of Democratic Backsliding: Global, Regional and European Union Perspectives by Thomas Giegerich (2026) 
• Indigenous Peoples in the World Bank Group's Practice - An Inquiry in Light of International Human Rights Law by Silvia Solidoro (2025) 
• Building Bridges for Effective Environmental Participation: The Path of Law Co-Creation - The Chiquitano Multimodal Format for Disseminating the Escazú Agreement edited by Margherita Paola Poto and Giulia Parola (2024) 
• Handbook on Human Rights to a Healthy Environment - International, Regional, and Comparative Pathways for Policy Intervention in Cameroon edited by Jean-Claude N. Ashukem (2025) 

Regional Human Rights Regimes: Protecting human rights requires strong legal institutions. Our titles explore the protection of human rights not only at the international level but also spotlight regional protection regimes. Titles include:

• The Impact of European Human Rights Bodies on Penal Policies by Gaëtan Cliquennois (2025) 
• A Comparison of the European, Inter-American, African and Arab Human Rights Courts: Institutional Aspects edited by Ahmed Almutawa and Konstantinos D. Magliveras (2025) 
• The Protection of Indigenous Knowledge in Africa by Enyinna Nwauche (2025) 
• Hand in Hand? Canada at the Human Rights and Peacebuilding Nexus edited by Kirsten Van Houten and Alex Neve (2024) 

You’ll also find even more essential research in Springer Nature’s ongoing book series, including: 

• Palgrave Critical Studies in Human Rights and Criminology  
• Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Rights
• Human Rights Interventions 
• Gender, Justice and Legal Feminism 
• Gender Perspectives in Law
• Studies in Global Justice 
• New Approaches to Business, Human Rights and the Environment
• Sustainable Development Goals Series

as well as in the journals we publish, for example:

• Jindal Global Law Review 
• American Journal of Criminal Justice 
• Human Rights Review
• Feminist Legal Studies 

Add your voice to Springer Nature’s Human Rights programme

The work that human rights researchers publish with Springer Nature are part of the efforts to create a better day. Editors from across Springer Nature have curated human rights-related research on a dedicated hub, which I invite you to explore.

Explore human rights-related publications and more on our dedicated hub.

Related content: 

• Why the Social Sciences matter now more than ever 
• Palgrave Macmillan Celebrates 25 Years: The Story of Why Social Science Matters
• Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Programme 

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Every year, millions of us take our vehicles for an annual check-up, and that check-up is far more than just a mechanic kicking the tyres and asking us whether we’ve heard any funny noises.  Not only do we not want to break down on a motorway, we want to catch problems early, before they turn into bigger issues (and bigger bills). That requires a comprehensive service that looks at all parts of the machine. And this applies whether we are talking about a racing bike that offers transport to a few, or a mighty double-decker bus that carries thousands every day.     

The same principle of taking a careful look at how things are running is true when it comes to research integrity and our journals.  Last year we established our Assurance team, an audit team within the Springer Nature Research Integrity Group (SN RIG) that reviews how research integrity-related policies and procedures are applied across journals.  SN RIG Assurance audits are independent from the teams being audited, they are modelled on methods used by SN Internal Audit team, and they're designed to provide a strong layer of accountability.  Our audits benchmark against internal policies and industry standards such as COPE.  They assess the submission to publication process, including editorial and collection management, and aim to reduce research integrity risks, identify areas for improvement and share best practice.      

Case Study: Cureus Journal of Medical Science

One of Assurance’s first projects was a four-month audit of the Cureus Journal of Medical Science (Cureus JMS). Springer Nature acquired Cureus in late 2022, recognising its potential to expand open access, peer-reviewed research, in particular clinical case reports, and support improved health outcomes globally. Cureus JMS follows a unique publishing model that helps researchers from underserved communities to publish their findings rapidly in a freely accessible format and allows approved institutions to showcase research through Academic Channels that are fully overseen by Cureus JMS’ independent editors.

As a relatively recent acquisition, we decided that it would be a good place to begin our work. The audit reviewed a representative sample of published Cureus JMS articles from 2023 to 2024, including both Academic Channel and non-Channel content. We examined submission processes, peer review management, editorial oversight and channel management to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. To ensure that our work was reliable and accurately represented the journal, we used a sample size large enough to provide 95% confidence in our findings, giving us strong evidence to guide recommendations. In agreement with Cureus JMS, we then undertook an audit of an even larger sample to provide us with an 99.9% confidence in our findings, which supported the same findings and recommendations.

Findings and improvements: From Tune-up to Upgrade

The audit confirmed that Cureus JMS operates with robust controls and effectively safeguards research integrity in the vast majority of cases. These controls include: 

• rigorous single-blind peer review by at least two independent reviewers 
• strong editorial oversight throughout the publishing process 
• established systems that effectively mitigate research integrity risks.

However, much like a mechanic's full service, we identified opportunities to fine-tune performace, and Cureus JMS was receptive to our recommendations. 

Clarifying Processes and Strengthening Transparency

The audit highlighted opportunities to make Cureus JMS’ processes clearer for authors, reviewers, and Channel staff—particularly around declarations for ethics, informed consent, and conflict of interest disclosures. While authors were prompted to submit declarations during the submission process, we occasionally found them to be incorrect or missing. Cureus JMS acted quickly by refining author guidelines, improving submission workflows to capture accurate disclosures, and strengthening training for editors and Academic Channel teams.

Addressing Misconceptions

One important finding was that some terminology used by Cureus JMS - in relation to Academic Channels ‘article adviser’ roles - could lead to misconceptions about rigour and bias. Channel processes were found to be robust and, to remove any ambiguity, Cureus JMS publicly clarified:

• Channel operations:  Each submission is managed by an independent Cureus JMS editor, who oversees peer review using vetted reviewers. Safeguards are in place to prevent Channel members from accessing manuscripts and influencing decisions.
• Channel roles: Channel Admins manage the channel homepage. Curators, who are specialists in their field, perform an initial screening for scope, language, and formatting before manuscripts enter formal peer review.
• Adviser roles: Authors can invite peers for feedback while their manuscript undergoes independent peer review. This advisory input is separate from the formal peer review process, which remains managed by Cureus JMS editors and conducted by vetted reviewers.

These refinements, alongside enhanced training, reinforce Cureus JMS’ strong foundation and commitment to transparency.

Strengthening Channel Governance

Academic Channels allow institutions to showcase research with added visibility. All content published through Channels undergoes independent peer review managed by Cureus JMS editors, who retain final publication decisions.

Assurance recommended additional vetting for institutions and Channel staff prior to participation, and committing these checks to written guidance documents, so that vetting would be consistently accurate. Cureus JMS acted promptly and created internal guidance that includes up-to-date integrity checks. Today, all institutions and Channel staff are verified against integrity checks, and Cureus JMS maintains oversight of Channel conduct and content.

Looking Ahead

Research integrity is not a one-time effort — it’s a continuous journey. Like regular check-ups keep vehicles safe, audits help journals run smoothly and reliably. By working collaboratively and transparently, we help journals like Cureus JMS strengthen their processes and continue to uphold high standards. This reflects Springer Nature’s broader approach: investing in technology and expert teams, harnessing new AI and other tools, and continually evolving. At the heart of this is a focus on building and maintaining trust—through openness and working together.

Learn more about our research integrity work here.

As the research ecosystem undergoes rapid transformation, from the rise of AI to the push for open science, institutions and publishers are rethinking how knowledge is created, shared and valued. This blog features insights from David Rosowsky, Senior Advisor to the President at Arizona State University and member of Springer Nature’s US Research Advisory Council (USRAC), as he explores how AI is reshaping scholarly communication, the importance of rebuilding public trust and the role of early career researchers in leading change toward a more inclusive and innovative research future.

The pace of change in the global research landscape is accelerating, driven by technological breakthroughs, shifting funding models and a growing demand for openness and accountability. Against this backdrop, academic institutions and publishers are rethinking their roles in shaping the future of science. At the heart of this transformation is a renewed focus on collaboration, innovation and trust.

Springer Nature’s US Research Advisory Council (USRAC), launched in 2021, was created to foster dialogue between publishers and key stakeholders across the research ecosystem, including funders, institutions, policymakers, scholarly societies, and early career researchers. The council provides a platform to share perspectives on research culture and the societal impact of science, helping Springer Nature align its publishing activities with the evolving priorities of the academic community.

David Rosowsky, Senior Advisor to the President at Arizona State University and a member of USRAC, brings a unique perspective to these challenges. His reflections build on themes explored in recent blogs on The Link, such as the growing role of open science in reshaping research culture and the urgent need to rebuild public trust in science. From transparency in peer review to empowering early career researchers, these blogs have spotlighted how institutions and publishers can work together to foster a more inclusive and impactful research ecosystem. In this interview, Rosowsky adds his voice to that conversation, sharing insights on AI, innovation and the future of scholarly communication.

What’s your role at Arizona State University?

I serve as Senior Advisor to President Michael Crow and as Senior Fellow in the University Design Institute (UDI) at ASU. As senior advisor, I assist the president in visioning and planning for several enterprise-level design and implementation strategies. This is a fascinating role and opportunity for me, at this stage in my career, to be part of a truly remarkable institution. In addition to getting to work with a remarkable university president and his leadership team, helping to vision and build an ever more innovative and impactful “New American University,” I am here at a time of great challenge and change for higher education. In my role at ASU, I am leveraging all of my experience as a faculty member, researcher, department head, dean, provost, and VPR. Being at ASU also provides a unique and powerful platform from which I continue to write and speak about higher U.S. higher education.

What led you to join USRAC, and what’s your experience been like?

I was invited to join and was quickly compelled by the opportunity to join other university leaders in advising and perhaps guiding one of the world’s leading scientific publishers as they, too, evolve vision and strategies for a rapidly changing world. This includes how to work most effectively in partnership with research institutions and researchers, but also how respond responsibly to political and technological shifts affecting both the conduct of research and the dissemination of new knowledge. I am impressed to see Springer-Nature getting out in front of the real challenges that lie ahead for researchers, research institutions, and the broader scientific community. My experience to-date (my first year on the USRAC) has been wonderful. My thinking has evolved, my views have expanded, and my professional network has grown thanks to this opportunity to serve as a member of the USRAC.

The latest USRAC theme explored AI and open science. What impact are you seeing on research practice?

The introduction of AI is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, one that is quickly impacting (and will forever alter) the entire scientific research landscape. Everything from the conduct of research to the dissemination of results to grant-writing to information/data access and even the once human-only endeavors of discovery and innovation are being upended. This is something to celebrate and be excited about, not to be resisted or feared. What an exciting time. Open science is the future, and it’s here. And scientific communication will be radically different in this new world of AI and open science.

What challenges do researchers face today, and how can institutions help?

Researchers are understandably nervous about securing the resources they need, now more than ever. There is considerable uncertainty and angst. Universities will not be able to make up the projected decline in federal support for research. Neither will philanthropy or the private sector (business). Institutions will need to approach the expected new reality from both sides: (1) assist researchers and research teams in identifying sources of support (traditional and new) and putting the best proposals forward, and (2) adjusting performance expectations and Review, Promotion, and Tenure (RPT) requirements to reflect the radically altered federal funding opportunity space. Other policies and practices that may require changes include those around university-industry partnerships, priority placed on (and support for) IP and tech transfer activities, and acknowledging the new vectors for scientific communication beyond the peer-reviewed journal article that can and should be counted in RPT decisions.

What inspires you about the future of research, and how can early career researchers and publishers help shape it?

Everything inspires me! I am a science geek first and foremost. I get excited every time I see a new technology, and new gadget, or a new discovery. And my brain quickly goes to “what does this make it possible to achieve NOW or NEXT?”. But we have serious work to do. First, we need to rebuild some very important relationships with the broader public. Whether it’s science, research, universities, or higher education broadly, all have lost public trust and confidence. So, while we all figure out how to continue to drive research and discovery in a changed world, we also must commit to restoring public trust and public support.

Our newest researchers are the ones who will show their colleagues not only the newest technologies and techniques, but also the newest ways of sharing both excitement and the findings from their work. They are also going to be explorers, pioneers and first-adopters in leveraging new sources of funding and new partnerships to conduct their research.

Great publishers, those that are both forward-looking (seeing changes on the horizon for their industry and for the scientific communities that support them) and genuinely committed to the success of faculty and researchers, can help respond to all the issues I mentioned above. I am honored to be part of the USRAC and, I hope, helping to make these partnerships happen, succeed, and matter.

About David Rosowsky

David Rosowsky is Senior Advisor to the President at Arizona State University, Senior Fellow at the University Design Institute, and Foundation Professor in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. With over 20 years in senior leadership roles, including Provost at the University of Vermont, Vice President for Research at Kansas State University, and Dean of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he brings deep expertise in institutional strategy, research innovation, and academic leadership.

As a frequent speaker and writer, Rosowsky focuses on topics such as higher education governance, change management, research strategy, public university transformation and the future of scholarly publishing. His work has been featured in Forbes, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and AGB Trusteeship magazine.

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This article was originally published in 2019 and was last updated in November 2025.

Preprints are known to provide a number of benefits for the research community and that is why their usage and sharing is rapidly growing in the field; from getting community feedback on your work as a researcher, enabling you to claim priority for a discovery to granting you with free and speedy access to research findings.

At Springer Nature we always supported preprint sharing in our imprints, and now we are pushing the envelope even further to make it easier for researchers and the community to use and share preprints by introducing a new unified policy across all Springer Nature journals.

Here are the four essential things to know about our new policy:

You can choose the license you prefer for your preprint: We support all varieties of licenses for preprints including Creative Commons (CC) licenses. The type of CC-license chosen will affect how the preprint may be shared and reused. More information to help guide licensing choices can be found in these resource documents developed by an ASAPbio licensing taskforce.

You should cite preprints as per scholarly norms for citation: Preprints may be cited in the reference list of articles under consideration at Springer Nature journals, as shown here;  Babichev, S. A., Ries, J. & Lvovsky, A. I. Quantum scissors: teleportation of single-mode optical states by means of a nonlocal single photon. Preprint at http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0208066 (2002).

You can submit your preprint to any legal preprint sharing platform of your choice: Publishing your research manuscript on a preprint server will not affect the way your article is handled when it is submitted: Posting of preprints of research manuscripts is not considered prior publication and will not jeopardize consideration at Springer Nature journals. Furthermore, research manuscripts posted on preprint servers will not be taken into account when determining the advance provided by a research study under consideration at a Springer Nature journal.

You are free to respond or clarify if the media ask you questions about a preprint manuscript: We advise you to be clear with journalists that preprints are not peer reviewed so the claims made in the research manuscript are provisional and may change. Researchers should also be aware that media coverage of preprint material may reduce or pre-empt coverage by other media at the time of publication.

Preprints are a great way to share your research early and get feedback from the community. Start sharing and track your manuscript’s review progress with our In Review service.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become a powerful lens through which we understand and address society’s most urgent challenges. SDG research has grown faster than the broader research market, with SDG-related articles currently accounting for almost 25% of all research published. But does SDG research have impact beyond academia?

A new Springer Nature report, titled From publications to policy: the impact of research towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, explores how SDG research is cited in policy. It draws on more than 19 million policy documents, and offers a new perspective on the relationship between science and real-world decision-making.  

The results are encouraging, as Ritu Dhand, Springer Nature’s Chief Scientific Officer, tells us. 

What is the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals and how much published research is related to one of the 17 SDGs?

Is SDG research used and cited more than non-SDG research? 

Yes, our own publishing data, as outlined in the report, shows that SDG-related research is used, cited, and downloaded more, especially when published open access. In other words, SDG research demonstrates higher academic impact. This trend reflects the global relevance and urgency of SDG topics such as health, climate, and social development, which attract significant scholarly engagement and visibility.  

Recent research from Springer Nature has also shown that a majority of researchers would like “public good” to be taken into account in assessments of their research contributions, in terms of the effect of their work on society, the economy, or global challenges more broadly. 

What about the impact of SDG research beyond academia?

When we consider research impact we usually think article citations and journal impact factors, however surely the highest measure of research is when it is seen to have societal impact and lead to new policy measures. The UN’s 2030 Agenda also calls for science to inform policy and deliver societal outcomes, but, until now, there has been limited evidence showing how published research is actually taken up in policy. The report from publications to policy, published in partnership with Overton, is groundbreaking, focusing on how research is being used. 

And the results are encouraging! Academic research is cited in SDG-related policy more often than in wider policy, and we see think tanks, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs) playing an important role in bridging the gap between research and policy. This is significant, because it can be challenging for research to find its way into policy. In this light, we are more than proud of our SDG journals when >50% of the published articles are directly addressing one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"This new report offers a new perspective on the relationship between science and real-world decision-making. The results are encouraging: Academic research is cited in SDG-related policy more often than in wider policy.” 

You mentioned that when SDG research is published open access, it is used, cited, and downloaded more. Can you elaborate on the role of open access with regard to the SDGs?

Publishing open access makes research accessible to anyone, anywhere. Open access supports the UN 2030 Agenda by ensuring that knowledge essential to sustainable development is accessible, reusable, and actionable. It removes barriers to knowledge, increasing visibility.  

The report shows that SDG-related research is more likely to be published open access and that open access articles are more likely to be cited, with a higher average number of policy citations. Our findings indicate that the visibility and reach of SDG research in policy is amplified when published open access. 

Findings from the report show that other editorial models influence SDG policy impact. What’s the story there?

I’ve just touched on the role open access plays, but we see that other factors play a role too. For instance, inclusive journals play a critical role in advancing the Goals. As the report shows, from a sample of 100,000 articles from Springer Nature’s journals, inclusive journal articles received slightly more SDG policy citations than comparative selective journal articles. This is a notable finding, as it suggests that while selective journals are more highly cited in academia than inclusive journals, they are not necessarily more influential in policy. 

We also saw that policy documents cite a high proportion of non-primary research content, including reviews, letters, and news, indicating that summaries and syntheses are valued in policymaking.

The report discusses the underrepresentation of research from the Global South. What is the issue and which factors have contributed to it?

Indeed, a major challenge is the underrepresentation of research from the Global South and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in policy, even within their own domestic contexts. Most SDG-related policy documents in these regions rely heavily on research from high-income countries, particularly the US and UK, while South-to-South knowledge exchange remains minimal.  

This imbalance reflects structural barriers such as limited visibility of Southern research, linguistic divides, and systemic inequalities in global publishing systems. As a result, policies often lack contextually relevant evidence, reducing their effectiveness in addressing local priorities and lived realities. 

How can Springer Nature work to strengthen the research-policy connection for the SDGs and address some of the recommendations from the report?

We are actively working to strengthen the research-to-policy connection by expanding open access publishing, supporting inclusive journals, and commissioning content such as reviews that policymakers value.  

We also invest in training, widening geographic representation to amplify research from the Global South, and partnerships with think tanks, NGOs, and IGOs.  

Through initiatives like the Science for a Sustainable Future event series, Springer Nature brings together policymakers and researchers to foster collaboration and ensure that evidence-based science informs decisions aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda. 

And from the side of researchers, how can they help their research inform policy decisions? 

Researchers can improve the chances of their work influencing policy by focusing on accessibility, inclusivity, and relevance.  

The report shows that open access significantly accelerates and amplifies policy impact, with open access articles cited in SDG-related policy both sooner and more frequently than non-open access articles. Inclusive journals are cited in policy at similar or even higher rates than selective journals, making them a valuable route for impact.  

Policymakers also favour synthesised and accessible formats, such as reviews, commentaries, and summaries, over lengthy primary research. Finally, building partnerships with knowledge brokers such as think tanks, NGOs, and IGOs can help bridge the gap between research and decision-making, ensuring evidence is translated into actionable policy.

Read the report: From publications to policy: the impact of research towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Ritu Dhand, Chief Scientific Officer, Springer Nature

Ritu Dhand is responsible for championing our editors, focusing on promoting and driving external editorial excellence, in partnership with all the journal publishers across Springer and BMC journals.

Before taking on the role of Chief Scientific Officer in January 2022, Ritu served as VP Nature Editorial, overseeing editorial strategy and management of Nature, Nature Communications, and the Nature Research and Review Journals.

Ritu holds a PhD in cancer research from University College, London.

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• Blog: The role of metrics in research assessment
• Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Programme

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Operations Research is a field focused on solving complex, real-world problems using analytical methods. From transportation and logistics to healthcare and supply chains, its applications are wide-ranging and increasingly important. This blog introduces Springer Nature’s new Operations Research eBook collection and explores how it supports teaching, research and professional practice across disciplines.

Operations Research helps industries manage complexity and make smarter decisions. It’s especially valuable in logistics, transportation, supply chains, manufacturing and energy, fields where systems are interconnected and data-driven decisions matter. Also known as Management Science, it uses analytical methods and modelling to solve real-world problems, from pricing and financial planning to healthcare and disaster response. It’s also central to business education: around 30% of Springer Nature’s Operations Research portfolio includes professional books used in MBA case studies, and 11% are textbooks used in core curricula.

As its relevance grows, Operations Research is gaining fresh attention. Springer Nature’s new eBook collection brings together content from business, mathematics, computer science and engineering, making it one of the most interdisciplinary resources available. We spoke with editorial directors William Achauer and Christian Rauscher about the thinking behind the collection and why it’s a timely resource for academic libraries, research offices and corporate teams.

What motivated the launch of the Operations Research eBook collection and who is it for?

Operations Research is a core sub-discipline within Springer Nature’s business and management publishing portfolio. The decision to launch a dedicated eBook collection was driven by the success of the broader business and management collection and the opportunity to serve a growing audience focused on quantitative, data-driven approaches. With contributions from applied mathematics, computer science and engineering, the collection is highly interdisciplinary and reflects the expanding relevance of Operations Research across sectors.

This collection is designed for a wide range of users: researchers in business, logistics, supply chain management, analytics, economics (especially Game Theory), applied mathematics and engineering; professionals working in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, sports and tourism; and students studying these disciplines. It supports both academic inquiry and practical application, making it a valuable resource for institutions and individuals alike.

Which research areas and expert contributors shape the Operations Research eBook collection?

The Operations Research eBook collection covers a wide range of research areas, including industrial production, logistics, routing and scheduling, supply chain management, multicriteria decision making, game theory and the management of large complex systems. It also explores cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, big data, distributed ledger technology, smart grids, and adaptive systems, reflecting the latest trends in both research and industry.

The collection features contributions from leading experts in the field, including:

• Frederick Hillier (Stanford), founding editor of the flagship series ISORMS
• Michel Gendreau (Montreal), current ISORMS editor and top-cited scholar in operations research
• Grazia Speranza (Brescia), former president of EURO
• Panos Pardalos (Florida), EURO Gold Medal winner
• Dmitry Ivanov (Berlin), co-author of Global Supply Chain and Operations Management
• Gilbert Laporte (Montreal), Order of Canada recipient and one of Canada’s most influential management researchers

Together, these contributors help shape a collection that is both academically rigorous and practically relevant.

Which subject areas are closely related to Operations Research and why do they matter?

Operations Research overlaps significantly with applied mathematics, computer science and engineering, disciplines that provide the analytical and technical foundation for its models and methods. These connections enable the development of tools for optimization, decision-making and systems analysis across industries.

Its interdisciplinary nature also links it to several other subject areas. Research into the fields of production, logistics and supply chain can be expanded by the Springer Nature Business & Management eBook collection, applied science has crossovers with the Mathematics collection, the field of big data analytics is also covered by the Computer Science collection, industrial management is an interdisciplinary field within Mechanical Engineering and game theory, financial management and investment and distributed ledger technology (DLT) are also part of the Economics & Finance collection.

These crossovers make Operations Research a powerful framework for tackling complex challenges across academic and professional domains.

What content will the first books in the Operations Research eBook collection cover?

The initial titles in this new eBook collection bring together core works from the business and management program, alongside key contributions from applied mathematics, computer science and engineering. The content reflects the breadth of the field, with applications in mobility, retail, healthcare management, disaster response and more.

Covering nearly every product category, from SpringerBriefs and Palgrave Pivots to monographs, proceedings and textbooks, the collection supports undergraduate, graduate and advanced learning, as well as professional practice through case studies and applied research. As William Achauer, Editorial Director for eBooks in Operations Research, notes:

“Springer Nature is the leading publisher of Operations Research, both in terms of journals and in books. This eBook collection represents the largest set of contributions of methods, cases, and applications in Operations Research there is on the planet.”

This collection offers a unique opportunity to access high-quality, interdisciplinary content that supports teaching, research and innovation. To explore the full scope of the Operations Research eBook collection or to discuss how it can enhance your library’s offerings, visit the collection or get in touch.

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AI tools make it easy to generate content, and you can use this content to talk about your research on social media. However, the tricky part about using these tools (including ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and others) is that while they offer opportunities, they also have potential pitfalls. They’ll help you say more in less time; but without investing time in checking, editing, and adding your own authentic voice, you won’t get the attention you’re looking for.    

In this blog, we’ll talk about some of the best ways to use AI on social media, including how to make sure you keep that authentic voice, how to avoid posting AI hallucinations, and more. 

Common AI tools 

First, which AI tools are researchers using? As part of an ongoing effort to understand researchers’ needs, Springer Nature recently surveyed researchers on the AI tools that they’re using in their work. Although that survey focused on the tools researchers use in finding and consuming information, you would also use those same tools to create social media content about your work.  

The survey found that the tools researchers use include some of the most known and common ones, including: 

• ChatGPT (OpenAI)  
• DeepSeek  
• Gemini (Google)  
• Copilot (Microsoft, but which runs on OpenAI’s models)  
• Perplexity  
• Claude (Anthropic) 

Most of these are generative, however Perplexity is more of a search engine, and also provides an AI-enhanced web browser. (There are more AI-enhanced browsers coming on the market, but they’re not aimed at generating content.)   

They all generally work in a similar way, with an easy-to-use interface where you can ask the system what you want it to generate for you. These “prompts” can range from the very simple to rather detailed; but the more detailed your prompt, the more likely you are to get the output you’re looking for.   

(It is also worth noting that some social media platforms are building their own AI tools directly on their platforms, as well.)   

The tools listed here are most frequently thought of as generating text, but they can also generate images. And there are some others, not listed here (including Sora), that specialise in generating video. The best practice suggestions we’ll discuss will generally apply across all of them.   

AI best practices   

All of the best practices come down to, and derive from, trust and authenticity. The most important piece is to make sure that what you post is factually true and accurate, talks about your research correctly, avoids bias, and is authentically your voice. Doing this relies both on careful prompting, as well as checking, editing, and revising the output before you post it.   

Even so, these tools will save time and help generate new ideas. You can: Ask AI for inspiration as to what to post; upload your work into tools like Copilot or ChatGPT and ask it to generate draft posts for you; write your thoughts about your work in your own voice, and then upload that, and ask these tools to generate “remixes” to give you more to post. And, you can include character limits in your prompts — so you can tell the AI to keep its outputs to limited character counts, which is helpful when generating material for microblogging sites like BlueSky or Mastodon (these sites similar to platform X).   

One additional note: You should also edit out words that AI commonly uses that could flag your posts as AI — words like, “unlock,” “delve,” “leverage.” You can also keep your eyes open to words you frequently see online from possible AI-generated material, and keep a list of these. You can actually include, in your prompts, instructions that the tool you’re using should avoid those words.  

You can also train some of these tools on your voice so that its initial output sounds more like you, but you should still edit it before you post. And that’s to say nothing about checking it over for accuracy, to make sure you’re not posting inaccurate or misleading AI-generated information, and to follow the guidelines for responsible AI use. (You should also follow some general safety guidelines. These would include prioritizing human well-being and dignity, editing the output for bias, and being accountable for what you post.) But the key step comes after that, and that’s to edit these outputs to add your own individual voice — to make it yours, and to make it have a better chance at standing out.   

How to get started

Of course, the best practices and advice for using social media that we’ve discussed in past blog posts still apply here. Just that using these tools can help give you inspiration, can help you get a volume of material to post with less effort, and can help you get the word out about your research. It’s just one more puzzle piece to getting your work the attention it deserves. 

And remember to check out the previous blogs in this series:    

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In an era of rapid technological change and information overload, trust in science and media is facing unprecedented challenges. AI brings powerful tools for discovery and communication, but it can also be used by some for distortion. Responsible communication means preserving context, verifying claims before amplification, and being transparent about limitations. It is a shared responsibility across publishers, journalists, and readers.

At this year’s Frankfurt Bookfair, Joyce Lorigan, Group Head of Corporate Affairs at Springer Nature, and Daniel Lingenhoehl, Editor-in-Chief at Spektrum der Wissenschaft, shared their perspectives on combating false narratives and maintaining public trust in the context of science communication. Below is a summary of the key discussion points made during this session.

Thank you both for joining us today. To begin with, can you tell us a bit about how the increase in social media and usage of AI tools has impacted the spread of misinformation over the past few years? 

Joyce: Perhaps for some context: Nearly two-thirds of people worldwide (63%) say they struggle to distinguish trustworthy media from deceptive sources (Edelman Trust Barometer 2025). I also heard earlier this week at the Book Fair that in the US, 60% feel that science is influenced by government, corporates or the self-interest of scientists. We see that trust in the information people are reading is under immense pressure. Deepfakes and misinformation can now circulate at lightning speed, making it harder for people to verify facts. The sheer volume of content and the sophistication of AI-driven tools mean misinformation can look extremely convincing and spread widely before it’s challenged.

Daniel: Fake News isn’t new, but as Joyce pointed out, the scale and speed are. Social media combined with AI has made it a lot easier to spread misinformation. While 60% of Germans think they can spot fake news, 80% don't check whether posts are true. We’ve even seen very sophisticated attacks, such as the “Doppelgänger website”, when whole websites were faked including Spektrum and Spiegel, among others, to spread misinformation. Luckily, it was removed, and the outreach was neglectable, but it is concerning, nonetheless.

This is a fast-paced changing landscape, as you say. So, from your experience, what can media outlets and publishers do to counter misinformation?

Joyce: At Springer Nature, we invest significantly in talented people and sophisticated AI tools to detect and then stop integrity issues in research. Since 2021, we have invested over 650 million euros in various technologies, including those with a focus on research integrity, and with the help of tools like these, we can detect problematic submissions more quickly and accurately. We are committed to ensuring that this statistic stays as low as possible. This is made more difficult by fraudulent actors in the system trying to manipulate research for their own gain. They too have advanced AI tools, and so we always have to stay one step ahead. This means constant investment and also sharing, where we are able, our learnings with or publishing peers such as via our collaborations with the STM Integrity Hub, to address these challenges together. Most recently Springer Nature donated a unique AI tool that identifies problematic text to the publishing community via this collaboration. Beyond safeguarding integrity, we work to make science accessible. We organize policy events such as our event series Science on the Spree, host regular media briefings where researchers can explain findings to policymakers, media and the general public, and work collaboratively with organisations such as the Science Media Centre. These efforts help ensure responsible science communication via clear, transparent engagement.

Daniel: Media education must start in schools. As media, we need to be where readers are, build trust, and explain facts repeatedly: how science works, where uncertainties lie, and why questioning is part of progress. Many people don’t know that scientific questioning of specific aspects of climate change or vaccines does not mean that the general science beyond that has been wrong. Similarly, we have to demystify AI: how it works, its benefits, biases, and risks. Enlightened people are harder to mislead, so constant engagement and transparency are key. 

You touched upon this aspect of incorporating the community, which raises the point around responsible communication, and the role you play in ensuring accuracy. How do you both address this and perhaps engage with your communities when it comes to supporting responsible communication? 

Joyce: As a publisher, we are the digital custodian of scientific research that dates back to the 17^th century. We hold a huge library that is constantly being updated to ensure that it reflects the most recent editorial comments. This is a huge responsibility that we don’t take lightly. To keep pace with the continuous growth in articles and to maintain high-quality levels in publishing, the use of AI offers a huge opportunity – to help editors find peer reviewers, for example, streamline workflows, and make research more discoverable. All of this is done with a human at the helm. Our colleagues are highly skilled, highly educated and very passionate, purpose driven individuals – and we are lucky to have them. They are united in the desire to accelerate discovery and help find solutions to the world’s biggest problems. They are also very connected to their communities, and this extends to the online world. We have, for example, over 40 discipline focused Research Communities providing a platform for researchers and research-interested communities around the world to connect, generate discussions and explore research findings that matter to them. Circling back to how AI helps us in our work; we continue to invest in a number of AI tools that help advance discovery and protect the integrity and trust of research, underscoring our commitment to rigour and excellence. We’re also about to pilot AI driven summaries of research that can be added to the top of a piece of research. These are AI generated but signed off by the author and are designed to be easily understood so that the research is more accessible to others.

Daniel: Science journalism continues to be highly trusted, in part because of its close-knit, expert-driven community and the quality of its journalists. One of Spektrum’s unique values is scientists writing about what they know best, reinforcing credibility. Most of our editors have a degree in natural sciences and a profound knowledge of the things they report about, and many Nobel laureates have written for us. On top of that, both Spektrum and Springer Nature are active on social media, a vital tool for engagement and community-building, but one that also requires careful oversight. To build trust among readers Spektrum regularly invites subscribers to come and visit us, so that people can directly talk to editors. We go to events and talk about science, the media and society. And we promote our people with a specific expertise e.g. on climate change, AI or health issues as trusted sources. We are not an anonymous mass, but real people with profound knowledge. At the end of the day, however, we are people and mistakes happen. To build trust, we not only correct these but make the process transparent. At Spektrum we do this through remarks underneath an affected article. Because of the great community we have, readers detect mistakes or misleading interpretations pretty fast, which allows us to react fast too.

Thank you both for your insights - any final thoughts or comments?

Joyce: Transparency is key in science communication in the age of AI across publishers and the media. In today’s fast-moving digital environment, the relationship between science and journalism is more crucial than ever. Essentially, it’s on all of us to collaborate as publishers, journalists, scientists, and readers to maintain a healthy and trustworthy information ecosystem.

Daniel: I couldn’t agree more. I have great faith and hope in the active role of readers and communities. Challenge your reading behaviour, thought produces – check back on trusted sources before commenting, engaging or spreading misinformation. Challenge misinformation when you see it - and always be careful with viral content.

Ensuring this level of transparency, especially when AI tools are involved, remains a central challenge. These important topics of Trust and Science Integrity in the Age of AI were further discussed at Falling Walls by Alice Henchley, Director of Communications, Integrity, Ethics and Editorial Policy at Springer Nature, and Chris Graf, Director of Research Integrity at Springer Nature. Find out more about these panels here: AI Age & Trust: Ethics and Perspectives for Scicomm and Science Integrity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

Following my reflections from ALA 2025, where the evolving role of librarians in research management took centre stage, I recently had the opportunity to explore another frontier shaping our profession: artificial intelligence. At the Futurescape Libraries AI Workshop hosted by Carnegie Mellon University, librarians from across North America gathered to critically examine how AI might reshape discovery, access and trust in scholarly information. This column builds on the themes of partnership and proactive engagement I discussed previously, turning our attention to how librarians can help steer AI development toward values-driven outcomes.

In September, I attended the Futurescape Libraries AI Workshop under the auspices of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) in Pittsburgh. The workshop was grounded in the newly released toolkit designed to walk librarians through an exploration of the AI scenarios released by ARL and CNI in June 2024. There’s a lot of speculation and debate about AI right now. The workshop offered a welcome chance to dig deeper than the headlines and reconnect with fellow librarians. It gave us space to think critically about the range of possible futures ahead. We also explored what we, as librarians, can do to support each other, our patrons, and our institutions in preparing for those futures, both the promising and the challenging ones.

If you’re not familiar with the scenarios, I encourage you to check them out for yourselves, but I will summarize them briefly here (paraphrasing from the report):

• Scenario 1: Democratized and Socially Integrated AI, where the key players in government, industry, and education have come together to develop a robust and equitable framework for responsibly integrating the benefits of AI into all aspects of human society;
• Scenario 2: Consumer-Oriented AI Focused on Education and Entertainment, where large technology companies lead the field of AI development and focus on profitable direct-to-consumer applications;
• Scenario 3: Laissez-Faire AI, where widespread adoption of AI and an absence of functional regulation result in an erosion of trustworthy information, amplification of bias, and deliberate manipulation by bad actors;
• Scenario 4: Autonomous AI, where the scarcity and rising cost of human expertise leads key players to focus on developing AI to operate independently from human input, creating a world in which the benefits of AI are realized by ceding human agency.

Exploring the cone of possibilities for AI in libraries

As we were reminded at the beginning of the workshop: the purpose of these scenarios is not to predict which one will become our future reality, but to help us explore the “cone of possibilities” and identify the levers in our current reality that we can push on to try to steer away from the worst outcomes and towards the better ones. 

“For me, this open-ended and values-oriented approach to thinking about AI was a welcome tonic to the frequent hype and presentism that can dominate social media conversations about the wide range of technologies that are shoehorned under the capacious (and sometimes misleading) AI label.” 

And I found that my fellow attendees, who came from a wide range of libraries around North America, had a lot of insight to share about the challenges libraries are already facing as a result of new AI technologies, but also some of the excellent opportunities it offers us.

How AI is reshaping discovery in academic libraries

Interestingly, a lot of the challenges and opportunities AI brings to libraries seem to center around discovery. On the plus side, AI tools are getting really good at describing large digital archive collections. That means researchers, students and the public can access materials that were previously hard to find. Projects like the “Exploring Computational Description” at the Library of Congress and Yale’s “Digital Collections AI” show how fast these human-in-the-loop tools are improving. On the other, AI is being used to generate mediocre and, frequently, misleading content in volumes that threaten to swamp our human capacity for evaluation and curation. 

This use of AI poses a special problem for scholarly publishers as well, and Springer Nature is actively investing in (and sharing with the publishing community) AI tools to help identify and counter the rise of AI-driven misinformation in the scholarly publishing ecosystem.”

In fact, one of my big takeaways from this workshop was that there is already significant agreement between scholarly publishers, libraries and research institutions on the need to bring our shared, human-centered values to guide us towards a responsible use of AI. Transparency, accountability, fairness and dignity, coupled with strong data governance and a concerted effort to prevent harm to society and the environment, these are at the core of Springer Nature’s AI Principles. They align closely to the values expressed in ACRL’s AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers, particularly those expressed in the “Ethical Considerations” section of that document. The ACRL’s AI Competencies highlight the need to understand how different AI tools work and what they’re used for. They also encourage librarians to help patrons figure out when and how to use these tools to meet their information needs.

Strengthening scholarly trust through better AI tools

Clearly generative AI has added to the size of this challenge, and I was pleased to see attendees of the workshop lean into thinking about ways to address it. Ultimately, if researchers, librarians and academic publishers want to strengthen trust with the broader public, we need to rethink how we use AI. That means finding ways to give users better access to reliable information. Our discovery tools should meet people where they are.

“Everyone of us attending the workshop was under no illusions about the scope of the challenges academic libraries face right now and how to increase trust in scholarly sources of information is one of the greatest.”

At the same time, discovery tools need to do more than just deliver information. They should encourage users to think critically. That means prompting them to look at key sections of source texts and compare different perspectives. In other words, we need to support critical information literacy, so users can judge the quality and accuracy of what they find. This means being innovative in the interfaces we design while ensuring that the underlying architecture is solid, and that the technical and descriptive metadata we generate is robust and standards-compliant to support interoperability.

It’s a big challenge, but the good news is that several initiatives are already underway. Groups like STM, COUNTER, and NISO are working on the technical details, while keeping shared values front and center. And while many librarians harbor some skepticism about AI, it's important to note that being able to ask tough questions about how we can harness AI well is actually a strength. You’re already practicing one of the ACRL’s AI competencies: critical engagement!  So I encourage you to learn more about these efforts. Your constructive engagement will help make the solutions we build even stronger.

If you're interested in how the broader scholarly ecosystem is responding to AI, I encourage you to explore Perspectives on AI in scholarly communications, a report that brings together voices from several library leaders and Springer Nature experts reflecting on the opportunities and challenges ahead.

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It’s becoming increasingly common to stumble upon news stories reporting on bad science – papermills, manipulative scientists, flawed data.  However, these narratives only give us a narrow insight into the world of research, focusing on individual stories. They are just a tiny fraction of the robust published research that’s changing the world, reflecting the actions of a very small minority in a vast community of committed researchers.  Yet efforts to subvert the publication process do to persist and evolve, and we are committed to preventing them

Why Integrity Matters

Addressing the world’s most urgent challenges—from global health to food security—requires research that is trustworthy and ethically conducted.  Research integrity means using honest and verifiable methods in proposing, performing, and evaluating research, and reporting results in line with established guidelines. It is grounded in professional norms and codes developed by the research community itself, ensuring that findings can be trusted and built upon. 

Trust is the foundation of this process, and it is the most important commodity we have. That is why Springer Nature is committed to remaining the trusted home for ethically undertaken and reported research. By protecting the integrity of the scholarly record, we safeguard not only research itself but also public confidence in science, so that research can inform policy, guide responsible innovation, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We approach this responsibility with a focus on continuous assessment and improvement, and are grateful to those across the research ecosystem whose invaluable support reflects a shared commitment to this stewardship. 

We believe in transparency and accountability.  In 2024, we received over 2.3million submissions and published over 482,000 articles (translating to an acceptance rate of 21%), reflecting the scrutiny we – and our editors – apply through our editorial and publishing processes.  

And we retracted 2,923 publications — these retractions representing just 0.6% of our 2024 published content (but covering publications from multiple years). We’re proud to be the first publisher to publicly release our retraction data, reinforcing our commitment to accountability.   

A Shared Responsibility Across Springer Nature 

This is why we have embedded integrity throughout our organisation. From editorial and production to technology and legal teams, we’ve woven integrity into every workflow, and into the support we provide our global network of 180,000 editors, all working together to uphold rigorous standards. 

Our teams conduct technical checks to ensure submissions meet high standards. Our technology teams develop tools to screen content at scale. And our Research Integrity Group (SN RIG)—a dedicated team of over 55 experts—leads integrity tool and pattern development, investigations, training, audit, and policy development to safeguard the quality of our publications. The teams produce important results.  As an example, our Prevention team has identified over 83,000 paper mill papers in the last two years alone, using a combination of integrity tools and pattern detection initiatives. 

Investing in Integrity 

We’ve tripled our investment in research integrity over three years, and our commitment to investing in this important area won’t change. Since 2021, we’ve invested over €650 million in technology, including €177 million in 2024 alone. A significant proportion of this funding supports the development of AI-powered tools, submission screening systems, and training platforms that help us detect and prevent fraudulent content.  We continue to develop our AI-powered tools to help detect manipulated text, images, and references. Designed with human oversight, these tools uphold research integrity while streamlining editorial workflows. We use AI and other technology to verify author and reviewer identities, detect image manipulation, and flag citation issues—ensuring that only high-quality, credible research is published. 

Training and Empowerment 

Integrity is not just about technology, it’s about people. We offer a comprehensive training platform with over 20 courses, and many additional resources, supporting more than 31,000 registered editors and other key users. Topics range from peer review fundamentals to plagiarism and citation manipulation, as well as many other topics. We also train our internal staff in these key topics, and in 2024 alone our internal staff completed over 1,300 courses. 

We also work to reach the wider research community through specific, freely accessible, training, most notably through Nature Masterclasses and recent initiatives in India.  We have developed a free, self-paced Nature Masterclasses course on publication ethics, delivering around 8 hours of learning through modular components and, over the past three years, have promoted research integrity in India through nationwide outreach—delivering workshops, roadshows, and training across institutions to champion ethical, transparent, and inclusive research practices. 

Additionally, we provide targeted support for editors in vulnerable disciplines, equipping them with the skills to identify and respond to integrity concerns and auditing to find areas where improvements can be made.  

Collaboration  

Ensuring research integrity is a community-wide challenge and addressing it requires collective action and shared solutions. That’s why we collaborate with organizations such as COPE, DORA, ORCID, and STM. We also work closely with national bodies like UKCORI and ISTIC and contribute to global initiatives, including United2Act, to combat paper mills and misinformation. 

Notable examples of our work include chairing the governance board of the STM Integrity Hub, actively participating in its working groups and sharing one of our AI tools to support the development of shared technology and intelligence.  

The “sleuth” community—independent researchers who identify indicators of problematic content—plays an important role in spotting trends. We value their contributions and collaborate with them on investigations. 

Looking Ahead 

Ensuring integrity is a long-term commitment. As the research landscape evolves, so do the threats to integrity. At Springer Nature, we remain vigilant, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement. By placing integrity at the heart of our business, we protect the scientific record, support our communities, and ensure that the research we publish can be confidently built upon.  We invite institutions, funders, and all stakeholders across the research ecosystem to work together—not only to address underlying root causes of misconduct but to foster a culture of transparency and deter unethical behaviour. Through collaboration, we can create an environment where ethical research thrives and trust in science endures. 

More about our work in research integrity can be found here.  

Since its inception in 2015, the blog Social Science Matters has grown into a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, global collaboration, and public engagement – amplifying the voices of scholars tackling the world’s most urgent challenges. 

In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the blog, ten authors reflect on why social science research matters more than ever in light of current issues society faces.

Imagining a Better Future

By rethinking creativity socioculturally, we gain a deeper appreciation of everyday human agency and a clearer vision of how collective imagination and action can address the pressing challenges of our time. Read the blog 
 
Vlad Glăveanu, Professor of Psychology and Director of the DCU Centre for Possibility Studies, Dublin City University, Ireland

Exploring the ‘Why’ Behind Statistics

Hard data is not enough to help us understand the ways in which human communities unfold. Humans are complex and societies are layered with human error and achievement. The American story reflects complications and setbacks that can be explained through the study of social behavior.  Social science teaches us to explore the “why” behind the statistic. It explains the ways that societies work and do not work. Social science contributes to a thriving society. Read the blog 

Hope C. Rias, Bridgewater College, VA, USA

Opposing the Erosion of Democracy

Social sciences disciplines have been a kind of collateral damage in this far-rightward drift, as a growing number of universities around the world eliminate social sciences degree programmes and even entire departments and faculties. Meanwhile, far-right politicians have shown a propensity to pursue and attack social scientists, not least by denigrating their work and/or by cutting funding for their research.  

In such a climate, we need the social sciences more than ever because without them, we descend onto a dystopian world with no oppositional force to contest the forward thrust of far-right ideology and political action. Read the blog 

David Block, Honorary Professor of Sociolinguistics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain

Seeing Past the Headlines

The current controversy over “asylum seekers in hotels” illustrates the point. At first glance it appears to be about numbers and costs. But research shows the real driver is media amplification: a handful of cues (crisis, cost, control) reverberate between digital platforms, print, and broadcast outlets, hardening into the “common sense” of the moment. This dynamic burdens vulnerable people with responsibility for systemic policy failure. Social science provides evidence for rebalancing attention: amplifying first person voices, investing in better decision making, and creating safe and legal routes. With it, we gain the tools to design policies that are just, sustainable, and informed by context rather than spectacle. Read the blog 

Nasar Meer, Professor of Social and Political Science, University of Glasgow, UK

Dismantling Inequalities

Social science research matters now more than ever because it unmasks these contradictions, documents the lived effects of gendered regimes, and offers pathways for collective disruption. Without this work, universities risk reproducing the very inequalities they claim to dismantle. Read the blog  

Gail Crimmins, Associate Professor of Communication, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Australia

Promoting Education about Diversity

Neither social sciences nor sexuality education can hope to combat these attacks using logic and rationality because such debates are, at their heart, highly affective, transactional and political. Despite the attacks, sexuality education and social sciences continue. Governments desire to control them, to defund them, to ban them and remove academics and students who defend their disciplines. But sexuality and the social sciences are rhizomic, undisciplined and reliably ungovernable. While governments declare that there are only two genders, scientists, social media platforms, people of all ages and diverse embodiments across species and time tell us otherwise. Read the blog  

Mary Lou Rasmussen, Professor of Sociology, The Australian National University and Louisa Allen, Professor of Critical Studies in Education, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Acting as Lighthouses in Difficult Times

Social Scientists can act as ‘lighthouses’ of knowledge in sombre times: shedding light on the pressing global issues of our societies and building the collective confidence to challenge them both in our personal and public lives. Read the blog 

Francesca Romana Ammaturo, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and International Relations, London Metropolitan University, UK

Understanding Healthy Relationships with Technology

The social scientific notion of ‘affordances’ recognises that technology does not determine behaviour but affords certain possibilities that are taken up in different ways across communities. For example, messaging apps afford immediate and intimate communication between individuals who are physically apart, akin to chatting privately to a loved one in the same room. These design decisions tap into social pressures to be constantly available to friends and family – or ‘always on’. It is only through social science research that we can understand how people maintain healthy relationships and attend to their own wellbeing in a technologically advanced society, and design and deliver the necessary policy and support. Read the blog 

Caroline Tagg, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, The Open University, UK

Offering Foresight in Climate Change and Environmental Debt 

Fossil fuel producing companies and countries are using their massive resources to drill, pump and frack, thereby transferring carbon from the ground where nature had safely stored it to the sky where it results in greenhouse gases and global warming.  Social scientists won a Nobel Prize for proposing a polluter-pays solution, namely pricing carbon pollution so that an environmental debt does not accumulate.  Pay more now upfront in gas prices, plane and cruise tickets, etc., for the pollution fossil fuels cause to avoid paying much more debt over the next century for the wildfires, floods, insurance premiums, etc., they also cause.  Without foresight, the choice is to discount danger, defer payment, prioritize short-term over long-term affordability and support short-sighted leaders. Read the blog 

Raymond Murphy, Emeritus Professor, School of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Ottawa, Canada

Fostering Critical Thinking and Freedom of Expression

On one hand, social science research has been co-opted by big business and transformed into a competitive tool for shaping how we understand the world. It has the power to generate both innovative ideas and significant profits. On the other hand, it can become a mechanism of “cancel culture,” fostering self-censorship, silence, intolerance, and fear of dissent. Our challenge as social science researchers is to continue listening—and to ensure our voices are heard authentically. Read the blog 

Geetha Marcus, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education, The University of Edinburgh, UK

Blog: Social Science Matters

It provides a platform for our researchers, commissioning editors and practitioners to discuss developments in the social science community and to promote research impact.

If you’d like to contribute, or suggest new topics, please get in touch. 

Take a closer look at these – and other – articles published on Social Science Matters and don’t miss the 2025 Palgrave Annual Lecture Series.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming the way research is conducted, published, and discovered. Once seen as futuristic, it is now a driving force in scholarly communication. In a new report from Springer Nature, Perspectives on AI in scholarly communications: A discussion with libraries and publishing professionals, library leaders and publishing professionals share how AI is being used across the research ecosystem, what ethical considerations are emerging, and how collaboration can help ensure responsible implementation.

This blog summarises key insights from the report, offering reflections and examples from those working at the intersection of research, publishing and library services.

What can library perspectives tell us about AI?

Library professionals are uniquely positioned to reflect on the impact of AI within an academic setting, as they are not only experts in information discovery, but also increasingly guiding researchers in effective and ethical use of AI tools.

While quantitative data, such as usage statistics and survey results, can reveal broad trends in AI adoption, hearing directly from librarians brings greater depth and nuance to our understanding. These conversations offer a human lens on how AI is being experienced and implemented by those working on the front lines of scholarly communication and reveal learnings and considerations to support others within the community.

Our thanks go to the library staff who were interviewed for this report:

• Letícia Antunes Nogueira, Head of Section Resources & Digital Service, Norwegian University of Science & Technology Library, Norway
• Dr Santhosh KV, Deputy Director Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India
• Beth Montague-Hellen, Head of Library & Information Services, Francis Crick Institute, United Kingdom
• Keith Webster, Dean of University Libraries and Director of Emerging and Integrative Media Initiatives, Carnegie Mellon University, United States of America

Researchers are already using AI and libraries and publishers are responding

AI tools are becoming embedded in the research lifecycle. A Springer Nature survey of over 2,000 researchers found that more than half have used AI to read or write research papers, and the vast majority (80%) plan to continue doing so. Across the interviews, three core areas emerged where AI is already delivering value.

1. Enhancing information discovery: AI is transforming how researchers find and engage with scholarly content, through tools which help researchers find relevant literature faster and more intuitively. Libraries are seeing growing demand for platforms that offer summarisation, synthesis, and recommendation features. Letícia Antunes Nogueira noted that students increasingly expect AI-powered search tools: “We are seeing now, especially with students who are coming from high school, they have been used to searching using AI systems […] so these tools become ever more ubiquitous in making recommendations and finding literature.” Springer Nature is also investing in AI-driven discovery solutions to help researchers find the content they need, faster.
2. Streamlining manual processes: AI is helping researchers and librarians save time on repetitive tasks, with a wide range use-cases including literature reviews, grant applications, data analysis, and coding support. In publishing, Springer Nature’s peer review platform Snapp uses AI to streamline manual processes such as finding a suitable journal to submit a paper, and matching manuscripts with suitable reviewers, improving the overall submission experience.
3. Supporting research integrity: AI can also help safeguard the scholarly record. Chris Graf, Springer Nature’s Director of Research Integrity, described how large language models are being used to detect fake articles generated by paper mills and other types of suspicious submissions such AI-generated nonsense text, irrelevant references, and problematic images, but always with human oversight.

Ethical implementation: A shared responsibility

Whilst AI offers clear benefits, its implementation must be grounded in ethics, transparency, and collaboration. Interviewees highlighted several areas where librarians and publishers can lead the way.

• Educating researchers: With AI tools becoming ubiquitous, libraries are playing a critical role in educating researchers about responsible use. Training programmes are evolving to include guidance on AI tools, helping users understand both their potential and their limitations. Santhosh KV stressed the importance of awareness: “Good or bad, [AI has] already penetrated in a large sense. So now the only thing is educating and creating awareness of what are the good things in terms of AI, what are the do-nots.” Publishers also have a role to play in educating researchers about their own AI guidelines and policies. Springer Nature’s AI Principles, fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy and minimising harm, offer a framework for ethical development and use, and can serve as a reference point for institutional policies.
• Keeping humans in the loop: AI should augment human intelligence, not replace it. Across the board, contributors emphasised the importance of maintaining human oversight in research and publishing workflows. Critical thinking, judgement, and accountability remain essential, even as AI takes on more administrative tasks.
• Ensuring data quality: The effectiveness of AI tools depends on the quality of the data they are trained on. Libraries and publishers alike are working to ensure that datasets are diverse, representative, and ethically sourced. Poor data leads to poor outcomes, and both sectors recognise the need for robust data governance.
• Collaboration is key: Realising the full potential of AI requires collaboration across stakeholder groups. Publishers, libraries, and researchers each bring unique perspectives and when these are aligned, the results can be transformative. Libraries are engaging with researchers to understand their needs and working with publishers to co-create tools that serve the community. Keith Webster summarised: “Being able to represent some of the researcher needs we hope can help product development more broadly.”
• AI for equity and accessibility: Interviewees all noted that AI has potential to democratise access to knowledge - for example, helping non-native English speakers write and consume research, and making research content more accessible to non-specialist audiences. However, this is only possible if AI tools are developed and reviewed responsibly, and all the considerations above are taken into account.

Beth Montague-Hellen noted: “I had quite a lot of hopes that it would help level the playing field […]” however that has not necessarily been the case.”

Libraries at the centre of AI innovation

AI is transforming scholarly communications, and libraries and publishers are central to ensuring it is done ethically, responsibly, and collaboratively. From improving discovery to safeguarding integrity, libraries have a unique opportunity to lead in this space.

As AI tools continue to evolve, the role of the library will evolve with them – not as passive adopters, but as active partners in innovation to shape the future of research. As Letícia Antunes Nogueira summed up: “AI doesn’t change the mission of libraries, but it does change the environment where knowledge is produced. That also gives us the opportunity to renew our role as a library in the university system.”

To read further insights from librarians and publishing professionals, including their visions and hopes for the future, read the full report, Perspectives on AI in scholarly communications.

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Researchers tell us they want credit for more of the work they do. In 2025, we published the results from two large-scale surveys on research assessment and the sharing of null results (where research outcomes did not confirm the desired hypothesis). Both white papers signpost what is holding back – or might drive forward – open science. Here, we show why updating research assessment is essential if we want more researchers to share rigorously conducted null results.

Open science practices are on the rise

The research landscape looks markedly different to a decade ago: research output is on the rise leading to many more articles being published each year; our author base is more diverse; and open science is gaining momentum. In 2024, 50% of Springer Nature’s primary research was published open access, with signs that open sharing is nearing a global tipping point. 

So, what drives open sharing? Over several years, our State of Open Data survey, conducted in partnership with Figshare and Digital Science, has pointed to lack of credit as an ongoing blocker. As Figshare’s founder, Mark Hahnel, explained in his blog, we need to be able to measure the impact of open data sharing, and we need to reward researchers for doing so. The same applies beyond data to methods, code, protocols, and null results. If we want researchers to share more of their outputs, we need to make it fit naturally with their existing workflows, in ways that can be measured and credited.

Measuring and rewarding open science 

Research assessment is an important incentive for open practices. Our State of Research Assessment survey found that researchers worldwide want to be evaluated against a wider range of contributions that are more reflective of the work that they do. They also want research evaluation to consider the impact that they make beyond metrics, taking into account interdisciplinarity, impact on society, internationality, and openness, for example. Yet 55% of respondents stated that their work was evaluated entirely or mostly using metrics, of which publication metrics, such as citations or article-level metrics, were most common.

This focus on traditional metrics – based on the research article – makes it harder to credit the contributions that underpin rigorous, reproducible science. These reward systems are too narrow, and an emphasis on high impact research with high numbers of citations inevitably means that there is less incentive to share outputs that don’t align with this metric. This includes null results.

Why null results matter 

Sharing all outcomes of research, including null results, is a core tenet of open science. Sharing null results increases transparency, improve rigour, and reduces the significant wastage of research budgets. In our State of Null Results white paper, nearly all researchers recognised the benefits of sharing null results: 72% reported positive outcomes from publishing a null result, and 68% had used null results shared by others to refine their own work. They told us that sharing null results can help lead to better hypotheses, more rigorous methods, and new inspiration for their research. Sharing these results also helps to advance science, saving researchers from spending time or resources on paths that have already been explored.

Researchers who published null results in a journal shared examples of ways they had benefitted.

Challenging the status quo and opening new directions: 

• In medicine, one early career researcher commented how their publication “changed the false information held for many decades.”  
• A biologist in Canada found that sharing nulls led to collaborations and “three back-to-back papers… the publication transformed null results into positive results.” 

Supporting methodological rigour: 

• For another biologist, null results “helped other groups adjust their hypothesis and experimental approach,” and in another case, “opened a new research field.” 

Saved time and money: 

• A Swiss team’s paper was “widely cited,” saving others “from spending time on unproductive methodologies.”  
• An engineering researcher in Finland commented that a peer “cancelled a planned study” after reading their results.  

Benefits to research careers: 

• 20% reported a positive career impact and 20% a reputation boost. 
• 18% gained new collaborations with other research groups. 
• 17% saw others attempt replication. 

Despite these positive benefits, only 68% of those who have generated null results have shared them in some form. Only 30% submitted them to a journal, despite this being seen as the most useful way to share them.

The perception-reality gap 

For many, our survey showed that fear of rejection was a major factor holding researchers back from submitting to journals, along with low familiarity with journals that proactively accept this type of paper (like the Discover journals). Fear of negative consequences and low awareness of institutional or funder support are other factors.

There is a real gap here between perception and behaviour. Sharing null results is seen as highly beneficial, but researchers are not being incentivised to do so. Assessment reform can narrow these gaps.

Reforming research assessment is key to supporting null results 

The focus on traditional article or journal-level metrics is a key factor in the low sharing of null results in journals. When promotion, hiring and funding all reward high-impact positive advances, there is a lack of incentive to document or share foundational or incremental findings. Yet null results are essential in an inclusive and rigorous research culture. Broadening out evaluation criteria to consider null results is key to delivering open science, enabling all rigorous research, regardless of outcome, to be shared. 

A reform of research assessment could help to reward all rigorous work, including null results. Publishing these in peer-reviewed journals offers the most optimal way to globally share, evaluate, and reward these findings. 

What research assessments could recognise 

Open science practices advance rigorous, trustworthy science. If we continue to only recognise and reward novelty and citation, researchers will continue to deprioritise null results, even when they acknowledge the value in sharing them. A reform of research assessment could help to reward all rigorous work, including null results. Publishing these in peer-reviewed journals offers the most optimal way to globally share, evaluate, and reward these findings.  

For a deeper dive into the full analysis and recommendations, we invite you to read the white papers The State of Null Results and The State of Research Assessment. 

Related content:

• The state of null results: a new survey of researchers 
• The value of publishing null results 
• The role of metrics in research assessment

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Librarians are well placed to lead the way in promoting transparency and advancing robust research practices. Findings that are null, inconclusive or unexpected can be an essential step on the path to knowledge. Researchers benefit from sharing these outcomes, and institutions gain from supporting open and responsible reporting. Springer Nature’s new white paper, The state of null results (2025), reveals what researchers think, what influences their publishing decisions, and where libraries can make the biggest difference. This post distils key insights and turns them into practical actions you can take on your campus.

The value of null results in advancing research

One thing I try to emphasise in our Nature Masterclasses workshops is that null results aren’t bad results; bad results come from poor design, inappropriate methods or uncalibrated equipment. In other words, they are not valid, trustworthy or reproducible. As long as trained researchers are using the right study design with the appropriate techniques being done under the right conditions on calibrated equipment, all the results are good. Some will be positive, and others will be null, but they are all valid, trustworthy and reproducible.

Furthermore, null results reduce research waste. If researchers know that a certain experiment will not work because it has been shared, then they will not waste their time, money and resources attempting to do it. And if researchers know what doesn’t work, it can inspire new innovative approaches to address that problem, null results can stimulate new ideas and hypotheses.

Another important role for null results not discussed in the white paper is their value in systematic reviews. Systematic reviews, which are common in medicine and some disciplines in social sciences, aim to synthesise all the results related to a specific research question, for example, the efficacy of a new treatment for a disease. But if those conducting systematic reviews can only find positive results, because the null results are not shared, that can significantly skew the conclusion of the article and possibly have a negative impact on public health.

Because these are all core values in responsible research communication, it is not surprising that in Springer Nature’s global survey (11,000+ researchers across 166 countries), 53% reported generating null results and 98% recognised their value. Among those who published null results, common benefits included inspiring new hypotheses or methods, identifying methodological issues and preventing duplication.

However, there’s a clear intent–action gap: 85% believe sharing null results is important, but only 68% of those who generated them shared them in any form, and just 30% submitted to a journal. Experiences were largely positive (reported by 72% of those who published), though a minority (20%) faced negative consequences. These realities underscore why proactive library support can change behaviours and outcomes.

How librarians help overcome researcher hesitation

The white paper identifies four consistent barriers that limit the sharing of null results. Understanding these challenges can help librarians tailor support and outreach more effectively:

• Concerns about bias and reputational impact
• Uncertainty around where and how to submit
• Doubts about journal acceptance
• A broader lack of institutional support and incentives

Awareness is particularly low: only 15% of respondents knew of journals that actively encourage null-result submissions. These concerns are echoed by participants in our Nature Masterclasses workshops as well. Notably, willingness to publish null results is similar across career stages and fields, though it can vary by region. For example, while 75% of researchers in the UK were likely to share null results, this drops to 35% amongst researchers in China. These differences can be useful information when tailoring outreach.

Another concern for many researchers are the metrics that institutions use to evaluate research performance (either for hiring or promotions). As these metrics are often influenced more by positive results rather than null results in publications (in terms of citations), again researchers feel pressured to prioritize their positive results. As mentioned in a post on metrics literacy, while metrics can provide a quantitative evaluation, they miss the broader contribution to the field or society. Therefore, institutions may also consider using a qualitative approach in research assessment to evaluate this broader contribution (“prevention of research waste”, for example).

How librarians support transparent publishing

The barriers to publishing null results are clear, but so are the opportunities for librarians to make a difference. From language choices to publishing guidance, here are four practical ways to support researchers and promote more transparent research practices:

• Use inclusive language: We recommend that librarians adopt terminology like “null, negative or inconclusive results” to help normalize these outcomes and reduce stigma. Avoid framing them as ‘bad results’, instead highlight their value in reducing research waste, generating new hypotheses and improving reproducibility. In workshops and guidance materials, mirror this language and lead with benefits. Openly sharing such findings also helps build trust in the research community, which can foster new collaborative opportunities.
• Clarify publishing pathways: Many researchers are unsure where to submit their null findings. Librarians can help by curating a concise “venues & formats” resource that lists article types, such as Registered Reports, Data Notes and Methods/Protocol papers and journals that explicitly welcome null results. Sharing methods and protocols separately from full articles can be especially impactful. As highlighted in an article on open method sharing, one researcher noted that while their protocol was cited 200 times in academic literature, the same protocol shared on protocols.io has been accessed over 30,000 times.
• Demystify journal options: Springer Nature publishes inclusive journals that welcome all in-scope, technically sound research following rigorous peer review. These are ideal venues for null results and descriptive or data-centric studies. Examples include Scientific Reports, BMC Research Notes, the Discover series, and Cureus. Including these in librarian guidance can help researchers feel more confident about where to publish.
• Connect to research assessment reform: Researchers often worry that publishing null results won’t be recognized or rewarded. Librarians can use their channels to amplify conversations around responsible metrics and open science and point to institutional policies that support transparency. Currently, only 38% of researchers are aware of such support, whether in the form of guidelines, policies, or access to repositories, so signposting these resources can make a real difference.

Five ways librarians promote null result sharing

Librarians can play a key role in shifting researcher culture around null results. Whether through training, guidance or recognition, these activities help normalize transparency and make it easier for researchers to share all outcomes:

1. Run a seminar on the importance of null results: These can be institution-wide or targeted to departments with low sharing rates and should address common concerns researchers have.
2. Publish a short campus guide: Show where and how to submit null results, including suitable article types and inclusive journal options with librarian contact for advice.
3. Create a recognition pathway: If appropriate, map how null-result outputs can ‘count’ in internal evaluations or open science recognition.
4. Offer rapid “submission triage” clinics: 15-minute librarian consults to check journal fit, article type, data citation, and transparency statements.
5. Track and showcase impact: Curate local case studies where sharing null results improved methods, prevented duplication or sparked collaborations.

Shifting the culture around null results doesn’t happen overnight, but it starts with clear and practical steps. When librarians create space for open conversations, offer targeted support and make publishing pathways visible, they help embed transparency into the everyday rhythm of research. The insights from The state of null results: Insights from 11,000 researchers on negative or inconclusive results offer a strong foundation for this work. We thank the authors and all the researchers who contributed their perspectives to this important conversation.

Related content

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• The state of research assessment: Insights from a survey of 6,600+ researchers
• The impact of good science communication, and how organisations can support
• Empowering researchers: The role of libraries in promoting published research
• How librarians help researchers maximise their reach
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Palgrave Editors Beth Farrow and Clelia Petracca join host Milana Vernikova to discuss Palgrave’s Social Science Matters campaign    

Since its inception in 2015, Social Science Matters has grown into a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, global collaboration, and public engagement. As the campaign marks its 10th anniversary—and Palgrave celebrates 25 years—this interview retraces its evolution, from its roots in Palgrave’s mission to support critical, evidence-based research, to its role today in amplifying the voices of scholars tackling the world’s most urgent challenges. 

Looking back to the beginning of the Social Science Matters campaign and blog, what can you tell us about the original vision for the campaign and how it aligned with Palgrave’s broader mission at the time?

The Social Science Matters campaign was launched in 2015, alongside the publication of Why the Social Sciences Matter—a book produced in collaboration with the UK’s Academy of Social Sciences. The campaign was rooted in the belief that the social sciences are essential to understanding and addressing the world’s most complex challenges. From the outset, it deliberately sought to foster dialogue between and beyond social science disciplines, challenging the notion that the social sciences and STEM sciences are in opposition and highlighting how they are crucially dependent on one another.

How have global, social, and political shifts over the past decade shaped the trajectory of the campaign and the editorial vision within Palgrave?

Over the past decade, the campaign has evolved in response to major global shifts—from the rise of populism and the climate crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic and movements for racial and social justice. Social Science Matters has become a space where authors and editors engage with timely issues, connecting academic research with real-world challenges.   

The articles, talks, Q&As, and podcasts featured in the campaign not only reflect these broader changes but have, in some cases, actively informed our publishing strategy. Eleni Kakoullis and Kelley Johnson’s article advocating for inclusive research practices that centre the voices of people with intellectual disabilities highlights an approach that has directly shaped our new publishing efforts in this field. Other contributions have similarly inspired our editorial thinking, leading to the launch of dedicated book lists in gender studies, migration studies, science and technology studies, and disability studies—areas where scholarly momentum and insights from the campaign have driven our response.  

The campaign plays a key role in keeping our publishing rooted in the latest developments and concerns of research communities that we serve. Some timely recent examples include articles on educating in the age of misinformation, the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation for developing countries, and the impact of funding cuts to Tribal colleges.

The campaign aims to break down disciplinary and geographic silos and speak to the complex challenges societies face—what is an example of cross-collaboration fostered through Social Science Matters?

A key example of cross-collaboration fostered through Social Science Matters is its long-standing partnership with organisations such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Academy of Social Sciences, including their Campaign for Social Science. These collaborations have brought together researchers, policymakers, and institutions across disciplines and borders to spotlight the role of the social sciences in addressing global challenges—from inequality and climate change to public health and digital transformation.

Can you share any memorable milestones from the early days of the campaign that still resonate today?

One key milestone was our first event for the Festival of Social Science back in 2017. In collaboration with the Economic and Social Research Council we put together a panel and reception at the Royal Society in London hosted by BBC Radio presenter Laurie Taylor. This event helped establish Social Science Matters as a platform for public engagement and interdisciplinary exchange.  

Another foundational milestone was the author and reader survey conducted in the early stages of the campaign, which gathered insights from over 500 social scientists. This consultative approach—combined with feedback collected via postcards at conferences—helped shape the campaign’s direction. The survey revealed a strong appetite for interdisciplinary dialogue, a desire for greater visibility of social science research, and a need to better articulate the real-world impact of the field. These findings directly informed the campaign’s shift from asking why social science matters to showing how it does—through storytelling, impact case studies, and timely commentary.  

Since then, we’ve sought to expand the campaign’s international reach. Today, we’re proud that readers in India and Singapore are among the top five readers of the article hub, alongside the US, UK, and Australia—evidence of the campaign’s growing global resonance.  

A lasting example of this impact is the enduring popularity of a 2015 article by Gino d’Oca, then editor of Palgrave’s first open-access journal, Palgrave Communications. His piece remains one of the most-read on the platform and reflects the campaign’s role in surfacing emerging research trends. Gino’s progression to Editor-in-Chief of Humanities and Social Sciences Communications at Nature also highlights the importance of editorial leadership in building trusted scholarly communities.

What does the next decade and beyond of Social Science Matters look like? How can it continue to support and amplify transformative research?

As the social sciences face mounting political and institutional challenges, the next phase will focus on strengthening its role as a bridge between scholarship, policy, and public discourse. It will continue to champion interdisciplinary, inclusive, and policy-relevant research—while expanding its reach through new formats, international partnerships, and a focus on underrepresented voices and emerging fields. At a time when trust in science is in jeopardy, the campaign marks our ongoing commitment to rigorous research and acknowledges our role as a publisher in making evidence-based insights accessible to the wider public.   

The recent publication of Why the Social Sciences Matter: More than Ever is a defining moment in the campaign’s evolution. While the first edition responded to the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and the Arab Spring, the new edition reflects a dramatically changed world—one shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate breakdown, racial justice movements, and the rise of AI. It also features contributions from a new generation of scholars alongside established voices, signalling a broader, more globally engaged and future-facing vision for the social sciences.

As we reflect on 25 years of Palgrave and mark the publication of the new edition, we invite you to join the conversation by signing up for the 2025 Palgrave Annual Lecture series, a space that convenes thought leaders and emerging voices to share fresh perspectives on these issues and much more

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India is emerging as a key contributor in volume and quality to global research and publishing. In the second report of the Global Research Pulse series, we explore India’s maturing and increasingly influential research environment and offer insights to editors on how to better assess this research. Get a taste of what’s in the report, from research publication data to insights on how to identify research excellence.

The globalisation of research is accelerating. In Springer Nature’s Global Research Pulse series, we share insights and tools to support editors in this rapidly evolving and diverse landscape. The second report in the series focuses on India’s journey to attain high quality global research impact with a detailed assessment of sub-disciplinary research quality.  

It explores the strategic investments, institutional reforms, and international collaborations India has undertaken that have enabled it to achieve this status. To support editors in navigating India’s large and diverse research landscape, in the report we also share sources for identifying research excellence in India.  

This report on India joins the first report in the series which analyses China’s steady improvement in research quality and offers insights on effective engagement with it. We believe that it is best practice for academic publishing to reflect the evolving global research landscape, and aim to empower editors and publishers to engage with emerging and influential research systems across the globe. 

India’s growth in publication volume as well as quality and impact  

Research from India is the second-largest source of submissions to Springer Nature journals, and globally, India is the third-highest contributor to research. Looking at total article count, India is the second-fastest-growing nation, having increased its research output almost six-fold over the last decade and a half. 

In the report, we show that this growth is not limited to publication volume. The impact and quality of India’s research are steadily increasing, and India has strong representation in internationally respected journals. It is the third-highest contributor to the top 10% highly cited articles, and ranks among the top three nations for high-impact research in applied, physical, and life sciences. Indeed, nearly 70% of all articles are published in the top 50% of journals across all subject areas. 

Facilitating the growth of Indian research publications: Exploring strategies and policies 

India is emerging as a global research player, exhibiting growth in volume and quality of research output. In the report, we discuss the strategies and policies that facilitate this growth: 

• Investments into research and development (R&D) While India has been increasing its R&D spending over the past three decades, it remains low overall compared to the size of its economy. But its relatively low private sector involvement in this spending suggests that there is room for further quality growth as R&D expands. 
• Strengthening international collaboration International collaboration is increasing, with the highest number of papers co-authored with researchers from the United States, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdon, China, and South Korea, and are seen to be delivering impact.  
• Supporting higher education Higher education development strategies and policies encourage science and technology education, from school level and beyond, and support the higher education ecosystem long term. 
• National commitment to open access India's One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative provides Indian researchers access to academic publications and enables them to benefit from publishing their work open access. 
• Upholding research integrity A national focus on research excellence and policies aligned with international norms have meant that India’s significant growth in research volume has not been matched by major research integrity concerns. 

Navigating the Indian research landscape: How editors can identify research excellence  

With a large and diverse research landscape, identifying research excellence can be challenging to editors. In the report, we share sources that editors can use to identify research excellence across India, to support them in engaging with this important contributor to research.  

We introduce formal rankings and explain how they can be useful in comparing institutions internationally. Because institutions in India often have a disciplinary specialty, we cover also rankings for individual disciplines, as well as other publishing tools to explore institutions by specific disciplines.  

Empowering editors to promote diversity and quality 

Equipped with data and tools, editors and publishers can be a driving force in making the publishing landscape inclusive and representative of the communities it serves.  

In the second Global Research Pulse report, we show India’s growing and diverse research landscape, which contributes valuable research across disciplines. The information and insights we share in the report serve to empower editors to engage with it.  

By understanding the Indian research landscape and its growth, and knowing how to tap into quality research emerging from India, editors can diversify their content while maintaining high standards. This can encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange, which ultimately benefits the global research ecosystem. 

Read the full report Global Research Pulse: India to learn more about India’s research landscape and how you can best engage with it.

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Guest editing isn’t just about selecting papers—it’s about shaping conversations. At Springer Nature, our guest editors, help define the scope, invite relevant contributors, and promote collection content across their networks. Yet their work often happens behind the scenes.

We want to change that. In our new video series, we pull back the curtain to showcase guest editor voices, stories, and the value they bring—not just to the collection, but to the wider research community.

In the first episode, two early career researchers and guest editors, Carlton J. Fong and Christopher S. Rozek, share the story behind their collection—from the initial spark of an idea to the challenges they overcame, and the impact their collection will have on the field.

Whether you're an author, a potential guest editor, or simply curious about how article collections are made, this series is for you.

In this video interview, Fong and Rozek reflect on the highs and the hurdles they experienced when curating their collection: Perspectives on Current and Future Directions in School Belonging Research, from the hybrid Springer journal, Educational Psychology Review.

Curating collections that advance scholarship and nurture a sense of community

Both guest editors, Fong and Rozek, are early career researchers. Fong is an Associate Professor at the College of Education at Texas State University, while Rozek serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Washington University in St. Louis.

Motivated by a bold and inclusive vision, Fong and Rozek set out to create a welcoming hub where diverse voices and ideas on school belonging could converge. Their commitment to this field—which explores how students experience acceptance, respect, inclusion, and support—demonstrates the powerful role guest editors and contributors can play in shaping the future of educational research.

By prioritizing collaboration and inclusivity, they have developed a resource that not only advances academic scholarship but also nurtures a sense of community among researchers and educators.

Their pioneering collection brings together fresh research on school belonging across educational stages, from primary to post-secondary. It draws on insights from educational, developmental, and cultural psychology, as well as other disciplines.

Through this rich tapestry of perspectives, Fong and Rozek have created a truly inclusive resource—one that deepens understanding in the field and encourages others to innovate and collaborate across boundaries.

What you’ll learn from the video interview

In this first episode, our guest editors reflect on:

• The aims and scope of their collection and why the topic is timely
• The challenges they faced launching their collection
• How they developed the theme and curated contributions
• What they enjoy most about being a guest editor
• Their insights offer a rare glimpse into the editorial journey and show just how much care and expertise goes into every collection we publish

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Ready to explore more? Visit our new Springer Nature collections hub to learn more and discover how you can get involved.

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A post on The Source explored how surveys help us understand researchers, their publishing habits, communication preferences and the challenges they face in sharing their work. These insights are vital, but they only tell one side of the story. The other side belongs to the people who make research possible: librarians, faculty, research office staff and R&D professionals. These roles are deeply embedded in the research process, yet their perspectives are often less visible. When we talk about understanding the research community, we need to include not just those who produce research, but also those who enable it.

Listening to the people behind the research

The roles of librarians, research managers and R&D professionals continue to expand in scope and impact. These are no longer roles defined solely by access or administration; they are central to shaping research strategy, advocating for open science and building partnerships across disciplines and sectors.

Each of these roles brings a distinct perspective to the research ecosystem. And each offers valuable insight into how research is supported, communicated and applied. When we invite you to participate in surveys, we’re opening a dialogue, one that helps us understand how our tools and services fit into your workflows and how they can evolve to meet your needs.

How survey feedback improves research support tools

Taking part in our surveys may seem like a small action, but the impact is far-reaching. Participating in a survey helps us understand how our services are used in practice, where they can improve and how they can better support your organization’s goals. The feedback we receive from librarians, research offices and R&D teams has already led to meaningful developments across our services. For example:

• Nature Masterclasses has evolved into a more flexible, scalable training resource, thanks to community input now available through on-demand modules that fit seamlessly into researcher development programmes.
• Research Data Services have been enhanced to better support data sharing, citation, and preservation, aligning with both institutional policies and day-to-day research practices.
• Licensing and usage dashboards now offer clearer insights, helping libraries demonstrate the value of their collections and communicate impact to stakeholders more effectively.
• Corporate access models have been tailored to meet the needs of applied research teams working across diverse sectors.
• Open access workflows are becoming more transparent and easier to navigate, following feedback given by research offices around APC processes.

These examples reflect the value of ongoing dialogue. And it also gives you a voice, an opportunity to advocate for your team, your researchers and your broader community.

Community perspectives powering research strategy

The insights we gather through surveys do more than shape individual tools, they also help us understand how the research landscape is evolving. By analyzing responses from across the global research community, we identify patterns, priorities and opportunities that inform strategic thinking and spark new conversations. These findings are shared through our white papers and reports, offering a broader view of how research is supported, assessed and shared. For example:

• The State of Research Assessment report shows how institutions are embracing holistic evaluation practices, guided by the experiences of researchers and research managers.
• The State of Open Data highlights the growing momentum behind data sharing, with librarians and research offices actively enabling this cultural shift.
• Global Perspectives on Research Management report reflects the increasing influence of research supporting professionals in shaping institutional strategy.
• Leadership in the Library celebrates the innovative role librarians play in driving collaboration and advancing research ecosystems.
• From Research to Patent and Back Again white paper demonstrates how industry teams are connected with academic content to accelerate innovation.

Each publication is rooted in community input, ensuring that the voices of those who support research are part of the larger conversation.

Building better research support through community feedback

To continue this dialogue, we invite you to join our online insight panel a space for those who support research to share their experiences, ideas and perspectives. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in occasional surveys, feedback sessions and early-stage testing of new resources. Your contributions will help ensure that future developments reflect the realities of your work and the communities you serve. Whether you’re advising researchers, managing institutional strategy or driving innovation in industry, your voice helps strengthen the research ecosystem.

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Open Access Week is a chance to ask a simple but powerful question: who gets to own, access, and benefit from knowledge? At Springer Nature, we believe the answer should be: everyone. In this blog, we will explore the impact of open access and Springer Nature’s commitment to making research more equitable.

Why open access matters

Open access (OA) isn’t just about removing paywalls. It’s about removing barriers to discovery, to collaboration, and to progress. When research is freely available, it reaches educators, clinicians, policymakers, and communities and helps solve problems faster and more efficiently.

That’s why Springer Nature supports gold OA—where articles are immediately and permanently accessible. It’s the most complete and sustainable way to make open science a reality, and it’s how we ensure that research reaches the people who need it most.

By allowing knowledge to flow freely and widely, OA helps level the playing field, removing steep barriers faced by researchers in low and middle-income countries, independent scholars, and practitioners outside academia.

Leading the transition to open science

Springer Nature has been publishing OA for over 20 years. Today, we offer OA options across all our journals and disciplines, enabling researchers everywhere to share their work openly.

This year, we’re marking two major milestones:

• 25 years of BMC
  • Our pioneering OA imprint, first established in 1999 as BioMed Central. 
• 10 years of transformative agreements (TAs)
  • We established the first TA with VSNU in 2015. Today, we have 80+ TAs globally, supporting researchers from over 3,700 institutions to publish OA with fees covered.

What transformative agreements make possible

Transformative agreements are reshaping the publishing landscape by enabling researchers to publish OA at scale. These agreements are driving OA uptake across regions and disciplines, delivering tangible benefits to authors. More than just funding mechanisms, they empower choice, reduce barriers, and make OA the default option. They also reflect a broader commitment to transparency and accountability in supporting the research community, both now and in the future.

Dr Ruiz Serrano, whose research was published OA under the Hong Kong JULAC TA, shared:

“OA amplifies the reach and influence of my work, reaching scholars, practitioners, and policymakers who might otherwise face financial barriers to accessing critical information.”

At Hospices Civils de Lyon in France, researchers are using OA to improve public health outcomes.

“With gold OA, our results may gain greater visibility, allowing others to discuss, criticise, reproduce, or comment on our data.”

These stories show how OA isn’t just a publishing model—it makes a tangible difference to the world we live in. It’s helping researchers connect with audiences they might never have reached otherwise, accelerating the pace of knowledge-sharing across borders.

The impact of transformative agreements is clear—OA uptake is accelerating across regions and disciplines. Here’s a snapshot of how we at Springer Nature are helping drive this global transition:

• In countries/regions where new national TAs went live in 2024, such as Hong Kong, Israel and Romania, OA uptake reached at least 50% in the first year. This represents at least a 7x increase in OA uptake.
• Established agreements continue to see strong growth of OA share into the second year of their TAs with uptake increasing by at least 15% for countries such as Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia and South Africa.
• Long-standing TAs in Norway, Switzerland and Finland saw around 90% OA uptake across all disciplines in 2024.
• The US also saw strong growth with OA uptake reaching 29% in 2024.

A commitment to equity

Springer Nature’s commitment to OA is rooted in our values: Partnership, Integrity, Drive and Responsibility. We believe that everyone should benefit from the OA transition—and that means ensuring it’s fair and equitable.

Our work to enable OA for all is part of a broader mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in scholarly publishing. We’re focused on removing barriers, supporting underrepresented voices, and building systems that serve the whole research community.

Equity in OA also means recognising the different needs of researchers. Whether it’s navigating article processing charges (APCs), understanding licensing options, or accessing publishing support, we’re working to make the OA journey more transparent and more inclusive.

OA is also part of a broader shift toward open science—a movement that includes open data, open peer review, and open collaboration. These changes are reshaping how research is done, shared, and used, and they’re helping build a more transparent and trustworthy research ecosystem.

OA’s global impact

One of the most powerful aspects of OA is its ability to support researchers and communities in places where access to subscription-based journals is limited or non-existent. In many parts of the world, OA is not just a preference, it’s a necessity.

By making research freely available, OA helps bridge gaps and supports evidence-based decision-making in healthcare, education, and policy. It empowers local researchers to contribute to global conversations and ensures that solutions are informed by diverse perspectives.

Springer Nature’s OA publishing model is designed to be inclusive and ensures that knowledge is not locked behind paywalls.

Looking ahead

The theme of OA Week 2025—Who Owns Our Knowledge? invites us to think critically about access, ownership, and equity. At Springer Nature, we believe that knowledge should be shared, which in turn drives progress.

We’re proud to be part of this transition, and we’re committed to making it work for everyone. That means continuing to invest in OA infrastructure, listening to our authors, and collaborating with institutions and funders to build a more open and equitable publishing ecosystem.

Learn more

Curious about how OA works and how to navigate APCs? Explore our open access APC guide to learn more.

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As healthcare needs grow and evolve, Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) are stepping up in big ways*, taking on leadership roles, shaping policy and improving care across the board. To support this shift, Springer Nature has created a Nursing eBook collection that’s tailored to today’s education and practice needs. It’s a focused resource that helps nursing schools and libraries offer content that’s relevant, high-level, and ready to empower the next generation of nurse leaders.

For the past nine years, Springer Nature has partnered with leading organizations such as the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the European Specialist Nurses Organisation and other nursing societies. To meet the needs of nursing students and educators, we are offering a focused and relevant nursing collection without the overflow from general medical material. As such the new Nursing eBook collection will support academic institutions and nursing schools with master level curricula tailored to the evolving needs of the profession. We spoke to executive editor Nathalie L’horset-Poulain and editor Marie Come-Garry about the highlights of this collection.

“The new nursing collection doesn’t just inform nurses; it aims at empowering them.  It equips nurses to lead, innovate and advocate in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape” 

- Nathalie L’horset-Poulain, Executive Editor for eBooks, clinical medicine, Europe at Springer Nature.

How has nursing education changed over the years?

Nursing education has undergone a big transformation over the years, evolving from a focus on bedside care and basic clinical skills to a high level and interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares nurses to lead in complex healthcare environments. This includes clinical judgment & decision-making (training nurses to assess, diagnose, and intervene), simulation-based learning, telehealth & digital health (nurses learn to conduct virtual consultations), social determinants of health (understanding how socioeconomic, cultural and environmental factors affect patient outcomes).

“Interprofessional Collaboration Education” now includes working closely with physicians to deliver team-based care. Health Equity Programs also teach nurses to recognize and address disparities in care, especially in underserved populations.

Importantly, “Leadership & Policy Advocacy Nurses” are a key new trend. Nurses are trained to influence healthcare policy, lead quality improvement initiatives and manage teams. With AI and digital health, nurses are learning to interpret data and engage with AI tools in clinical settings.

What topics are covered in Springer Nature’s Nursing eBook collection?

The Nursing eBook collection launches with a curated selection of 25 titles, with plans to expand overtime. At the heart of the collection is the Advanced Practice Nursing Series, developed in alignment with strategies from the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This series supports global efforts to strengthen nursing education, workforce development, leadership and service delivery, helping nurses contribute meaningfully to universal health coverage and broader public health goals.

The collection focuses on both foundational and emerging areas in nursing education and practice, including:

The Nursing eBook collection offers libraries and educators a forward-looking foundation to support the next generation of nurse leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today’s complex healthcare environments.

Are there any known players in the field that will contribute to this collection?

The Nursing eBook collection features contributions from globally recognized leaders in nursing education, policy, and practice, bringing deep expertise and real-world impact to its content.

• Madrean Schober is a nurse practitioner, educator and international consultant whose work has shaped advanced practice nursing roles in over 20 countries. Her expertise in healthcare policy, curriculum design, and program development has been instrumental in supporting global nursing initiatives. As a leader in the ICN NP/APN Network and contributor to WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, she brings a strong global perspective. Schober is also the lead author of the ICN Guidelines on Advanced Practice Nursing and recipient of the FAANP’s Loretta C. Ford Award for advancing the NP role.
• Susan Hassmiller, Senior Adviser for Nursing at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has held influential roles including Senior Scholar-in-Residence at the National Academy of Medicine and adviser to President Obama. A fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and holder of its Living Legend status, Hassmiller’s work spans nursing leadership, disaster recovery, and health equity. Her recognition includes the International Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest honor awarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
• Brendan McCormack, Head of The Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery & Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney, is a leading voice in person-centered care and nursing research. With over 520 publications and an h-index of 65, his work has been widely cited and recognized globally. McCormack was ranked among the world’s top 3,000 researchers by Thomson Reuters and named one of We Nurses’ #100 Outstanding Nurses.

Helping libraries & educators lead the way in nursing

As roles expand and expectations rise, educators and librarians need tools that reflect the complexity and leadership potential of today’s nursing professionals. With expert voices shaping its content and a curriculum aligned to global healthcare priorities, the Nursing eBook collection is a response to the evolving demands of nursing education. It brings together high-level content designed to reflect the complexity and diversity of today’s nursing roles, helping institutions prepare professionals who are ready to lead, innovate and advocate in modern healthcare environments.

Explore Springer Nature’s Nursing eBook collection. Interested in adding dedicated nursing content to your library? Contact us for more information.

_{^{* According to ICN, due to existing nursing shortages, the ageing of the nursing workforce and the growing COVID-19 effect, ICN estimates up to 13 million of nurses will be needed to fill the global nurse shortage gap in the future.}}

Related content:

• More information about The Medicine eBook collection
• Co-creation, Convincing Evidence and Avoiding ‘Pilotitis’: Insights on the Applications of AI in Heart Failure
• Mental Health Nursing, SDG 3 and Social Impact

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This article was originally published in 2024 and was updated in October 2025.

How can research make a meaningful contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research, especially when published open access, is crucial to achieving the SDGs. This is the kind of research published in Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Series.

The global community aims to meet the SDGs by 2030, but there are concerns that this will not be achievable. The 17 global objectives address the most critical challenges facing humanity, including poverty, health, inequality, climate change, and more. Research is essential for the SDGs, for understanding the issues, addressing them, and evaluating solutions. Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Series comprehensively brings together interdisciplinary research across all 17 SDGs.

Why is interdisciplinarity important to tackling the SDGs?

The SDGs are not theoretical contemplations; They are real-world issues, and as such, they do not neatly fall into disciplinary compartments with clear boundaries. The complexity of the issues represented in the SDGs and their interconnectedness mean that no one discipline or profession can effectively tackle them. 

Interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity are essential in the efforts to address sustainable development and achieve the SDGs. Developing effective solutions to climate change, resilience and adaptation to natural hazards and disasters, energy and food security, and many more, require a holistic approach. 

Scientific, technical, and engineering expertise can only go so far, and must be integrated with social, psychological, and political perspectives to understand implementation and human reactions and behaviour. This integration of social, natural, and physical sciences will produce viable, long-term solutions. 

Publishing in the Sustainable Development Goals Series is an ideal fit for my research due to its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. The interconnected nature of the SDGs necessitates insights from various disciplines, which this series expertly integrates, fostering a holistic understanding and innovative solutions.
Rana Nabil Geith, co-editor of The Role of Design, Construction, and Real Estate in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals

Making SDG research impactful: Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Book Series 

Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Series has developed into the most comprehensive research library on the SDGs. The inherently transdisciplinary nature of the SDGs is well reflected in the series, with its broad remit and contributions welcome from scientists, academics, policymakers, and researchers working in fields related to any of the goals.

To handle the interconnectedness and complexity of the SDGs, the series publishes both STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and HSS (humanities and social sciences) research, across the Springer and Palgrave Macmillan imprints. The complementary focus of the imprints ensures comprehensive coverage across all 17 SDGs. 

Publishing your work in the SDG Book Series means that it will enjoy an exceptionally broad reach to readership interested in the SDGs, well beyond your own discipline. Your work’s contextualisation alongside SDG-related research increases its credibility and impact. The overall, shared intent to present policy-relevant research and achieve real-world impact, in addition to academic excellence, fosters engagement in relevant discourses.

Publishing in the Sustainable Development Goals Book Series meant that our analysis was not only closely fitting with the series, but also reached a very wide academic and practitioner audience, who are also interested in the SDGs, and more broadly in research with a positive impact on society.
Sotiria Grek, co-author of Governing the Sustainable Development Goals: Quantification in Global Public Policy

What are some other unique benefits of publishing your SDG research in the Sustainable Development Goals Book Series?

• Escape the disciplinary silo: When published in the series, your work will be exposed to readers outside your discipline and its immediate periphery. It could reach a broader readership with an interest in the SDGs, that would not likely explore your work if not published under the series.  
• Indexed in Scopus database: The series has been accepted for indexing in Scopus, which means enhanced visibility and credibility for your work when published in the series, and a boost to your academic profile. 
• Distinct visual identity: Series books are printed in a large format with double columns on high-quality paper. This distinct visual identity increases the visibility and recognition of the series, and naturally reflects also on your own work as a part of it.

We chose to publish Global Health Essentials with Springer Nature as part of the SDG Book Series to align our work with the global commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By joining the SDG Book Series, we aim to amplify the importance of global health equity and sustainability.
Mario Raviglione and Fabrizio Tediosi, co-editors of Global Health Essentials

The SDG framework provides a comprehensive approach with clear goals and targets to address a wide range of global challenges in the short and long term. Aligning and publishing our research within the SDG framework provides more visibility and recognition of key topics, helps to reach a broader audience with the potential to influence policy and create collaborations.
Natasha Tang Kai & Larry Swatuk, Authors of Prioritizing the Environment in Urban Sustainability Planning: Policies and Practices of Canadian Cities

For maximum impact, open access makes the difference

You can choose to publish your book open access (OA) in the Sustainable Development Goals Book Series. In fact, 10% of titles in the series have been published OA, with growing interest in this format specifically for this series. And this makes perfect sense because OA books are a format made for SDG research. 

The nature of the SDGs necessitates a holistic, interdisciplinary approach, but it also implies that knowledge should be made available, without discrimination, to as many people as possible. This means publishing OA. 

OA books have 2.4 times more citations, 10 times more downloads, and 10 times more online mentions than non-OA books on average. These increased impact and visibility foster global collaboration and engagement on issues relating to the SDGs.

When research on the SDGs is published OA, it promotes equity, as research outputs are available to all. It is not surprising that OA books have a more geographically diverse readership: They reach on average a whopping 61% more countries than non-OA books, most of which are underrepresented in global scholarship.

The Sustainable Development Goals Book Series provided an excellent space to publish our edited book. It aligns perfectly with the framework of the series, which is organised around the SDGs. The series also permitted our contributing authors to be sure that their work would be well-accessed by a large audience interested in the SDGs.
Sherif Goubran, co-editor of The Role of Design, Construction, and Real Estate in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals

Looking to 2030 and beyond: Research with impact

With impactful and timely contributions from many authors across (and between) many disciplines, and a strong commitment to supporting the SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals Series has grown at an exponential rate. From publishing two books in 2018, it has now reached over 200 volumes form both the Springer and Palgrave Macmillan imprints.

I was keen to publish my book as part of this series because it aligns with my aims as an author: informing effective policies, guiding future research, and supporting educators, ultimately fostering a more informed and proactive approach to addressing the pressing issues of our time.
R. Sooryamoorthy, author of Independent Africa, Dependent Science: Scientific Research in Africa

The series offers authors a fantastic platform to publish work that is aligned with the SDGs from two (!) imprints. And indeed, working on this cross-imprint series with different colleagues from these imprints and across Springer Nature, and seeing it flourish in a fairly short space of time, has been very rewarding and a huge achievement. The success of this series has also led to the launch of a German-language SDG Series, which really serves to cement our commitment to publishing research with impact. 

The deadline to achieving the SDGs, 2030, is a few years away, but there remains much ground to cover across the Sustainable Development Goals Book Series. If we are to realise the aims of the SDGs, this will require more solutions-oriented, interdisciplinary research capable of bridging traditional divides between disciplines, combining research excellence with impact. You’ll find this research in Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Series. Might your work be another building block in this important project?

Discover the broad range of books published in the Sustainable Development Goals Series, and learn how you can publish your work here as well. And for more on the SDGs, visit Springer Nature’s SDG Programme. 

Writing your SDG research in German? Explore Springer Nature’s German-language sister series, titled SDG – Forschung, Konzepte, Lösungsansätze zur Nachhaltigkeit.

Related content: 

• Open access books: Making SDG research impactful 
• Publishing a Book: Understanding the Options 
• Publish OA, support the SDGs: Make your research impactful 
• Bringing SDG research to the forefront: A look at the Research Communities

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This article was originally published in 2024 and was updated in October 2025.

To support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), research is needed on the root causes of the challenges, interventions to address them, and measuring progress. Partnering with a publisher that is committed to sustainability and dedicated to amplifying SDG research will boost your work’s real-world impact. Read on to find out more, including firsthand accounts from authors and editors who published their SDG research as an OA book with Springer Nature.

At Springer Nature we are committed to sustainability both in our business strategy and in the content we publish. Having worked in various editorial roles over the past two decades, books are particularly close to my heart, and it is exciting to see how they have evolved over the years. What role then do books play in our commitment to the SDGs?

The SDGs: A global framework for sustainability

Established by the United Nations in 2015, the SDGs are a set of 17 interconnected and interdependent objectives that address the most pressing challenges of our time, specifying targets and indicators for their achievement by 2030. Each of the Goals focuses on different aspects relating to sustainable development, spanning social, economic, and environmental dimensions, from poverty and hunger, though health, education, and gender equality, to clean water, affordable energy, and peace. 

2023 marked the halfway point to the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs. Unfortunately, the world is not nearly on track to meeting the targets of the SDGs by 2030. But this does not mean that we should halt our efforts to advance and promote the SDGs. If anything, we should double our engagement!

Asserting our commitment to supporting the SDGs

Springer Nature continues to support the SDGs as a framework that fosters collaboration and enables alignment of efforts by governments, organisations, researchers, and communities across the globe. 

Our greatest contribution to supporting the SDGs is the research we publish. Research structures our understanding of the SDGs; it establishes the measurements to evaluate them; it informs policies and practices that address them. We continuously develop diverse publication routes for SDG research (in journals, books, and collections), which is showcased in our SDG Programme. 

Since 2015, Springer Nature’s SDG-related content has been cited more than 17 million times, and in 2024 alone, we registered 530 million downloads of our SDG-related articles. When this research is open, it can reach wider audience and make a greater impact towards the SDGs.  

John A. Burt, editor of the 2024 OA book A Natural History of the Emirates, explains how the accessibility of the OA publishing format impacts engagement and how essential this is for the SDGs: "In just a year, our open access publication has garnered over 400,000 accesses. This not only increases public engagement, but supports wider recognition of the importance of international SDGs at local scales."

Open access for maximum visibility 

What’s better than publishing on the SDGs? Publishing OA on the SDGs!

I believe that books are a medium made for the SDGs. They contribute to effectively addressing the SDGs, and even more so if they are published OA.

Publishing OA removes barriers to knowledge transfer and promotes equity in the dissemination of information. It creates a more inclusive and sustainable research environment where research outputs are easily available to all.

OA books have 2.4 times more citations, 10 times more downloads, and 10 times more online mentions than non-OA books on average. Importantly, we have found that our OA books also have a more geographically diverse readership, reaching on average 61% more countries than non-OA books, most of which are underrepresented in global scholarship.

Reproduced from the infographic summary of the White Paper Diversifying Readership Through Open Access: A Usage Analysis for OA Books.

Wider reach and impact are particularly important for SDG research because accessibility is key to fostering and sustaining global collaboration and discourse. That’s why publishing OA is central to our commitment to the SDGs.

Patricia Solis, PhD is co-editor of the multi-disciplinary book Open Mapping towards Sustainable Development Goals. She has seen firsthand how OA enables access for those who otherwise wouldn’t have it: “Some of my 62 co-authors of the edited book would not even have been able to afford purchasing their own contributions were it not for open access. And with more than a quarter million downloads in less than 18 months, it is very validating to know that the world is listening.”

Books: Creating impact on sustainable development  

I believe that books are a medium made for the SDGs. They contribute to effectively addressing the SDGs, and even more so if they are published OA. 

William J. Nuttall, is the editor of two books that were published OA in 2025: Insights into the New Hydrogen Economy and Perspectives on Engineering Uncertainty. He explains the value of making books available to all: “Researchers and students in all countries rightly want to know more about current issues and opportunities in energy technology and policy. Open access publishing gives readers everywhere access to the latest ideas and insights.  As digital communication expands, so does the global reach of the open access approach. I am pleased to have been a small part of the move towards open access scholarly book publishing.” 

Books enable the in-depth investigations required to understand the intricacy and interconnectedness of complex issues. Their scope allows bringing together theoretical frameworks with extensive research and case study analyses and weaving them into a cohesive resource. 

Books can become authoritative resources for researchers, practitioners, policy makers, educators, and anyone who is working towards sustainable development. They inform strategies and shape interventions towards the SDG targets. 

Alessandro Pelizzon published his OA book Ecological Jurisprudence: The Law of Nature and the Nature of Law in 2025, with the clear intention of making it available to anyone to use: "I wanted to offer the scholarly and activist communities something they could use both in their theory and their practice... I felt it was imperative that all scholars and activists located in more economically disadvantaged areas could access the book, at least digitally, without having to pay what would be a significant amount of money for them." 

Publishing across the SDGs: Comprehensive and interdisciplinary

Each of the SDGs has technical and material as well as social, cultural, and ethical dimensions. That’s why we at Springer Nature publish SDG research across the full disciplinary range of STM (science, technology, and medicine) and HSS (humanities and social sciences). 

We have both the possibility and the responsibility to publish on sustainability across – and between – all disciplines, covering the multifaceted nature of sustainable development. Solving problems like climate change, hunger, inequality, and injustice requires a good mix of STM and HSS. 

Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals Series is indexed in Scopus and brings together the strengths of our imprints with different disciplinary emphases. The series’ publishing editors, Rachael Ballard of Palgrave Macmillan and Zach Romano of Springer, note that developing a cross-imprint series addresses the SDGs more effectively “by bridging the gap between the natural and social sciences. With increased discoverability, there is the added benefit of exposing academics and practitioners to content they might not have encountered if they remained in their disciplinary silos. The complementary focus of the imprints ensures comprehensive coverage across the 17 SDGs.” 

At Springer Nature, we want to provide a home for impactful SDG-related knowledge. And when it is an OA book, research can be discovered, shared, used, and reused, and it can make a positive difference for people and the planet. 

See what book authors and editors are saying about publishing open access and learn more about publishing your SDG research as an open access book with Springer Nature for maximum impact.

Related Content:

• Navigating open access book publishing with the OAPEN Toolkit 
• Publish OA, support the SDGs: Make your research impactful 
• Publishing a Book: Understanding the Options 
• Bringing SDG research to the forefront: A look at the Research Communities 

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You’ve spent months designing and conducting your research. The results come in, and they don’t support your hypothesis. Now what? In a scholarly landscape that often celebrates only “positive” findings, it’s easy to feel disheartened. But here’s the truth: null, negative, and inconclusive results are essential steps in the scientific process.

At Discover, we believe that every valid result deserves to be shared, and we’re committed to making that possible. In our new infographic we distil insights from the recent survey, and the top five benefits they experienced after sharing their null results. We also highlight how Discover are leading the way in inclusive publishing by welcoming all valid research, regardless of outcome.

Based on findings from The State of Null Results white paper from Springer Nature, our infographic is designed to help researchers understand the real-world benefits of sharing all outcomes, not just the positive ones.

The problem: Null results still go unpublished

Despite the growing recognition of their importance, null results remain underreported. In Springer Nature’s global survey of over 11,000 researchers, 98% of respondents acknowledged the value of sharing null results — yet many still hesitate to publish them. Why?
The reasons are complex. Some researchers fear rejection from journals; others worry about reputational damage or lack of recognition. Early-career researchers, in particular, face pressure to publish only “impactful” findings, which are often equated with positive results. This bias not only distorts the scientific record but also contributes to research waste, as others unknowingly repeat experiments that have already been conducted.

The solution: Share all outcomes, especially the null ones

Publishing null results is about contributing to a more complete, transparent, and reproducible scientific record. When researchers share all outcomes, they:

• Prevent duplication of effort by helping others avoid unproductive paths.
• Stimulate new research by challenging assumptions and inspiring fresh hypotheses.
• Improve research quality by encouraging more rigorous methods and critical thinking.
• Build trust in science by showing that integrity matters as much as discovery.

“All valid research has a contribution to make – you never know what insight each article might lead to later down the line. We want to help provide the most robust scientific record possible.”

- Dylan Parker, Publishing Director, Discover Journals at Springer Nature

The top five benefits of publishing null results

As our infographic shows, researchers who have published null results report a range of personal and professional benefits. The top five reported benefits were as follows:

1. Contributing to scientific transparency
2. Stimulating new research questions
3. Supporting open science practices
4. Enhancing personal credibility
5. Receiving constructive peer feedback

Read the infographic to uncover more insights on publishing null results with Discover.

Why publish null, negative, or inconclusive results with Discover?

Born with community needs in mind, we are outspoken about the importance of publishing null results. A family of inclusive, open access (OA) journals, we don’t just tolerate the existence of null, inconclusive, and negative results in research, we explicitly fight for their inclusion. 
Explore our infographic to see the top four reasons to publish negative results with Discover.

Let’s normalise null results

The scientific process is iterative. It’s built on trial, error, and refinement. By publishing all outcomes, including those that don’t confirm our hypotheses, we create a more honest, efficient, and inclusive research culture. Our new infographic is a visual reminder of this message. It captures the top five benefits of publishing null results, based on real experiences from researchers around the world. 

Ready to share your findings?

If you’ve ever hesitated to publish a null result, now’s the time to reconsider. Discover offer a welcoming home for your research, whatever the outcome. By contributing to a more open and reliable scientific record, you’re not just advancing your own work. You’re helping to build a better future for research.

We invite you to download the infographic and share with your network, or if you’re ready to start your Discover journey, explore all of our journals.

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• The value of null results: How Discover champions inclusive science | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• Infographic: The value of publishing null results | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• The state of null results: a new survey of researchers | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• Discover journals: Open access funding options for our authors | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• More than just a number: How new impact factors help Discover authors | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• Discover collections: An effective approach for enhancing article impact | For Researchers | Springer Nature
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Open science is all about making research more transparent and accessible, but one key piece is often missing: the methods behind the work. While open access (OA) and data sharing are now widely embraced, detailed protocols still tend to stay behind closed doors. In the webinar, Transforming Research: The Benefits of Methods Sharing in Open Science, speakers from across the research community shared how platforms like protocols.io are helping change that. This blog pulls together the main takeaways, showing how open method sharing can boost reproducibility, spark collaboration and make research more impactful.

OA is now standard in many regions and open data continues to gain momentum. But for research to be truly open, sharing detailed methods is essential. As Beth Montague-Hellen, Head of Library and Information Services at The Francis Crick Institute, put it: "If you share your data but nobody can really see how you created that data, is that really open? Is that really usable by people?" Her question gets to the heart of reproducibility and trust in science. When methods are condensed into brief sections in publications, important details can be lost, slowing down progress and making it harder for others to replicate the work.

Digital tools that drive reproducibility and collaboration

Beth Montague-Hellen’s call for transparency highlights a growing need across the research community: making methods openly available and usable. Jacob Corn, Professor of Genome Biology at ETH Zürich, offered a compelling example of how digital tools are helping meet that need. In the fast-moving field of CRISPR-Cas genome editing, his lab has published protocols that have been accessed tens of thousands of times, one over 33,000 times, another close to 30,000. This level of engagement highlights a key challenge: how to share complex, reproducible methods efficiently with a global research community.

Traditional papers often outline methods in broad strokes, which can make replication difficult, especially when interest scales. Answering individual requests becomes unsustainable. That’s where protocols.io offers a solution. By uploading detailed, step-by-step protocols, Corn’s team shares their methods transparently and at scale. Some protocols have gone through up to 17 versions, reflecting ongoing improvements. With features like versioning and forking, researchers can trace changes, adopt updates, and tailor protocols to their own systems, supporting reproducibility, innovation and collaboration across labs.

Corn also shared a compelling comparison: while one of his protocols was cited around 200 times in academic literature, the same protocol on protocols.io had been accessed over 30,000 times. This contrast reveals a broader kind of impact, one that goes beyond citations and reflects real-world use. And that visibility has practical value. 

For researchers applying for grants or fellowships, linking to a well-documented, widely used protocol with a DOI can strengthen their case. As Corn explained, “Scientists like to know and like to understand how people are interfacing with their work. And ideally, when what they’re doing has impact…” protocols.io makes that impact visible, helping researchers see how their work is being picked up, adapted and applied. Corn emphasized the dual benefit of the platform: it streamlines communication for protocol authors and empowers users. His team regularly draws on public protocols and uses the platform to manage private ones internally. The ability to track, adapt and stay current makes protocols.io an essential tool in modern research.

Open method sharing builds trust and impact

This kind of visibility and usability, where methods are actively shared, used and adapted, signals a broader evolution in research practice. It reflects a growing commitment to openness, where transparency becomes a catalyst for collaboration and impact. The webinar speakers expanded on this idea, emphasizing that open method sharing is not just a technical enhancement, it’s a foundation for building trust, credibility and meaningful scientific progress.

Montague-Hellen observed: “If we want people to trust us, if we want people to trust our science, if we want people to build on our science... sharing your methods is the same as all these other bits of open research, in that it opens it all up. It makes it transparent; it makes it reusable.” Her point reinforces the idea that open methods are central to reproducibility and trust.

Emma Ganley, Director Strategic Initiatives at protocols.io, added: “The purpose of research is to find knowledge and advance knowledge, and that knowledge will only be believed if you can actually support it with evidence.” This highlights how detailed protocols strengthen the credibility and usability of research outputs.

What protocols.io brings to open science

As the webinar highlighted, platforms like protocols.io are transforming how research methods are shared, credited and reused. Protocols.io offers a dual-purpose solution:

1. A collaborative workspace for teams to privately develop and refine protocols, and
2. An open repository of over 23,000 public protocols available under CC-BY licensing

This approach to “modular publishing” recognizes that research outputs go beyond traditional papers. By assigning DOIs to protocols, protocols.io enables proper citation and visibility for method development, often giving well-deserved credit to technicians and junior researchers whose contributions are essential but frequently overlooked.

Importantly, the platform also supports broader efforts to recognize the full spectrum of research contributors. As Montague-Hellen noted, protocols.io aligns closely with the UK’s Technician Commitment, which advocates for:

• Attribution of technical expertise
• Visibility for often-hidden methodological work
• Career development for technical staff
• Knowledge sustainability when experts move on

By making protocols traceable, reusable and citable, protocols.io helps ensure that vital expertise doesn’t disappear and that those behind the methods receive the recognition they deserve. It addresses a long-standing challenge in research culture: giving due credit to all contributors, not just principal investigators or first authors.

To dive deeper into the benefits of open method sharing, watch the full webinar. As one attendee put it: “I got a very clear explanation on what transparency in science is and on the basis of sharing protocols.”

Related content 

• Reproducibility as a competitive advantage in life science R&D
• Supporting global open data through what really works
• Supporting open science: Exploring barriers and solutions to data sharing
• Top 5 benefits of digital labs in life sciences R&D
• Making policy a reality – practical steps to open access workflows

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Publishing research on the UN Sustainable Development Goals is vital for advancing the Goals and promoting evidence-based solutions to global challenges. And if that’s not reason enough for journal editors to prioritise SDG-related work, these publications also contribute positively to traditional journal success metrics. 

Let’s dive deeper into why SDG research is important to ensuring a sustainable future, as well as how publishing SDG research benefits journals, and how you as an editor can attract more SDG-related content to your journal.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The Goals cover environmental, social, economic, and health aspects that together set a blueprint for a sustainable future on earth. 

At this point in time, the Goals are not on track to be achieved by their 2030 deadline. But we refuse to let this discourage efforts to reach a sustainable future.  

Understanding the challenges we face, designing solutions, and testing them all require evidence-based, peer-reviewed research. That’s why the research published by Springer Nature is essential in supporting the SDGs.  

If this isn’t reason enough to pursue SDG content for your journal, we also know that articles on the SDGs have a positive impact on the journals that publish them, bringing growth, citations, and readership.

How can you publish more research related to sustainable development goals? Identify natural alignment with the Goals within your journal scope and highlight them through special issues, keyword, or an editorial. And encourage authors to reflect on societal impact.
Marco Cordani, Complutense University of Madrid, Associate Editor, Cell Communication and Signaling

SDG publications’ performance: Important topics, enhanced metrics

Research related to the SDGs represents a rapidly growing area of high impact articles. By many of the metrics of journal success, SDG articles perform better than non-SDG articles.

SDG articles account for approximately 24% of all articles published in 2024 across all publishers, but they’ve been growing much more rapidly than articles not related to the SDGs (average growth of 11% year on year since the SDGs were adopted, compared with 4% for non-SDG articles in the same time period).  

With their higher citations, higher altmetric scores, and higher average downloads than non-SDG articles, publishing SDG-related content is definitely a good idea: for supporting sustainable development as well as for the development of your journal. 

_{Fig.1. SDG articles have higher average citations, altmetrics scores and downloads than non-SDG articles} 

Because research on the SDGs is most impactful when visible, content related to the Goals is highlighted in various ways across Springer Nature. Features like SDG badges for journals and SDG filters for content searches make SDG research visible, accessible, and available. 

Identify the SDGs relevant to your journal and its scope

When examining how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) intersect with various academic disciplines, we see that many different subject areas publish work that connects with the Goals. Whether in engineering, economics, history, or philosophy, research aligned with any of the 17 SDGs can contribute to advancing these global objectives.  

Identifying which SDGs connect with the research interests of your journal’s community is the first step in trying to attract such publications. But how can you identify these SDGs?  

An analysis of the content published in your journal will enable you to find the issues that can bring SDG-related research into your journal. Use the new SDG filters on Springer Nature Link to get an initial overview of SDG content you’ve already been publishing. The filters use Dimensions’ SDG classifier, a guided machine learning-based algorithm created by Digital Science, which relates content to one or more of the Goals. 

Consider which disciplines and research areas covered in your journal are relevant to which of the SDGs. Reflect on the topics addressed in the various SDGs to identify those that you and others in your research networks are especially interested in and align with your research and publications. 

With the understanding of which SDGs are most relevant to your journal, you can seek out content directly related to those Goals and increase your journal’s publication of SDG content.

Practical tips to attracting SDG content to your journal

Once you know which of the SDGs most naturally align with your journal and your community, here are some practical tips for attracting content related to those Goals: 

1. Indicate your interest in SDG-related content 

Make it clear to your audience that SDG-related content is welcome in your journal by expressing this interest in an editorial and specifying the SDGs that relate to the scope of your journal.  
It is also useful to mention relevant SDGs in the journal’s Aims and Scope, which can also increase the chance of your journal appearing in the results when potential authors search for content on specific SDGs.  

2. Find the right people 

Invite researchers working on SDG research related to your journal’s scope to author content for the journal. 
Search across your network and expand beyond it to identify individuals who can support your efforts to increase SDG content in your journal. You can do this by…  

• finding presentations on SDG or sustainability research in the conferences that your community attends 
• conducting data analysis using the SDG filters in the main publication databases  
• exploring authors at competitor journals, relevant research centres, and in funding databases 
• connecting with people over shared research interests through social media.  

3. Create opportunities for engagement  

Once your journal’s interest in publishing SDG-related content is clearly stated and you’ve identified individuals to source such content from, you can generate opportunities to attract and showcase this content. Consider for instance...  

• launching a tailored collection related to relevant SDGs, or joining a multi-journal collection 
• hosting a webinar to provide extra visibility to collections or key publications, or as a space to discuss SDG issues relevant to your journal’s community 

Speak to your publisher about the Springer Nature SDG Talks series, a forum for the discussion of issues, progress, and opportunities relating to research in support of the SDGs. Webinars offer a great opportunity to highlight how your journal, efforts, and work are very much in line with some of the most pressing topics of the day.
Joshua Bayliss, Senior Publisher, Springer Nature

Watch the webinar to learn more: Spotlight On… Attracting SDG research to your journal 

You can find a wealth of resources for editors that support you in your work, covering topics from open access publishing to research integrity and offering courses and tools. But if you’d like to hear more about why you should attract more SDG-related research to your journal, and how you can accomplish this, watch the webinar Spotlight On… Attracting SDG research to your journal.

In the webinar you’ll find more detailed information on attracting SDG research to your journal, including a heat map illustrating where different fields of research align with the 17 SDGs, detailed tips on how to identify potential authors to submit SDG research, and more.  

You’ll also hear the first-hand experience of two journals and how strategies and tips provided to successfully attract SDG research worked for them: Associate Editor of Cell Communication and Signaling, Marco Cordani from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, discusses driving sustainability through editorial leadership, and Springer Nature Senior Publisher Joshua Bayliss shares tips and tricks for using webinars to boost journals. 

Watch now: Spotlight On… Attracting SDG research to your journal. 

Related content:

• Blog: How Springer Nature Collections power SDG research
• Blog: Highlighting the SDGs: Find and use research that makes a difference
• Springer Nature SDG Talks webinar series - a forum for discussion of issues, progress and opportunities relating to research in support of the SDGs 
• Springer Nature Editorial Community – a dedicated hub for Editors and Editorial Board Members to engage, network and discover the latest news and updates  

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We recently published a report that explores our efforts to build inclusive publishing practices in Springer Nature's book publishing programmes. In it, we present data on gender diversity among book authors and editors, exposing a persistent gender gap.  

In this post, we share insights from the report and discuss our efforts to further global inclusion in book publishing.

At  Springer Nature, our mission is to be part of progress, and that begins with inclusion: of people, perspectives, and ideas. We believe that diverse perspectives drive progress, and we are committed to creating an environment where people and ideas can flourish. To be able to represent this diversity in scholarly publishing, we work toward an inclusive publishing landscape.  

In the publishing process, we work with a broad global network of researchers serving as authors, editors, and reviewers. This collaboration gives us both the opportunity and the responsibility to promote unbiased practices and better reflect the evolving demographics of the research community.  

We rely on data to identify gaps, develop approaches, and monitor their impact, in support of our decision making and strategic planning. In the recently published report, titled Inclusive book publishing at Springer Nature, we present findings on gender representation among Springer Nature book authors and editors to illustrate how we are using data-informed insights, and reflect on approaches to improve inclusivity in publishing. 

“I’m proud to see the Books group engaging with and making progress on global inclusion in our publishing activities.”

- Niels Thomas, Executive VP, Books
 

Gender distribution of book authors and editors

We present a first-ever snapshot view of the inferred gender diversity of lead authors and editors and book series editors in Springer Nature. Ultimately, we would like to understand demographics across a broader range of variables. Geographical representation, for instance, is another example in which researcher demographics is undergoing transformation (the rising volume and impact of research from China is an example of this). But gender is a good starting point, especially because we can also compare our findings with gender representation in the research community.  

The snapshot, covering a five-year period (2019-2024), shows that women are underrepresented as authors and editors at Springer Nature: Women represent 29% of lead authors and editors of books, and 24% of book series editors.

The distribution of book authors and editors varies by discipline and largely tracks with trends on gender representation within the research community. The proportion of women authors also varies by book type, which is also seen in career-stage data of women in academia. 

The pattern of underrepresentation of women in scholarly book publishing corresponds to what we see in editor diversity at Springer Nature journals and what other publishers have reported. Given that women make up 30-50% of researchers globally, these percentages of women researchers as authors and editors in publishing does not reflect the gender representation in the global research community.

Data is essential to identifying disparities and addressing them. We collect information and make it available so that it can empower efforts to understand, recognise, and address challenges of global inclusion.

- Sowmya Swaminathan, Director, DEI, Research Publishing

Building inclusive practices in book publishing

We are working to integrate inclusive practices into our publishing programmes at Springer Nature. The starting point is making sure that knowledge about bias is available, as well as resources and opportunities to support people in turning this knowledge into practice.  

Some of these efforts include: 

• Peer-to-peer workshops for editors that provide a space to discuss topics related to bias and diversity and to formulate plans to improve diversity of both authors and publications.  
• Springer Nature’s Intentional Content Strategy that encourages editors to commission work that contributes to the scholarly discourse on topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Integrating accessibility best practices to ensure our digital products, such as eBooks, meet the needs of all users.

Achieving representation and inclusion in our book publishing programme and beyond requires sustained efforts. Data informs our efforts, measures our progress, and enables us to plan strategically for new initiatives to confront disparities.

To learn more, read the full report: Inclusive book publishing at Springer Nature.

Early career researchers (ECRs) face a fundamental challenge: how do you transform promising research into real-world impact so it can make a meaningful difference? Springer Nature collections are designed to help ECRs overcome these barriers, offering a platform where research is published, actively promoted, cited, and applied.

This Springer Nature collection case study will guide you through the journey of an article collection that achieved genuine policy influence and academic recognition. You’ll gain behind-the-scenes insights into the editorial process, learn about the impactful research included, and see the real-world results—such as citations in major policy documents and adoption by practitioners. You’ll also find practical guidance on preparing and submitting your own work to collections, with advice from Guest Editors and published collection authors.

The Health System in sub-Saharan Africa collection success story

From innovative research to global policy, the Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection demonstrates that early-career researchers can see their work transition from publication to real-world impact, including being cited by the World Health Organization. It’s the kind of influence every ECR aspires to achieve.

Proving that a single collection can have a big impact

• Cited by the World Health Organization   
• Published 25 papers  
• Covered diverse topics from maternal health to chronic disease  
• Showcased the work of 100+ researchers   
• Connected authors from 17 countries across 4 continents

A platform for diverse, high-impact research

Launched in August 2023, the Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection currently comprises 25 papers that examine the challenges and opportunities facing health systems in this region.

Topics include maternal and child health, community health work, substance misuse, chronic disease management, socio-cultural factors affecting healthcare access, and many more.

The collection is intentionally multidisciplinary, welcoming theoretical and empirical work, and open to various methodologies and perspectives. It demonstrates how academic research translates into practical solutions that truly matter.

From research to real-world change: the bridge that works

The Health System in sub-Saharan Africa collection’s impact is tangible and far-reaching:

• Policy influence

One paper has already been cited in the World Health Organization’s (WHOs) 2024 World Malaria Report, providing clear evidence that the collection's research is taken into account when it comes to global health policy.

• Practical application

Many of the papers published in the collection offer actionable insights that have already been applied by policymakers and healthcare providers, thereby bridging the gap between academic research and frontline practice.

• Academic recognition

The collection has sparked significant interest and engagement within the scholarly community, with multiple papers cited in other research and a growing network of reviewers and collaborators.

Showcasing the potential for the practical application of published research

The Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection is more than an academic showcase; it catalyses real-world change. Three recent papers exemplify how research from this collection can shape policy and improve practice:

1. The safety, quality evaluation, and lot release of COVID-19 vaccines imported and used in Nigeria from March 2021 to March 2022

In this research article, the authors presented one of the first detailed models of its kind from sub-Saharan Africa. Based at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Michigan, USA, the authors documented Nigeria’s quality assurance process for imported COVID-19 vaccines.

By detailing the rigorous quality control processes in ISO-accredited laboratories, the paper provided a practical model of regulatory requirements for other low- and middle-income countries. The study highlights how robust testing, transparency, and adherence to international standards can strengthen regulatory systems, build public trust, and combat vaccine hesitancy.

2. Pay for a free service, access to cesarean section in the slums of Dakar

Researchers from Kenya, Senegal, and Burkina Faso investigated access to emergency caesarean sections for women in Dakar's slums. The research revealed that significant out-of-pocket costs persist despite a policy guaranteeing free caesarean services in government-run health facilities. 

These costs contribute to further impoverishment of women and undermine the intent of free care policies. By identifying the disconnect between policy and practice, the paper provides a foundation for policymakers to reform financial management and ensure equitable access to lifesaving maternal health services.

3, Cost efficiency of primary health care facilities in Ghana: stochastic frontier analysis

A research team based in Ghana evaluated the cost efficiency of Ghana's primary healthcare facilities using robust statistical methods. The study revealed notable efficiency differences between facility types and identified factors that affect operational performance. The authors proposed adopting telehealth and telemedicine to improve access to and resilience of the health system, especially during health emergencies.

What the Guest Editors had to say about the collection

The collection’s Guest Editors highlighted the valuable contributions of early-career researchers (ECRs) and their fresh insights and innovative approaches.

“Our experience with the Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection revealed a vibrant and growing community of early-career researchers who are driving meaningful policy change through evidence-based research. Their fresh insights and inventive solutions are addressing real-world health system challenges, contributing to scientific progress and impact—from healthcare financing and product quality assurance to modern delivery technologies and global health reports. Supporting these researchers to surface and share their work is not only an investment in future leadership, but also a step toward building resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Seeing our own paper cited by the WHO and applied by policymakers is the ultimate reward.”

— Guest Editors of the Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa collection

Discover collections: Modern publishing for modern challenges

Discover breaks free from traditional publishing constraints that often limit the impact of early-career researchers. Unlike conventional journals that may prioritise established researchers or have narrow scopes, Discover welcomes diverse methodologies, emerging researchers, and locally grounded perspectives that traditional publications might overlook.

The benefits of publishing to a Discover collection

• Inclusive publishing 

Discover actively seek contributions from researchers, utilizing targeted outreach and a diverse reviewer pool to ensure representation and maintain high-quality standards.

• Multi-disciplinary scope 

Discover fosters collaboration and innovation across disciplines by covering everything from policy and governance to clinical practice, opening possibilities for researchers in different relevant disciplines.

• Open access advantage

With Discover, every article is freely accessible worldwide, maximising your research's reach and citation potential. This isn't just about numbers; it's about ensuring your work reaches the practitioners, policymakers, and communities who can apply your findings.

• Community-driven support

Guest Editors and the Editorial team provide dedicated support throughout the publishing process. Coordinated marketing campaigns across social media platforms, professional networks, and academic channels ensure your research is published and promoted.

• Enhanced visibility and networking

Connect with Guest Editors, fellow contributors, and the broader research community. These contacts often lead to future collaborations, conference invitations, and career opportunities that strengthen grant applications and career prospects.

Why early career researchers choose Discover

• Representative: Your research finds its home

Discovers inclusive approach means targeted outreach through academic networks, regional connections, and professional social platforms, ensuring ECR research from across the continents finds its platform. This representative approach drives innovation and diversity, advancing discovery by welcoming all validated research regardless of origin.

• Rigorous: The quality that opens doors

Every submission undergoes robust peer review with a carefully curated reviewer pool spanning multiple disciplines. This rigorous process does not slow down ECRs; it accelerates their credibility. When your research appears in a Discover collection, it carries the trusted reputation that policymakers and senior researchers recognise.

• Rapid: Published at the pace of progress

Discover collections prioritise speed without compromising quality. The streamlined submission process and efficient editorial workflow mean ECRs see their work published quickly, which is crucial when research addresses urgent global health challenges.

• Reach: Finding the community that matters

The multidisciplinary scope of Discover’s journal collections creates unprecedented networking opportunities, bringing together leading experts, emerging researchers, and innovators from across diverse fields.

• Why publish to a Discover collection?

The Health Systems in sub-Saharan Africa collection demonstrates that Discover not only publishes research but also helps careers develop. That’s precisely why Discover is trusted by researchers for their values and impact.

As the youngest imprint from Springer Nature, Discover provides ECRs with everything needed to transform promising research into global impact by combining open access publishing, rigorous peer review, and community-driven support. 

Furthermore, whether your research addresses health systems challenges in Africa or elsewhere, Discover offers the platform, support, and reach to ensure your work makes the difference you intended.

What the collection authors had to say

Addressing malaria incidence in Africa through health care expenditure and access to basic sanitation services

Dr Alfred Eboh, a medical sociologist at Kogi State University, and Aderonke Omotayo Adebayo of the University of Ibadan, published an article demonstrating how improvements to healthcare expenditure and access to basic sanitation can reduce malaria cases and deaths. 

By choosing to publish in a Discover collection, Eboh and Adebayo made their work visible and accessible, leading to enhanced impact. In under 18 months, the article attracted five citations and 3500 accesses, underscoring the impact and relevance of publishing open access in a targeted collection.

“Importantly, the WHO’s World malaria report 2024 referenced our study’s insights on the importance of external funding and sanitation in reducing case numbers. This was incredibly gratifying: Seeing our work inform a flagship policy document underscores that rigorous, data‑driven research can, and does, shape global strategies. [...] Ultimately, the impact of these publications and their endorsement in academia and also policy affirm that scholarly work can move beyond citation counts to influence budgets, programmes, and — most importantly — health outcomes on the ground.”

- Dr Alfred Eboh, a medical sociologist at Kogi State University, Nigeria

Read Dr Eboh’s full interview here.

Using economic analysis to inform health resource allocation: lessons from Malawi

Early-career researcher Megha Rao and her co-authors sought to publish their research so that it would reach the very people who could implement their findings and suggestions, thereby making the maximum real-world impact.

Since publication, Rao and her team have received subsequent inquiries from policymakers about adapting and implementing her work across Africa. She says, “Publishing in the collection has given this research significantly greater visibility, particularly because it showcases its real-world application in Malawi. This has acted as a powerful proof-of-concept.”

Moreover, Rao highlights the value of publishing in a collection for early-career researchers. She adds, "For an ECR, the immediate value comes from the credibility it provides. Being included in a curated collection by established editors acts as a 'stamp of approval' and effectively positions my work within the most relevant community of experts and policymakers.”

“We've had tangible interest from researchers and health ministries in several other African countries. These aren't just academic inquiries; they are concrete conversations about how to adapt and implement these tools to fit their national contexts, which is exactly the outcome we hoped for.” 

- Megha Rao, Research Fellow for the Thanzi Labwino (Better Health) project at the University of York

Ready to make the wise choice for your research impact? Visit Springer Nature collections to explore open call for papers and discover which collection aligns with your research goals and career ambitions. At Springer Nature, your work will be published, promoted, protected, and positioned for real-world change.

Related content

• Unlocking Research Impact: What Is a Springer Nature Collection? | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• What is a Collection? We Answer Your FAQs | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• How Publishing in a Collection Ensured Malaria Control Guidance Reached Policymakers | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• Publishing to reach policymakers: Springer Nature Collections | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• Publishing to a Collection: Impact for Early Career Researchers | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• Discover collections: An effective approach for enhancing article impact | For Researchers | Springer Nature
• How Springer Nature Collections power SDG research | For Researchers | Springer Nature

Progress on United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 'Good Health & Well-being' (SDG 3) takes more than research — it also requires getting that research to the people on the ground, and the people making policy, including both governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Actively helping get this work into the right hands is why Springer Nature has set up SDG hubs and newsletters, including for SDG 3. The hub for SDG 3 covers research spanning four main themes: reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases; non-communicable diseases; and health systems and funding. It also looks at improving mental health and minimising environmental health risks. 

SDG 3 at Springer Nature 

Helping researchers publish — and publicise — their work in these fields is one of the key parts of my job at Springer Nature. By publicise, I mean that staff at Springer Nature devote time and effort into hubs, newsletters, awareness days, webinars, and more, to support SDG-related research.

The SDG Working Group at Springer Nature that I'm involved in focuses on SDG 3. For SDG 3-related work, we not only support these activities, but we highlight them in a bi-monthly SDG 3 newsletter. We publish this newsletter on the Research Communities, where it raises awareness of initiatives that relate to the SDG3 targets. 

SDG 3 Newsletter 

Each newsletter focuses in depth on a broad theme related to the SDG 3 targets. The SDG 3 Newsletter offers a concise overview of recent Springer Nature articles, books, collections, webinars, and relevant conferences. The newsletter also highlights current developments, assessing progress toward SDG 3 targets and sharing ways readers can get involved. 

Boosting SDG 3 research 

We publish this newsletter for you — for researchers working in SDG 3, to showcase and emphasise your work. This is a chance for you to have your work spotlighted for a broader SDG 3-interested audience.  

My team can work with you to create a blog about your research paper, your career, and/or an important event in your research field. These blogs are accessible to everyone, and readers include researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals actively working on SDG 3. The SDG 3 Newsletters earn thousands of views and are a wonderful way of promoting your recent article or shining a light on your research. 

The Springer Nature SDG 3 Working Group members have worked with researchers from a variety of fields including clinical medicine, public health, and social sciences. Read the newsletters to discover researcher Q&As, podcasts, and ‘behind the paper’ blogs.  

What does this look like in practice? You can see that by reading the most recent SDG 3 Newsletters: 

• SDG 3 Newsletter: LGBTQ+ Health and Wellbeing 
• SDG 3 Newsletter: Children and Young People 
• SDG 3 Newsletter: Diseases 
• SDG 3 Newsletter: A round-up of Springer Nature’s SDG 3 Working Group in 2024 

To get involved, please contact me - and follow me on the Research Communities to be alerted when an SDG 3 Newsletter is published

Related content: 

• Bringing SDG research to the forefront: A look at the Research Communities 
• Highlighting the SDGs: Find and use research that makes a difference 
• Driving Impact: Springer Nature's Initiatives for the SDGs

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Are you an early-career researcher eager to get your work noticed? Publishing open access (OA) is one of the best ways to make sure your research is read, cited, and used around the world. But getting started with OA publishing can feel confusing, especially if you’re new to it.

This blog will guide you through the basics of OA publishing and show how Discover journals make the process straightforward and supportive, especially for new researchers. We’ll explain the benefits for your career and how you can take advantage of open access agreements to make publishing easier and more affordable.

Increase your reach

When you publish openly under an OA license, your article is free for anyone to read right away—no paywalls or subscriptions. This means your work can reach researchers anywhere in the world, including researchers in lower-middle-income countries whose institutions may have to be highly selective with the journal subscriptions they sign up for. OA helps create a fairer research community where everyone has access to the latest science, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and the general public.

OA publishing increases the reach of your research. Readers can easily discover and immediately access OA articles, without hitting paywalls or institutional login pages. This results in more impact. Many studies have shown that publishing OA positively influences the number of readers and citations your research receives. Moreover, data from a 2024 report showed that articles in Springer Nature’s fully OA journals were downloaded up to five times more often and received higher citation rates than those in other publishers’ comparable journals. 

This extra attention can lead to new collaborations, a stronger CV, and a faster start to your research career—all especially important if you’re just starting out.

“Discover journals are built to encourage inclusivity, rapid, rigorous review, and global reach. Our publishing models are designed to match that ambition, making it easier than ever for authors to publish open access without compromise. Discover journals reflect the future of publishing: rigorous, fast, fair, and open to all.” 

- Dylan Parker, Publishing Director, Discover at Springer Nature

A journal portfolio built around inclusivity

Discover is Springer Nature’s newest imprint, breaking with many publishing traditions. Our portfolio of fully OA journals spans a wide range of disciplines, from the hard sciences and medicine to the social sciences and humanities.

Our primary goal is to be inclusive of all research communities and types of research. In some disciplines, up to half of all research findings don’t get published. At Discover, we welcome all valid research, including negative findings and case reports.

Since all articles are available OA from day one, readers can easily access Discover journals and use their content, regardless of where they are in the world.

Our inclusive portfolio has been designed to facilitate multidisciplinary research, so the journals can easily align with the challenges outlined by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Every new journal in the Discover portfolio considers how journal content will contribute to progressing SDGs relevant to the subject matter. In fact, across the Discover portfolio, SDG-related content consistently receives stronger engagement than non-SDG content, with on average 53.9% higher Altmetric scores and 12.6% more citations (Dimensions), highlighting their academic influence. 

We know that you care about getting your results out into the world quickly. The average time between manuscript submission and first decision ranges from one to four weeks. You can easily check this metric for each Discover journal as the median value is listed on its home page, so our authors know what to expect. At the same time, we don’t compromise on quality. All Discover journals follow the ethical standards for research and publication defined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), so you can trust our rigorous and robust peer-review process. 

“Early-career researchers often face the steepest barriers to publishing. Our goal is to remove those barriers—whether financial, procedural, or institutional—so they can focus on building their careers and contributing to global knowledge. That’s why we’ve designed our OA agreements with all researchers, including early-career researchers, in mind. From fee coverage to simplified workflows, we’re here to support the next generation of scholars.” 

- Caroline Nevison, Director of OA Agreements at Springer Nature

Publishing made simple for early-career researchers

Publishing your first paper can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot to learn—like how to submit, what peer review means, and how to pay for publication. Discover journals are set up to make these steps as simple as possible, so you can focus on sharing your research.

Here’s how Discover journals support early-career researchers from the start:

• Rigorous peer review underpinned by COPE ethics
• Rapid decisions for real-time impact 
• An inclusive scope that welcomes diverse article types and multidisciplinary research 
• Global reach and impact via OA publications 
• Straightforward OA agreements with institutions

Our open access agreements make it easy to opt for OA

When publishing OA, authors are typically required to pay an article processing fee (APC) to cover the costs of the editorial process. Many institutions offer financial support to help cover these costs. One way is through OA agreements with publishers—either individually or through a consortium agreement among multiple institutions. 

Your institution’s OA agreement with Springer Nature may provide:  

• Full APC coverage – 100% of the APC is paid by the institution
• A percentage discount – e.g. 10% off the list price APC
• Fixed price coverage – e.g. up to €1,000 paid by the institution.

Our OA agreements with participating institutions worldwide are designed to help reduce both the financial and administrative burdens for authors.

If your institution has such an agreement in place, your OA fees might be covered for the journals included.  

Authors whose institutions are not yet part of an open-access agreement can still benefit from Springer Nature’s OA funding resources, which help locate institutional funds, charitable grants, or waiver programs for researchers in lower-income countries.

Find out if your publishing fee can be covered by an OA agreement

Step 1: Visit the homepage of the Discover journal you want to publish in via Springer Nature Link. Click on “Explore open access funding” underneath the “Submit your manuscript” button. 

Step 2: Your institution is automatically selected through your IP address, but you can update this to reflect your best fit, or that of your co-authors.

Step 3: If your university or institution has an agreement with Springer Nature, the eligibility checker will inform you of the available funding options.

Step 4: If you’re not covered by an OA agreement then explore whether your funder or institution supports APC costs through other routes. Visit Springer Nature’s open access funding & support services for information about research funders and institutions that provide funding for APCs.

Ready to publish OA in a Discover journal?

Our support service team is available to assist you at every step of the submission, review, and publication process. 

Submission

You can submit your manuscript through a journal’s online submission system. Detailed guidelines help you meet the journal’s formatting and content requirements.

Peer review

Once submitted, the manuscript undergoes rigorous peer review. Reviewers assess the validity, originality and significance of your research. Authors may be required to make revisions based on the feedback from reviewers.

Acceptance and publication

Upon acceptance, your manuscript is prepared for publication. This includes formatting, proofreading, and the addition of metadata to enhance discoverability. Your final article is then published online and made freely accessible.

Post-publication

After publication, you can track the impact of your work through metrics such as download counts, citations, and social media mentions.

Make your research count with Discover’s OA journals

Publishing open access doesn’t have to be complicated, and with Discover journals, it’s designed to be empowering. Whether you're an early-career researcher looking to build visibility or simply want your work to reach the widest possible audience, Discover offers a fast, inclusive, and impactful publishing experience. From rigorous peer review to global discoverability and simplified funding through OA agreements, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to take the next step? Explore our OA funding options for Discover journals and make your research count.

Related content

• More than just a number: How new impact factors help Discover authors
• How publishing in a Collection ensured malaria control guidance reached policymakers 
• Why Discover journals are an ideal outlet for SDG-focused research 
• Discover collections: An effective approach for enhancing article impact 
• Discover: A portfolio of inclusive, open access journals with community in mind
• Inclusive, global and interdisciplinary: Discover journals break with tradition 
• Responsive, inclusive, and reactive: Going behind the scenes at Discover

In the race to develop life-saving vaccines and diagnostics, access to the right scientific knowledge at the right time can make all the difference. For public health institutions like Bio-Manguinhos, Brazil’s leading producer of immunobiologicals, bridging the gap between global research and local innovation is not just a strategic priority; it’s a public mandate.

For many public health institutions, navigating the vast and fragmented landscape of scientific literature can be a significant barrier. Researchers and technical teams often face delays in accessing peer-reviewed studies, struggle with siloed information systems, or lack the tools to efficiently integrate new findings into their workflows. These challenges can slow down R&D, complicate regulatory submissions, and ultimately delay the delivery of critical health solutions to the populations that need them most.

Like many public health institutions, Bio-Manguinhos, a key player in Brazil’s public health ecosystem, faced these barriers head-on. By rethinking how teams' access and apply scientific research, the organisation not only accelerated innovation but also created a scalable model for others navigating similar challenges. The experience of Bio-Manguinhos offers practical insights for organisations facing similar challenges.

Turning information overload into actionable insight

Public health organizations working at the intersection of science, policy and service delivery face increasing pressure to stay current with global research across diverse disciplines, from virology and immunology to manufacturing and regulatory science. Operating under tight timelines and limited resources, these institutions rely on timely, relevant scientific literature to inform decision-making and drive innovation.

Yet many teams still depend on fragmented systems for research discovery, open-access sources, institutional repositories, and informal sharing networks. This patchwork approach is often time-consuming and inconsistent, making it difficult to integrate new findings into workflows efficiently. The result is slower R&D cycles, challenges in regulatory documentation and delays in delivering health solutions to the populations that need them most.

To overcome these barriers, Bio-Manguinhos implemented a more connected approach to research access. By leveraging curated databases such as AdisInsight, the organisation enabled reliable, immediate access to the latest global research, supporting innovation in vaccines, diagnostics and biopharmaceuticals.

"COVID-19 showed the world that we need to collaborate in different networks that are somehow interconnected. However, most data was still proprietary, and we needed a new paradigm to work around that, so we could move even faster, as much as possible, on a safe ground.” - Beatriz Fialho, Head of Competitive Intelligence at Bio-Manguinhos

This shift allows teams to:

• Rapidly validate hypotheses with current findings
• Avoid duplication by building on existing studies
• Strengthen the scientific foundation of regulatory submissions
• Foster collaboration across R&D, quality and compliance functions

As one project lead at Bio-Manguinhos described it: “We’re no longer starting from scratch; we’re building on the shoulders of global science.” This was particularly evident in the development of new diagnostic kits, where faster access to studies on viral mutations and detection methods enabled quicker iteration, confident validation and faster time to market.

From faster insights to broader impact

While R&D teams often see the most immediate gains, the ripple effects are felt organization wide. Regulatory affairs teams can support submissions with up-to-date citations. Quality assurance teams reference the latest methodologies. Even onboarding and training improved, as new staff gain easier access to foundational and current literature. As one stakeholder put it, “It’s not just the researchers who benefit regulatory, quality and even training teams now have the resources they need at their fingertips.”

What makes this approach particularly relevant for mission-driven organizations is its scalability and adaptability. Whether a national vaccine producer, a diagnostics lab, or a public research institute, the ability to connect teams with trusted, timely research is a foundational enabler of innovation. And it doesn’t require a complete overhaul of systems. Often, it’s about removing friction, making it easier for people to find what they need, when they need it and use it effectively. That might mean integrating access into existing workflows, offering training on discovery tools or ensuring that licensing models reflect the realities of public sector work.

Ultimately, it’s about amplifying impact. When institutions can move faster, collaborate smarter, and innovate with confidence, the effects extend far beyond the lab. They reach communities, strengthen health systems and accelerate progress toward global health goals.

Lessons for the future of public health innovation

As public health challenges grow more complex, the need for agile, evidence-based innovation will only intensify. Institutions that invest in research connectivity today are better positioned to respond to tomorrow’s crises and to lead in shaping a healthier future. The experience of Bio-Manguinhos offers several practical insights for organizations considering a similar shift:

• Start with the user: Understand how teams currently access and use research and identify the biggest friction points in their workflows.
• Think beyond content: Access is essential, but so is usability. Tools should be intuitive, integrated and aligned with how people actually work.
• Measure what matters: Go beyond usage metrics. Track how improved access accelerates projects, enhances quality or supports strategic goals.
• Build for the long term: Choose solutions that can evolve with the organization and adapt to changing research needs and institutional priorities.

In the race to develop life-saving vaccines and diagnostics, timely access to the right scientific knowledge can be the difference between delay and delivery. For public health institutions worldwide, bridging global research with local innovation is increasingly essential. Take a closer look at the full case study for more detailed view of how Bio-Manguinhos approached this transformation and how similar strategies can help other public health institutions strengthen research access, accelerate innovation and deliver greater impact across their communities.

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• Trends and practicalities of digital transformation in life sciences R&D 
• Breakthrough therapies and blockbuster drug launches that are shaping healthcare
• The rise of generative AI: Transforming the role of information professionals 
• TDM and APIs: An introduction for information professionals
• Unravelling the Power of TDM: A Transformative Journey for Researchers
• Bridging the GAP with R&D departments: Three key challenges libraries face 
• The critical role of content investment in the R&D process
• 7 critical messages Info Pros want R&D scientists to know

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It’s the start of October, and for those of us in and around the research community that means it’s time to get excited about learning who, and what, will be selected for the Nobel prize this year. 

The Nobel prizes are truly unique in their global recognition and reach.  The research-oriented prizes are a once-a-year celebration of the value and impact of groundbreaking fundamental research, and the vital role it plays in moving us and our planet forward.  Countries around the world are justifiably proud of the number of winners they can claim as their own, either through origin or through adopted home.  The city where I live, Boston (USA), even has a display celebrating local winners adorning one terminal of its main airport.  

At Nature Portfolio, we too are proud of the part that we have played in this history.  Each year when the Nobel prize announcements come out, we celebrate the winners and their contributions by highlighting the articles they have chosen to publish with us (see for example the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry). Looking back over time, we are grateful that 75% of the researchers who have received scientific Nobel prizes (Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry, Physics) in the past 50 years have chosen to publish at least some of their work in Nature and Nature Portfolio journals.   

Publication is an important part of the overall research process, and our journals have stood the test of time.  For over 150 years, Nature and the Nature Portfolio of journals have focused on giving important research advances a platform that brings them to the research community and beyond.  Much has changed about the publishing process in that time – including distribution mechanisms, approaches to peer review, introduction of open access models, and community expectations around reporting and sharing to ensure rigor and reproducibility, and Nature Portfolio journals have often played a leading role in moving the community forward.  But what has not changed is the value that authors, reviewers, and readers place on journals that bring together important advances across fields and highlight them to the world. 

As a member of the Nature Portfolio team, I get to work every day with a talented team of scientific editors who are focused on bringing that value to life.   Across our Nature-branded research journals we currently employ over 450 full-time professional editors for research manuscripts. They all have advanced domain expertise that helps them not only evaluate the evidence and conclusions reached in each paper, but also to select the most important and rigorous work for publication. For Nature itself, this means that each editor carefully evaluates 12 papers to find one that the community would expect to see in the journal. At other Nature Portfolio research journals this ratio can be a little higher or a little lower.   

As part of this evaluation process, our editors use their expertise to identify a curated set of specialist reviewers who make an in-depth assessment of the work and ensure that the results fully support the conclusions.  They also work with authors to guide them in revising and developing their paper, including making sure that they meet our high standards for research integrity and reproducibility, and that their methods, data, and code are documented and available, through a constructive and interactive dialogue approach that sets our journals apart.  It’s no coincidence that in post-publication surveys 90% of Nature Portfolio authors agree that “the advice and comments from manuscript editors helped to improve their paper”, and as one recent author said “I would like to sincerely thank you for the quality of the editorial process. It was highly professional at every stage, with solid reviewers who provided insightful comments, and an editorial team that combined scientific rigor with a flexible and open attitude. It has truly been a pleasure to work with you.” 

All of that care is manifest in the value we give authors in terms of the recognition and visibility of their work. As an illustration, research articles in Nature-branded journals published in 2024 have each been cited on average 21.7 times per year, 8 times more than articles published in an average Springer Nature journal, which are cited 2.8 times on average, and downloaded over 12,000 times per year, compared to just over 900 times at an average journal—an impressive 13 times more. To complement the research articles we publish, we also commission commentaries to highlight and interpret research findings, and our press team work in collaboration with researchers and media organizations to ensure that important research advances have wider reach.  Nature itself also has an award-winning magazine news and comment team, reporting on research advances and other issues relevant to the research community.   

Maintaining these high standards, along with the infrastructure and technology needed to support them, does come at a cost, covered through journal subscriptions or open access publishing fees. In keeping with community expectations, our research journals all now offer an open access APC-based publishing option, either exclusively (Nature Communications) or as a choice for authors, and the APC levels associated with our journals reflect the investment we put in.  It’s worth highlighting, though, that while our APCs are 2-4x higher than average, if compared to receiving 8 or 13 times more citations and downloads, respectively, the “return on investment” for researchers of publishing in Nature Portfolio journals in terms of quality, visibility and reach remains high.  We estimate that historically only around 1% of the grant funding awarded by agencies such as the NIH or the EU has gone towards the cost of publication, which we view as helping to unlock the value of the remaining 99% for researchers, institutions, industry and the public. 

We think of ourselves as partners for the research community.  All of the credit for the research ideas and the effort involved in testing them of course goes to the researchers themselves.  Our role is to help make sure that reporting of that research meets the highest standards of rigor, transparency, and reproducibility, and that other people can see what the researchers have learned, will trust, understand, and appreciate it, and can then build on and apply it.  With our support as a high-quality global publisher, the researchers who did the work get the platform and recognition they deserve, and readers around the world can use the new insights to guide their own future journey. 

The Research Communities help bridge the gap between research and global impact by spotlighting work aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through features like SDG badges and curated content, these digital communities make it easier for researchers to discover, share, and amplify SDG-focused research.

I spoke with Yuanxin Zhang to learn more about the SDG-focused content being published on the Research Communities and how researchers can get involved to increase the visibility of their own work.

Tell me a little about the Research Communities

The Research Communities are vibrant digital communities which connect researchers and research-interested audiences around the world. By fostering connections on a global scale, the Communities help researchers expand their networks, discover new findings and hear directly from those at the cutting edge of research.  

In the Communities, researchers can explore the latest research findings, generate discussions with peers and dive into relevant news and opinions from leaders in the field. Whichever Community they join, all are united under the same goal – to provide them with access to the latest information and foster informed discussions to aid collaboration and drive the advancement of science and discovery by connecting the research community on a global scale. 

A new feature: the SDG badges. How do these work?

Content in the Research Communities that is especially relevant to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is now marked with an SDG badge.  

The aim is to increase the visibility of SDG-relevant work and help researchers better understand how their contributions connect to global sustainability challenges.  

These badges, added by the Communities team or the authors themselves, make it easier to identify, explore, and showcase SDG-related research. Researchers can filter content by SDG badge, see the badge displayed on individual posts, and browse SDG-specific pages (e.g. SDG 3) that bring together all related content in one place. 

Do you see a lot of SDG-relevant content being published on the Research Communities?

Yes – SDG-relevant content appears widely across the Research Communities, with contributions reflecting the many ways research from across disciplines supports the UN goals. 

The Sustainability Community in particular provides a strong focus, bringing together research on a wide spectrum of topics – from eco-friendly recycling for retired wind blades (SDG 12), urban walkability and climate adaptation (SDG 11 & 13), and wave energy technologies (SDG 7), to sustainable agriculture and food security (SDG 2), climate-related health and economic impacts (SDG 3), and social equity, institutional change, and community resilience (SDG 10 & 16). This diversity shows how SDG discussions cut across life sciences, social sciences, and applied sciences.

Across all Communities, content also appears in multiple channels – from Behind the Paper stories and editorial insights in the From the Editors category, to News & Opinion pieces, Events, and Opportunities – making it easy for researchers to discover and engage with work that supports sustainable development.

What is the top SDG-related content you’ve seen published in the last few months?

Recent popular SDG-related blog posts include:

• World Breastfeeding Week 2025: Creating Sustainable Support Systems
• SDG3 Newsletter: LGBTQ+ Health and Wellbeing
• Meet the speaker: Courtney Ryder
• Building the future with bamboo: a fully bio-based metastructure for modular composite design
• Gaza Nakba 2023–2024: Background, Context, Consequences
• Call for papers: Engineering and management of urban wetlands Collection

How can someone start their journey on the Research Communities?

It’s easy to get started – simply register to join the Research Communities. Once registered, researchers can easily stay up to date by following Communities and Topics that match their interests, as well as other members across the network. Their personalised Activity Feed then provides a curated stream of the latest content and interactions, while ‘Digest’ emails highlight newly tagged content directly in their inbox. Following ensures they never miss important developments and helps them stay engaged with the wider research conversation. 

Authors from across Springer Nature’s Journals and Books are invited to contribute a Behind the Paper post on their recently published work – or to share their perspectives through other types of blog posts such as Life in Research or News and Opinion. 

For more tips, a quick guide to navigating the Research Communities introduces these and other useful features. 

Take a closer look at the Research Communities to expand your network and discover the latest research findings. 

Yuanxin Zhang, Manager - Research Communities, Springer Nature

Yuanxin Zhang works with the Researcher Engagement team at Springer Nature, based in Beijing, China, supporting the Humanities and Social Sciences research areas across the Research Communities. Passionate about sustainability, she helps to promote SDG-relevant content through curated highlights and cross-disciplinary engagement. She also contributes blog posts and community updates that share exciting research, highlight new initiatives, and connect researchers with conversations on global challenges.

Related content:

• Highlighting the SDGs: Find and use research that makes a difference
• Driving Impact: Springer Nature's Initiatives for the SDGs

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Behind every Springer Nature Collection are guest editors whose expertise and dedication transform ideas into impactful academic resources. In this blog, we go behind the scenes and ask two early career researchers, Carlton J. Fong and Christopher S. Rozek, what it takes to guest edit a Springer Nature Collection.

From recruiting diverse voices to navigating peer review and promoting the final work, Carlton J. Fong and Christopher S. Rozek share what it really means to be a guest editor. They reflect on the challenges, the rewards, and the career-shaping impact of curating a Collection that spans educational, developmental, and cultural psychology. 

Whether you're an early career researcher or a seasoned academic, their insights offer a valuable look into the editorial journey and might just inspire your own. 

Fong and Rozek came together through their shared passion for school belonging—a field that focuses on how accepted, respected, included, and supported students feel in educational settings.  

Fong is an associate professor of post-secondary student success in the College of Education at Texas State University. And Rozek is an assistant professor in the Department of Education at Washington University in St. Louis.  

The Collection brings together new literature on primary through to post-secondary level school belonging, and includes perspectives from educational, developmental and cultural psychology, and beyond.  

We spoke to Fong and Rozek to learn more about their guest editor journeys and to ask what advice they had for other early career researchers who share the ambition to create a Collection in their own areas of expertise. 

What did the guest editor role entail day-to-day? 

Fong: There were a lot of moving pieces throughout the process. Some of the more practical things were guiding the authors, keeping them engaged, and making sure they were following through with their revisions and their timelines. We also worked closely with peer reviewers; they played a huge role. As guest editors we recruited the reviewers, answered their questions, and had them provide critiques and constructive feedback for authors. A special part of the role was taking all the reviewer comments, reading and evaluating the manuscripts, and synthesising all the feedback into actionable steps for the authors on how to improve their work. 

Rozek: There were different phases. At the beginning, we were doing the recruiting and planning; we were doing the intentional thinking about what we wanted the Collection to be and what kind of impact we wanted it to have. We were very conscious about inviting people who would cover a wide variety of topics; we also had an open call for papers. Once we started getting the papers in, we were in the editorial phase. We had very specific ideas about topics we wanted covered and perspectives we wanted included. We worked closely with our author teams to ensure that the papers they were contributing would relate to those topics and perspectives. Another part was promotion. As guest editors, we wanted to get the word out; we wanted people to know we were building a resource where they could find all these different perspectives and great theories about school belonging. 

Has the role influenced your career goals?  

Fong: It’s impacted my personal goals on multiple levels. I want to become an expert in this area and what better way to achieve that goal than by being an editor? You’re reviewing so much of the literature, so many ideas. You’re thinking critically about the topic over long periods of time, you’re working with authors and their ideas. It’s really sharpened my thinking and deepened my expertise. A secondary goal has been to network—to connect with scholars that I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to work with. 

Rozek: It’s been very rewarding for me and my career goals. I’ve been an author and a reviewer, and I’ve been on editorial boards, but this was my first big editorial experience. It’s been great to see what it’s like to be a journal editor, to really understand what the process is like. Another nice part—as an early career researcher—is that it increases your visibility in the field; it’s an opportunity to work with big-name scholars. 

What did you learn from this experience that you didn’t expect when going into it?

Fong: We had a diverse set of peer reviewers, and I was surprised to see how these scholars had different perspectives when they were reviewing the work; how they had disagreements about certain things. It was a good learning experience—peer reviewers bring different perspectives to the table and that enriches scholarly discussion. 

Rozek: Perhaps the most surprising thing I learned was just how big a project it was—it’s something that you’re committing to for a long time. Carlton and I came up with this idea back in 2023, and we wanted to play a role in helping to shape some of the papers in our Collection. That’s been a big but very rewarding commitment 

What did you enjoy most about the role and how did it fit with your other research and professional commitments?  

Fong: I beam with joy when I see the final articles—in print or online—in their final form; see the growth from the original submissions; see how the papers have evolved by integrating and taking on different comments and perspectives. Truly, feedback does make something much better. 

Rozek: The best way to balance the commitment is to ensure that the topic is something that is intertwined with your research. When your research has connections to, and overlaps with, the Collection topic, it makes that commitment a lot easier.

What advice would you give early career researchers who are interested in becoming guest editors? 

Fong: Have a bold and clear vision. That guided us through every step of developing our Collection. We wanted it to be a one-stop-shop for current and future belonging researchers; we had that vision and we stuck to it. That helped us through what can be a long process. 

Rozek: Reach out to people who’ve done it before, it’ll help demystify the process. I didn’t know much about doing this beforehand, but I have learned a lot and feel much more confident about being able to do it again. Also, make sure that it’s something that you’re really interested in and passionate about, something you’re very knowledgeable about. 

And finally, would you take on the role again? 

Fong: I would do it again in a heartbeat. There are just so many benefits. I recommend it to all scholars. We become scholars because we want to generate and curate knowledge. There’s no better way—in my mind—to deepen your knowledge and share knowledge with others than to edit a Collection. 

Rozek: It would need to be the right topic, but it has been an extremely rewarding process, and I would be really excited about doing it again. 

If you are interested in becoming a guest editor or publishing your research in a Springer Nature Collection visit our new Collections hub to find out more.

Related Content

• How to promote Collections on social media: Tips for guest editors 
• How publishing in a Collection ensured malaria control guidance reached policymakers 
• Unlocking research impact: What is a Springer Nature Collection? 
• What is a Collection? We Answer Your FAQs 
• Publishing to a Collection: Impact for Early Career Researchers 

Reproducibility is receiving a lot more attention in life science research and for good reason. It’s becoming a key factor in how companies manage risk, speed up innovation and build trust in their results. This blog looks at how reproducibility is evolving beyond academia and why it matters for corporate R&D teams, biotech firms and research-driven businesses. It also explores practical ways to make reproducibility part of everyday workflows, so research can move faster, scale better and deliver more value.

Reproducibility is becoming a real advantage in corporate research. When research is well-documented and easy to repeat, teams can build on previous work more smoothly, collaborate more easily and deliver results that others can rely on with confidence. It’s about making methods clear, accessible and useful so that research can move faster, scale better and support broader impact. For corporate R&D teams, reproducibility ensures that research outputs are audit-ready, traceable, and reliable across global teams and external partners. It supports data integrity, simplifies review processes and builds confidence in results.

The business value of reproducible research

Reproducibility plays a central role in meeting regulatory expectations and strengthening research integrity. Clear, consistent practices such as detailed methods, open data and standardized reporting are increasingly supported by both publishers and regulators. Tools like reproducibility checklists and transparent documentation are becoming standard across the publishing and compliance landscape, aligning with frameworks like Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

Beyond compliance, reproducibility also enables more effective collaboration. When research is well-documented and openly shared, it becomes easier for teams across industry, academia and government to align goals and build on each other’s work. Structured reporting and open data practices help make research outputs easier to interpret, replicate and integrate into new projects supporting smoother technology transfer, more productive partnerships and stronger outcomes in joint initiatives.

As Dr. Ruth Timme, GenomeTrakr Program Lead at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, highlighted in a recent webinar, reproducibility starts early in the research process. Sharing methods before discoveries are finalized can have a profound effect from enabling PhD students to contribute novel techniques to helping public health teams respond to emerging threats. This proactive approach helps create a research culture built on clarity, openness and collaboration.

A 2021 study in BMC Research Notes found that researchers who adopt reproducible practices tend to produce work that is more widely reused and cited. For companies, this translates into greater visibility, stronger influence and higher returns on research investment. Reputation grows, innovation scales and competitiveness strengthens when organizations embed reproducibility into their strategic approach, turning research investment into visible, influential returns.

Strategies that scale reproducible research

Forward-thinking companies are already taking action to adopt reproducibility as a core part of their research culture. Common strategies include:

• Standardizing protocols and data formats to ensure consistency across teams and locations.
• Investing in digital infrastructure that supports FAIR data principles, making research outputs findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable.
• Incentivizing transparent practices by aligning KPIs and performance metrics with reproducibility goals.
• Providing training and tools that help teams adopt reproducible workflows and use AI responsibly to support documentation and data quality.

As research teams grow and projects become more complex, reproducibility becomes essential to scaling effectively. Technology is playing a key role in making this possible. Digital tools and AI-powered platforms are helping teams document experiments automatically, standardize metadata and manage version control ensuring that research remains consistent and traceable, even as it expands across departments, locations, and collaborators. Structured reporting formats and digital lab notebooks make it easier to replicate and build on results, reducing friction in handovers and accelerating project timelines. Tools like protocols.io and Springer Nature Experiments support this by enabling researchers to share and adapt methods across teams and disciplines.

Turning reproducibility into a strategic advantage

Reproducibility is emerging as a strategic advantage in life science R&D, one that supports compliance, strengthens collaboration and drives long-term innovation. By embedding reproducible practices into everyday workflows, research teams can deliver results that are more transparent, scalable and ready for downstream application. Whether it’s aligning with regulatory frameworks, enabling cross-functional teamwork or increasing the visibility and impact of research outputs, reproducibility is helping organizations move faster and with greater confidence.

If you’d like to explore practical ways to support reproducibility in your research workflows, tools like protocols.io and Springer Nature Experiments are a great place to start. These platforms make it easier to share, adapt and compare experimental methods, helping teams document their work clearly, replicate results confidently and build on existing research with ease.

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• Navigating the changing landscape of drug discovery: the role of collaboration, biologics and data
• Top 5 benefits of digital labs in life sciences R&D
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• Trends and practicalities of digital transformation in life sciences R&D 
• Breakthrough therapies and blockbuster drug launches that are shaping healthcare
• The rise of generative AI: Transforming the role of information professionals 
• TDM and APIs: An introduction for information professionals
• Unravelling the Power of TDM: A Transformative Journey for Researchers
• Bridging the GAP with R&D departments: Three key challenges libraries face 
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• 7 critical messages Info Pros want R&D scientists to know

Don't miss the latest news & blogs, subscribe to The Link Alerts today!

As digital learning continues to grow, librarians are in a strong position to support students and faculty in navigating new educational technologies. One of the most impactful tools in this space is the eTextbook. These resources go beyond digital convenience, offering flexible, interactive and inclusive ways to learn. Drawing on insights from educators and authors, this blog highlights how eTextbooks are enhancing learning and how librarians are helping make that happen.

Personalized learning that adapts to students

Personalization is shaping how students engage with academic content. Modern eTextbooks are designed to support individual learning styles and are often integrated with adaptive platforms that tailor the experience to each learner’s pace, preferences, and progress. These platforms offer:

• Reading paths that adjust to student performance and interests
• Built-in quizzes and feedback to reinforce understanding
• Difficulty levels that adapt to support continued growth

“Students can engage with the material at their own pace; revisit concepts as needed and test their understanding through interactive features. It’s a much more flexible and supportive environment than traditional textbooks.” Daniela Witten, Professor of Statistics & Biostatistics, Dorothy Gilford Endowed Chair at University of Washington

For librarians, this opens opportunities to recommend resources that align with diverse learning styles. Whether supporting first-year students building foundational knowledge or advanced learners exploring complex topics, personalized eTextbooks help meet students where they are. Librarians can also collaborate with faculty to integrate these tools into course design, ensuring that students benefit from adaptive learning from day one.

Supporting microlearning with modular design

The modular structure of many eTextbooks is ideal for microlearning, an approach that breaks content into smaller, focused segments. This format works especially well for students who are balancing coursework with jobs, internships and other responsibilities. Modular eTextbooks allow students to:

• Access specific topics quickly, supporting just-in-time learning.
• Review key concepts in manageable chunks, improving retention.
• Fit study sessions into busy schedules, promoting consistent engagement.

“Students today are looking for ways to learn efficiently. Modular content allows them to dive into specific topics when they need them, without having to wade through entire chapters.” Steven Skiena, Professor of Computer Science at Stony Brook University

Librarians can use this format to create targeted resource guides; support flipped classroom models and offer curated reading lists aligned with course objectives. Modular content also supports lifelong learning, making it easier for alumni and professionals to revisit material as their careers evolve.

Encouraging engagement through interactivity

Engagement plays a vital role in effective learning, and today’s eTextbooks are designed to encourage active participation. Far from static content, these digital resources offer dynamic features that help students connect with material in meaningful ways. Common elements include:

• Videos and simulations that bring complex concepts to life
• Gamified features like badges, progress tracking and leaderboards that motivate learners
• Interactive exercises that promote exploration, experimentation and self-assessment

“Interactivity is no longer a bonus, it’s an expectation. Students respond positively to content that challenges them, rewards progress and mirrors the digital environments they’re accustomed to.” Dr. Loretta Bartolini, Editor Mathematics at Springer Nature

Librarians can play a key role in helping students discover and use these features, whether through orientation sessions, digital literacy workshops or one-on-one consultations. Interactive eTextbooks open the door to deeper engagement and collaborative learning. With features that encourage exploration and teamwork, students can connect with content more actively, share ideas and build understanding together, strengthening the sense of community in digital learning environments.

Promoting accessibility and inclusivity

Accessibility is a core value in libraries and eTextbooks are helping extend that commitment in meaningful ways. Designed to support a wide range of learners, today’s digital textbooks include features such as:

• Text-to-speech options for auditory learning and visual support
• Adjustable fonts, contrast settings and layouts to enhance readability
• Multilingual support that empowers non-native speakers to engage confidently with content

“Digital formats allow us to reach students who might otherwise struggle with traditional materials. Whether it’s through screen readers, language options, or customizable interfaces, eTextbooks are making learning more inclusive.” Dr. N.S Punekar, professor at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Inclusive learning thrives when students have access to tools that meet a variety of needs and librarians are instrumental in making that possible. Through collaboration with faculty, campus services and technology teams, librarians help ensure that eTextbooks offer meaningful accessibility features. Their advocacy for equitable licensing and inclusive platform standards further strengthens institutional efforts to support all learners.

Librarians as digital learning partners

As higher education continues to embrace digital tools, librarians are leading the way in integrating eTextbooks into academic life. Their expertise in resource evaluation, licensing, metadata and user education positions them as key contributors to meaningful and effective digital transformation. Key contributions include:

• Evaluating platforms for usability, accessibility and learning value
• Collaborating with faculty to align resources with curriculum goals
• Educating students on how to use interactive and adaptive features
• Advocating licensing models that support broad and inclusive access

“Librarians are the bridge between technology and pedagogy. Their expertise ensures that digital tools are not just available but effectively used.” Dr. Loretta Bartolini, Editor Mathematics at Springer Nature

Librarians continue to expand the impact of eTextbooks, supporting student success, enhancing teaching and shaping the future of academic resource delivery.

Shaping the future of learning

eTextbooks are reshaping how students connect with academic content. With features that support personalized learning, modular design, interactive engagement and inclusive access, they offer a flexible and forward-thinking approach to education.

For librarians, this shift presents a valuable opportunity to lead in digital innovation, ensuring that students and faculty benefit from tools that enhance learning and teaching. As education continues to evolve, libraries remain essential hubs of knowledge, technology and collaboration. Through the thoughtful integration of eTextbooks, librarians are expanding their impact, championing inclusive learning, advancing equity and helping shape a more connected and engaging academic future.

To learn more about Springer Nature’s textbook formats and how they support modern learning, visit the textbook information page. Explore the voices and ideas that inspired this article through these interviews and case studies:

• The Shift to Electronic Curriculum Materials due to the Pandemic. A Mathematics Case Study
• Investigating the increasing popularity of eTextbooks: An interview with author Dr. N.S Punekar
• An interview with statistician and author Daniela Witten
• An interview with renowned computer science author Steven Skiena

Related content

• Exploring the future of AI: Insights from Springer Nature's AI eBook Collection
• Fostering inclusivity and gender equity in engineering education
• Engineering a more inclusive future for women in STEM
• Navigating research integrity in the age of AI
• The value of short books in academic publishing

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Observations on AI and peer review from the 10th International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication 

Earlier this month I had the pleasure to attend the 10th Peer Review Congress in beautiful Chicago. The Peer Review Congress brings together editors, meta-researchers, publishers and technologists from across the world, and, like previous editions, this year was packed with excellent presentations on scholarly publishing. That inevitably meant that a big part of the program was dedicated to research integrity. And of course, like every conference in the last two years, AI was a major theme, similar to this year's Peer Review Week, Rethinking Peer Review in the AI Era. 

Several presentations at the Peer Review Congress were about studies on the use of AI by researchers or on how AI use was declared and acknowledged, and mirrored the feedback we have received as well.  A sizeable survey presented by the editorial team at The BMJ found that for authors who had disclosed the use of AI, 87% of them stated that they had used AI to improve the quality of writing, and a study by editors at JAMA reported something similar. Another similar survey involving Chinese medical researchers found that many researchers were hesitant to use AI or to self-report it on submission, noting a lack of consistent AI usage guidelines, with many different journals applying various levels of permitted usage and disclosure requirements. This hesitancy was echoed in a recent Nature survey of over 5,000 researchers, which found that although 65% considered it ethically acceptable to use AI to generate text, only 8% had done so to draft a manuscript—and most chose not to disclose it. These findings underscore a growing disconnect between ethical acceptance and actual practice, reinforcing the need for clearer, harmonised guidance across the publishing ecosystem. Publishers, including Springer Nature, are currently working together on precisely this through STM, who have released for feedback a draft report detailing a clear framework to help publishers define, evaluate, and guide the transparent use of AI in manuscript preparation. 

The same concerns apply to the use of AI in peer review. We’re already seeing some instances of AI being used in the peer review process in problematic ways: it can lead to sloppy and lazy peer review, with reviewers simply letting ChatGPT to do the work.   However, we shouldn’t think it’s not all be bad.  One relatively small-scale study by the BMJ indicates that peer review reports by LLMs 'matched or exceeded human reviewers on a few key dimensions of review quality’. These indicators included identifying strengths and weaknesses, as well as providing useful comments on the writing or the article and the organisation and presentation of the data.

Still, I believe that, fundamentally, peer review must ultimately remain a human endeavour. At its heart, peer review should be a fair and critical evaluation of a manuscript by the authors’ peers, with the ultimate goal to improve the quality of the article. Looking at it like that, simply putting papers into ChatGPT means something is lost. It’s not only about human accountability, there are other aspects that only humans can add:  

• Contextual understanding: AI may struggle to grasp the nuances of interdisciplinary research, emerging methodologies, or the significance of a study within its field. As the old adage goes, there’s no substitute for experience. 
• Ethical judgment: Machines can flag inconsistencies, but they cannot weigh the moral implications of a study’s design or its societal impact. 
• Empathy and tone: Constructive feedback is about guiding authors toward improvement as well as pointing out flaws. This requires emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. 

We shouldn't discount the numerous ways AI could support peer reviewers, as long as clear ethical boundaries are set and technologies used responsibly. This is something many of my colleagues are working on and some elements are already in testing.  

Integrity is at the core of how we view scholarly publishing. As AI itself is evolving, researchers’ and reviewers’ usage of and attitude towards the use of AI is also changing, and we need to reflect that, whilst centring our responsible AI policy and focus on integrity. This means that we continue to: 

• Evolve and communicate our policies on AI use in authorship and review  
• Support researchers with training and guidance on responsible AI use  
• Invest in tools that detect manipulation without compromising fairness 

And throughout this ongoing time of change, we must ensure that human insight, compassion, and accountability remain at the heart of the process. 

Springer Nature’s new white paper, The state of null results, based on responses from 11,069 researchers across 166 countries, is the first large-scale look at why ‘null results’ are not getting published, and why this needs to change. 

Take a closer look at this infographic which distils the key insights from the white paper, offering a visual snapshot of the main findings and recommendations.

We invite you to download the infographic and share it with your network.

For a deeper dive into the full analysis and recommendations, we invite you to read the white paper The state of null results: Insights from 11,000 researchers on negative or inconclusive results.

Related content:

• White paper: The state of null results: Insights from 11,000 researchers on negative or inconclusive results
• Blog post: The state of null results: A new survey of researchers. An interview with Ritu Dhand, Chief Scientific Officer, Springer Nature
• Infographic: The value of publishing null results
• Blog post: The value of null results: How Discover champions inclusive science

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Research metrics are increasingly central to how academic work is evaluated, yet many researchers struggle to navigate the growing array of indicators. This blog shares insights from a recent ONOS Researcher Connect webinar that explored the fundamentals of research metrics, their role in academic publishing and how institutions can support more confident, responsible use. It also reflects the importance of metrics literacy as part of a broader, more holistic approach to research assessment.

As research assessment frameworks evolve globally, institutions and funders are under growing pressure to promote responsible metrics use. Yet awareness among researchers remains low. According to 'The State of Research Assessment' white paper only 50% of researchers are aware of reform initiatives within their institutions and of those, 40% perceive little to no change. This disconnect may stem from the fact that assessment often happens at the faculty or research group level, making institutional efforts less visible. Awareness and education are therefore essential to drive meaningful, large-scale changes.

That’s why structured, accessible training on research metrics is more important than ever. It not only supports institutional strategy but also empowers researchers to make informed publishing decisions and evaluate their own impact more confidently.

This global need for metrics literacy was reflected in a recent national webinar hosted as part of the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) webinar series. The session, titled ‘Understanding Research Metrics: Essential Tools for Academic Excellence’, drew over 1,450 attendees from across India’s academic community and focused on demystifying the tools and indicators that shape research visibility and evaluation. The session aimed to clarify:

• What different metrics to measure
• How to interpret and apply them in publishing decisions
• The role of alternative metrics in capturing broader impact

Guiding the discussion was Sonal Shukla, Head of Indexing, whose presentation helped demystify both foundational and advanced metrics. From Impact Factor and h-index to CiteScore, SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), and the Journal Citation Indicator (JCI), the session offered a comprehensive overview tailored to both early-career researchers and seasoned academics.

This emphasis on researcher development aligns with broader institutional priorities, such as promoting ethical research practices, a theme explored in the blog “How libraries enhance research ethics for researchers”.

How metrics education supports research strategy

With over 200 audience questions and a satisfaction score of 8.78/10, the session revealed a strong appetite for structured, accessible training on metrics. For research offices and librarians, this kind of engagement signals:

• A need for scalable researcher development tools
• Opportunities to align with responsible metrics principles
• A chance to support strategic publishing and visibility goals

These insights echo findings from the recent blog “The state of research assessment: Insights from a survey of 6,600+ researchers” which highlights the gap between researcher confidence and institutional expectations around metrics use.

Balancing metrics with qualitative indicators of impact

While the session focused on understanding research metrics, it also underscored the importance of using these tools as part of a broader, more holistic approach to research assessment. Metrics can offer valuable insights into visibility and influence, but they should be complemented by qualitative indicators such as peer recognition, societal relevance, and collaboration outcomes. This balanced perspective aligns with global reform efforts, including the Leiden Manifesto, which advocates for using quantitative evaluation only in support of expert assessment and the DORA principles, which call for recognizing a broader range of research outputs and impacts.

“Metrics are powerful tools, but they’re not the whole story. We need to combine them with qualitative insights to truly understand the value and impact of research especially in diverse and interdisciplinary fields.” - Sonal Shukla, Head of Indexing at Springer Nature. 

Building researcher confidence and engagement

Just as mentorship programmes help early-career researchers navigate publishing and career decisions. Initiatives like the ONOS webinar series play a vital role in raising awareness of the tools and resources available to support research evaluation. By demystifying research metrics and showcasing their practical applications, these sessions help researchers better understand what’s available and why it matters, helping them to act with confidence and clarity.

Interactive polls and a lively Q&A segment encouraged reflection and engagement, turning the webinar into a dynamic learning experience. Discussion covered everything from the role of regulatory bodies in metrics to how researchers can balance qualitative and quantitative indicators of impact.

One attendee described it as “one of the most enriching academic webinars I have attended in recent times,” reflecting the session’s ability to translate complex concepts into actionable insights.

Empowering research offices and libraries to drive impact

As research institutions continue to adapt to evolving assessment frameworks, scalable learning opportunities like this webinar series are proving essential. By equipping researchers with a clearer understanding of metrics, libraries and research offices can strengthen their role as strategic partners in advancing research quality and visibility. With more sessions on the horizon, this growing knowledge hub is helping institutions build lasting capacity for responsible, informed, and impactful research practices.

The ONOS webinar offered valuable insights into how researchers can use metrics more effectively, but it’s just one part of a broader dialogue around research assessment reform. 

For a deeper understanding of how institutions and researchers navigate this evolving landscape, explore the white paper ‘The State of Research Assessment: Researcher Perspectives on Evaluation Practices’. It shares perspectives from over 6,600 researchers worldwide on current practices, challenges, and opportunities for more holistic and responsible approaches to evaluating research.

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• Impact through mentorship: The ECR Program expands
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Startups need more than just great products or services to succeed. A thorough understanding of what intellectual property (IP) is, its value to your business, and how to protect it is essential for success. We consulted attorneys at IP law firm Fish & Richardson (commonly known as “Fish”), to create this blog introducing key IP concepts and the risk of neglecting them. If you’re a founder, leader, or R&D/product manager in biotech and engineering, this is essential reading.

What is intellectual property (IP)?

Generally, “IP” refers to creations of the mind. A broad category, IP can include inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; proprietary information; and symbols, names, and images used in commerce. The main forms of legal protections for IP assets are patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. IP rights are property rights that give their owners the right to exclude others from the subject matter they cover, similar to the way a deed gives a landowner the right to evict trespassers.

Patents protect technological inventions, which can be broadly defined as machines, processes, manufactures, and/or compositions of matter. They last for a period of 20 years and are not renewable. Copyrights protect original works of authorship like books, movies, music, and theatrical productions. Like patents, they have a limited lifespan, which in many countries, such as the US, UK, and EU member states, is the length of the author’s life plus 70 years. Trademarks are words, symbols, logos, jingles, etc., that identify the source of products or services and distinguish them from those of others. Unlike patents and copyrights, they can last forever with continued use. Trade secrets are confidential information that gives businesses an edge over competitors, and they remain enforceable for as long as the information is kept secret.

For startups, patents and copyright are often the most immediate considerations, which are the main focus of this blog.

Patent law fundamentals

Patent law is essentially a bargain between inventors and society; inventors share their innovations publicly, and in return, the government gives them the exclusive right to stop others from using those innovations for a set time.

Despite a common misconception about patents, the purpose of a patent is not to provide an affirmative right to make, use, or sell your own invention; rather, it is the opposite. The essence of a patent right is the ability to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing the invention during the term of the patent without a license.

In other words, owning a patent doesn’t necessarily mean you can use the invention it covers freely; you can do that only if the invention doesn’t infringe on anyone else’s patent. For example, if you create a diagnostic test that uses a patented detection method, you’ll need a license to the detection method, even if you have a patent on the diagnostic test you created. Failure to obtain the proper licenses can expose startups to costly and potentially devasting patent infringement litigation.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has several conditions inventors must meet for their inventions to be patentable. At a very high level, the invention must be:

• Not a law of nature, natural phenomenon, or abstract idea
• Useful in the real world
• New and “non-obvious”
• Sufficiently well-described

Copyright basics for startups

Unlike patents, copyrights are automatic; they come into existence as soon as an original work is created in a fixed format. This could occur, for example, when an artist puts a paintbrush to canvas, a musician records a song to a digital audio file, or a photographer captures an image on film.  Nonetheless, copyright owners should still register their works with their country’s copyright office, which, among other benefits, makes them easier to enforce in infringement actions. As well as safeguarding your own copyright, it’s important to make sure you aren’t infringing on or illegally accessing others’ copyrighted material.

The value of an IP strategy, and how to build one

A strong IP strategy can increase your company’s valuation and assure investors that your innovations are unique and defensible. Robust IP protection also ensures that competitors cannot easily replicate your work, thereby securing your competitive edge. And it’s not just individual patents that matter; a large and diverse portfolio of IP assets indicates broader market coverage and reduced risk.

“Investors look favourably on startups with layers of patent protection, including both broad and narrowly tailored claims protecting the innovation,” advise IP attorneys Matthew Colvin, Jillian Shapiro, and Giordana Mahn. They recommend building a portfolio that spans a range of IP types.

Their colleague Peter Fasse says that startups should think beyond their specific technology, product, or process in patent applications. “Draft your patent applications to cover various alternative embodiments aside from the company's specific product,” says Fasse. “The market may ultimately adopt an alternative solution that… was not detailed in the patent application. Brainstorm and try to cover the ‘big picture.’”

Securing IP rights can be expensive, so prioritize the IP assets that best support and align with your business strategy. Also keep in mind that IP rights are location-based, and expanding globally requires filing in each market. Prioritising key markets will help to balance cost and complexity. “It is critical to develop a realistic budget for your IP, which can be the core value in a startup company,” Fasse notes.

Who owns your IP?

Under U.S. law, companies do not automatically own the IP of innovations created by employees, contractors, consultants, or other partners unless those individuals assign them to the company in writing. Startups must thus ensure that the IP rights coming out of their R&D departments are properly assigned to avoid conflicts of ownership. If a patent has more than one owner, each owner holds a 100% undivided interest in the patent. Ownership can be transferred, but each owner still has the full right to license or assign their interest as they choose.

In a recent webinar on IP Agreements, Fish attorneys noted that startups that use employment contracts should “include provisions related to IP assignment… and should ideally be executed before the employee starts working for the company.”

“It’s important to get on the same page while the parties are on good terms and to be clear about what is company IP and what is not company IP,” Fasse adds.

Over the last decade, there has been a huge rise in university spinouts – startups created to commercialise academic research – particularly in life sciences and engineering. While universities often provide the launchpads startups need, they may also retain ownership claims to the spun-out startup’s IP, which can lessen its value. Such complex ownership issues make it even more important for spun-out startups to nail down inventorship, ownership, and patent licensing early in their life cycle.

IP protection as a source of value

IP law can be complex and varies by location, so it’s essential to take legal advice early on. Proactively protecting IP can enhance a startup’s valuation and ability to protect its innovations. Neglecting IP, both your own and others, could result in a loss of value to your business, reputational damage, or even legal action.

Generative AI will also raise new questions for IP. While precedent is beginning to emerge establishing that a ‘significant contribution’ by a human will make an invention eligible for patent protection, this is still an evolving area. Startups should be mindful of how and when they use AI in their innovation processes and keep detailed records.

Fish’s IP monetization guide for startups is a helpful tool for assessing the standing of your IP strategy, giving you an idea of what to expect before seeking funding.

Discover how Springer Nature helps start-ups with innovation at our resource centre, where you will find trend reports and case studies such as:

• The Digital Transformation of R&D: Navigating the Digital Lab and Solutions for Efficiency
• From Research to Patent and Back Again: The research needs of R&D professionals
• Webinars including: 1) Decoding discovery: Unleashing innovation through TDM; 2) An intro to text and data mining for data scientists

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At Springer Nature, we serve a diverse and dynamic research community. From researchers to readers, from research funders to institutions, and niche disciplines to society at large. Each group has its own unique needs, goals and challenges. To truly serve these players, we need to understand them. That’s where market research comes in. 

Through surveys, interviews, and other forms of qualitative and quantitative research, we are able to gather insights straight from the communities we serve. These insights help us develop new and existing products and services. Because we ensure we listen and learn from what we hear, hopefully this also fosters trust and greater engagement from the research community.  

Beyond this, we also dive into a diverse range of key topics that are meaningful to our audiences and the advancement of science and scholarship. This includes white papers on research integrity, peer review, the significance of open data, research assessment, and concerns about AI. Internally, this provides Springer Nature with a better understanding of the wider research and scholarly publishing landscape.   

But it’s not just about internal improvements. We also share our findings back with the research community in the form of white papers, articles, blog posts and open data platforms like Figshare, so others can benefit from them and conduct their own analysis. Let’s take a closer look at some of the insights we’ve uncovered through recent work. 

Surprising insights – what the data reveals

Sometimes, the most valuable insights are the ones we didn’t expect. For example, we conducted a survey in partnership with Nature to explore research integrity training in Australia, UK, US, India, Japan, China, and Brazil. While we had heard anecdotally from researchers that training was often lacking, we were surprised by just how rare it is. We found that only 7–29% of researchers in any country surveyed were required to demonstrate understanding via a mandatory test. These findings are explored in our white paper on research integrity, which recommends stronger institutional leadership and tailored hybrid training to embed research integrity across academia. 

Similarly, our researcher social media survey, which has been conducted since 2014, has revealed how usage patterns have shifted over time. A decade ago, researchers primarily turned to social media to connect with peers. Since then, social media has become a much more common way to discover and read research content. In 2024, three-quarters of active researchers worldwide reported using social media platforms for work-related purposes, with 82% of them relying on these platforms to find research content. 

Why collaboration strengthens our research 

Although Springer Nature’s Market Intelligence team is specialised in the design and implementation of market research, we don’t work in isolation. We collaborate with teams across departments such as editorial, publishing, marketing, communications, product, and customer service. These teams offer expert knowledge to help us ask the right questions, ensure our research is grounded in real-world needs and hopefully avoid corporate-speak!

This collaborative approach leads to shared ownership of the findings, which makes it more likely that insights will be acted upon. We understand researchers are extremely busy and have competing demands for their time, so, we prioritise research where findings will be actioned to improve products and services for the research community.  

For example, across various surveys and one-to-one interviews with journal authors, we identified that there was limited awareness and understanding of open access funding available to them. In response, we recommended to the UX Research and product teams at Springer Nature the need to enhance our Journal Finder tool for authors to access clear information about various sources of funding that could be used to cover an APC (article processing charge). This tool now displays the full APC price and identifies whether an  author’s institution has signed an agreement with Springer Nature to fully or partially cover the APC.

But we can only reflect the voices of those who take part in our research activities. That’s why we encourage our community members to participate. Your input really does help to shape the future of research communication. 

Looking ahead – what's next? 

There are quite a few upcoming initiatives that we’re excited about! Our work continues to explore the evolving needs, challenges, and opportunities facing the research community. Here are just a few of the areas we’re currently focusing on: 

• ‘The State of Null results’: We’ll be sharing findings from new research regarding the role and value of negative or null results in the scientific record. 

• Bias in Academic Publishing: Exploring perceptions of bias in scholarly publishing and what can be done to address it. 

• AI in Research: Understanding how researchers and institutions access and make use of AI tools, and how this is reshaping research communication.

• Global social media survey 2025: We’re launching another follow-up of our global social media survey to explore how researchers are navigating the evolving digital environment.

Want to take part and share your voice? Sign up to our research panel to receive invitations to participate in upcoming research. 

To our research participants:  

Thank you to the tens of thousands of you who have contributed to our research activities in recent years – your input is invaluable. We can only represent the voice of those who participate in our research activities – which is why it’s important that anyone invited takes part and has their say! 

Takeaways from SciFoo 2025

As my team will attest, I remain fascinated with how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we conduct science, make discoveries, and translate them into progress. The last year has offered striking proof of this transformation. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognised the breakthrough contributions of Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker for using AI to solve protein structures—ending a decades-old grand challenge in biology that will accelerate drug discovery (and published in Nature, no less). In Physics, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton were honored for pioneering work in neural networks—foundations that underpin the AI systems we now use every day. Beyond these milestones, we also see AI accelerating discovery in additional areas such as materials science with DeepMind’s GNoME, in climate forecasting via GraphCast, and even in astronomy, where NASA applies AI to detect exoplanets and analyze the cosmos.

These examples underscore a pivotal truth: AI is not an adjunct to science—it is the accelerator of scientific progress. With this perspective, I travelled to the Bay Area and joined SciFoo 2025, an extraordinary unconference co-hosted by Digital Science, Google, O’Reilly, and Nature. Across conversations with scientists, technologists, and thought leaders, five themes stood out to me on how AI is reshaping discovery. 

Publishing for Machines

The traditional unit of science has been paper. But as AI agents increasingly become both readers and authors of research, we must ask: Is a paper enough? Perhaps the true unit of science is the experiment, shared in modular, reproducible formats. Tools like Jupyter Notebooks already enable scientists to present methods, code, and data in executable form, driving reproducibility and open science. Projects like FutureHouse.org, led by Andrew White, are pushing this vision further—designing AI agents that automate aspects of discovery in biology, from hypothesis generation to experiment planning. Is rethinking publishing for machines, not just humans, the next great inflection point in science? And if it is, what are the implications for publishers?

Decentralised Intelligence

A highlight of SciFoo was hearing from Prof. Ramesh Raskar at MIT about Project NANDA. NANDA explores a future of decentralised intelligence—an “Internet of AI agents” that collaborate across trustless networks. Imagine scientific experiments, peer review, and replication shared not through central servers, but across distributed systems where provenance, transparency, and speed are built into the architecture itself. This could democratize access to scientific infrastructure, reduce bottlenecks, and accelerate progress by orders of magnitude. It’s a continuation of a lineage that runs deep: Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web (WWW) at CERN in the early 1990s to help physicists share research papers more easily. Later, Google’s PageRank algorithm was inspired by the way citations in scientific literature measure influence, turning scholarly referencing into the foundation for web search. In the same spirit, initiatives like project NANDA could drive the next great leap in science, innovation, and discovery through decentralised intelligence.

Democratising Science Communication

Science matters only when it is understood. Communicating directly to taxpayers—the ultimate funders of much scientific research—on issues like climate science, the energy transition, or drug discovery is vital. Today’s AI tools can make this communication both accessible and compelling. Google’s Veo 3 enables high-quality video generation, while Adobe Firefly allows creative, on-demand visuals. Together, they give researchers new ways to turn complex findings into infographics, explainers, and short-form content.

Just as importantly, we must meet younger audiences on platforms of their choice. Gen Z learns through TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. If we want to educate and inspire the next generation, we publishers must be ready to translate science into their formats and languages, without losing nuance. AI can help scale this democratisation of science communication—bringing discoveries to millions in ways that inform, inspire, and build trust.

The Future of Books

Books have always been humanity’s vessels of knowledge. They will continue to educate, entertain, and inspire us—whether in print, digital, audio, video, or even AR formats. Personally, I still enjoy the quiet, distraction-free experience of a print book. Yet consumption habits are changing. Springer Nature’s Books + Courses are one example of how content is becoming multimodal.

The next frontier is interactive books with AI. Imagine being able to query a book directly, ask clarifying questions, generate tailored summaries, or test your understanding. Tools like NotebookLM hint at this future. In a memorable conversation with Peter Norvig, we explored how books could become living, conversational companions—combining the timeless depth of long-form knowledge with the responsiveness of AI.

Pop-Up Journals for Policy Impact

Finally, I was intrigued by the potential of Pop-Up Journals. These are agile, rapid-response publishing platforms created to address urgent policy questions. Instead of waiting months or years for traditional journals, policymakers could access rigorously reviewed, thematic collections of research at the moment decisions need to be made. Whether it’s climate adaptation, pandemic preparedness, or AI governance, pop-up journals could serve as a bridge between the speed of science and the urgency of policy.

Looking Ahead

SciFoo 2025 reaffirmed that AI is not only accelerating the mechanics of science but transforming its communication, accessibility, and societal relevance. At Springer Nature, our mission is to is to be part of progress by enabling millions of researchers, educators, learners and health professionals to access, trust and make sense of the latest insights and discoveries – every day. In this new era, progress will be driven not just by human creativity but by the collaboration of humans, machines, and communities across the globe.

AI is the accelerating force of progress—and the journey has only just begun.

Welcome to a new blog series, where researchers take the spotlight to share their experiences publishing open access (OA). Why did they choose to publish their work OA? How did they cover article processing charges (APCs)? What was the impact of their OA publication? Hear directly from authors who’ve done it, and gain practical insights from their journeys.

In today’s blog, we are joined by a clinician-researcher from Hospices Civils de Lyon, France, who published an OA article in the journal Intensive Care Medicine last year. We heard from them about choosing to publish OA and the process of publishing under Springer’s transformative agreement (TA) with the Couperin Consortium in France, which covered the cost of publishing the article OA.

TAs are a type of OA agreement, which enable researchers in participating institutions to publish OA with fees covered in journals included in the agreement. 

Welcome to the series! Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background? 

I am a medical intensivist, with a background in nephrology, currently working at Hospices Civils de Lyon, France. My research interests are acute respiratory distress syndrome and ventilator-induced lung injuries, as well as advanced hemodynamics in the management of fluid removal and fluid balance management. 

In 2024, you published an article on fluid removal strategy. Why did you choose to publish it gold OA, making it immediately freely available to all? 

We had the opportunity to publish the results of a randomised controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a fluid removal strategy guided by advanced hemodynamic monitoring in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy. Publishing our results as an OA article in the journal Intensive Care Medicine was a wonderful achievement as it is the most recognised journal in our field, and benefits from a very large readership. With gold OA, our results may gain greater visibility, allowing others to discuss, criticise, reproduce, or comment on our data.  

This was my first RCT (randomised controlled trial) published in a first-rank journal. I can already say that most of my colleagues that I have encountered over the last few months have read it and returned comments about it. I believe that publishing this article OA might have helped the paper to reach a greater audience more rapidly. 

Hospices Civils de Lyon is a participating institution of the France Couperin OA agreement with Springer Nature. How did you become aware of this agreement, and what has been your experience publishing under it? 

My institution communicated to all its members about the agreement. Publishing under the agreement was easy and fast, and it clearly facilitated OA publication. 

Do you think OA options and benefits are well understood in your discipline? What are the specific barriers or challenges to OA publishing in your field? 

I believe most medical researchers clearly understand the benefits of OA publications. The main limitation to it is, in my sense, that it usually implies higher APCs, which is always an issue when funding and resources are scarce. However, there are many institutions which offers financial support for publishing gold OA through an OA agreement and the France Couperin agreement is a good example.  

How would you define the societal impact of research, and how is publishing OA related to it?  

Research is one of the key activities for human progress, and in my field, it is a never-ending process aiming to improve patient care. As I see it, researchers exist for society, they work for society. Considering the support they receive from society, research and clinical institutions, scientific societies, and patient associations, researchers have the obligation to share their results with transparency, with the important role of peer-reviewing being key in ensuring the highest degree of quality. OA clearly lies in this line of thought, by allowing access to all.  

To any researcher considering publishing their work OA I would say: If you have the opportunity and possibility to do it, go for it! 

Springer Nature’s OA agreement for Couperin Consortium in France

The Couperin agreement enables authors affiliated with a participating French institution to publish OA in over 2,200 Springer, Palgrave, and Adis journals with fees covered. Researchers in participating institutions also enjoy full access to all Springer, Adis, and Palgrave subscription journal content.  

Since the Couperin agreement came into effect mid- 2024, OA uptake in France nearly doubled as compared with the years prior, across various disciplines: 

OA agreements, like the Couperin agreement, offer eligible authors the most straightforward and accessible route to publish OA with fees covered, and to enjoy the benefits of making their work available to anyone, anywhere.  

Learn more about APCs and how you can identify your eligibility for financial support to publish your work OA. You can also visit our new OA agreements pages to find out whether your institution is part of a Springer Nature OA agreement.

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Research assessment has become a central topic in conversations about the future of science. Traditionally dominated by quantitative metrics such as Journal Impact Factors and citation counts, it is increasingly being reimagined to reflect a broader set of values – such as openness, collaboration, societal impact, and research integrity. As a result, research assessment reform has become a multifaceted and evolving concept, sitting at the intersection of many academic, cultural, and policy-driven priorities.

At the recent Metascience Conference in London, a panel of experts from across the academic community – representing funders, institutions, publishers and advocacy groups – came together to explore the complexities of reforming how research is evaluated:

• Chair: James Morris, Senior Policy Officer, Science Europe
• Zoé Ancion, Head of the Open Science Unit at the French National Research Agency (ANR)
• Kelly Cobey, Scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and Co-Chair of The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA)
• Elizabeth Gadd, Head of Research Culture and Assessment at Loughborough University, and Vice Chair of The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA)
• Ed Gerstner, Director of Research Environment Alliances, Springer Nature
• Alex Rushforth, Assistant Professor, Leiden University
• Bregt Saenen, Senior Policy Officer for Open Science, Science Europe

This blog post outlines some of the key themes that emerged from the discussion.

The complexities of research assessment reform

In his introduction to the session, James highlighted that research assessment reform is a convening point for many policy initiatives: open science, integrity and ethics, diversity and inclusion, and others. However, this makes the conversation very complex, with a number of tensions and interconnections that are often difficult to navigate.

From her experience as Vice Chair of CoARA, Elizabeth echoed this sentiment. While she stressed the importance of research assessment reform efforts to the success of many related agendas, she acknowledged that the range of separate reform efforts makes it harder to define and measure the “success” of individual initiatives as they all work together to achieve common goals.

Alex followed this by sharing some findings from his recent preprint, exploring lessons learned from the Netherlands, which has one of the world’s most advanced national assessment reform initiatives. He described existing assessment systems as a “wicked problem”, arising as a symptom of many other systemic issues such as outdated career structures, problematic leadership, entrenched research cultures, and competitive funding mechanisms. This means that in order for reform initiatives to be truly effective, they need to address many different challenges simultaneously – something that is far easier in theory than in practice.

Addressing the gap between intention and action

Panellists acknowledged that progress has been made in recent years toward more holistic and inclusive evaluation systems. There has been strong mobilisation of support, with growing buy-in from institutions, funders, and publishers, and many policy changes have been introduced aiming to reduce reliance on publication metrics.

However, reforms are by no means ubiquitous or complete – particularly at the researcher level, where a lot of evaluation takes place, but culture is more ingrained. Ed shared data from a recent Springer Nature survey of 6,600+ researchers which found that most respondents are currently assessed entirely or mostly based on metrics (such as number of papers published), but the majority feel that the ideal research assessment would be less reliant on research outputs, and involve an equal balance of quantitative and qualitative measures.

Alex and Kelly both highlighted the difficulty of encouraging behaviour change at all levels within the research ecosystem. Kelly explained that leadership at many institutions have reached out to her after signing DORA, unsure of how to get started with implementing its principles – especially because there is no “one-size-fits-all" approach. She stressed the importance of providing practical resources, for example DORA’s recently published guide to implementing responsible research assessment. Alex added that we also need more effective ways of targeting researchers, specialist research fields and “gatekeepers” with reform messages to improve awareness to those who are not yet engaged with the conversation.

The intersection of research assessment and open science

Given the panel’s strong representation from the open science community, a key focus was how research assessment can better support and incentivise open science practices.

Bregt shared the outcomes from a survey of Science Europe’s member organisations, which found that open science elements are widely included in funding requirements for research projects – however, approaches vary, and can often be focused on more established OS practices such as open access publishing and FAIR data. Zoé emphasised the role that funders could play in shifting norms by embedding broader open science criteria into grant requirements and project evaluations, something ANR is actively pursuing as part of its commitments to DORA and CoARA.

Both Bregt and Zoé noted that there are still open questions about how best to include open science practices in research assessment: Should open science be assessed through dedicated criteria or through narrative descriptions within scientific quality criteria? Should evaluations focus on individuals, institutions, or both? And how can we effectively and collectively implement and monitor these changes?

Collaborating across movements, nations and organisations

Questions like the above led to some debate amongst the panellists, underscoring the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration across the research ecosystem.

Elizabeth stressed the need for “global collective action”, outlining CoARA’s approach to engendering reforms by building a community united by shared commitments and working towards one ultimate outcome: A research ecosystem that provides the best conditions for the best research to take place. This involves working closely with other research assessment reform initiatives, as well as other related movements like open science. Kelly echoed this from DORA’s perspective, noting that sharing learnings is key so we can avoid duplication of efforts and move forward more quickly.

From the publisher side, Ed reinforced that Journal Impact Factors should not be used to assess individual researchers and their contributions to research, and expressed that Springer Nature wants to continue collaborating with the broader research community to communicate this position and facilitate change. He also urged that as we move to reform research assessment, we make sure to include the perspectives of stakeholders everywhere, particularly those in the Global South (noting that survey respondents from Asia and Africa were more likely to report that they are assessed on their contribution to solving global challenges and to the national interest, versus those in North America and Europe).

Building a better future for research assessment

The session closed with reflections on what successful research assessment reform might look like. Each speaker offered a different perspective, but all pointed toward a more thoughtful, values-driven system.

Bregt and Kelly spoke to the importance of collaboration, bringing together different goals to accelerate progress and bridge the gap between policy and practice. With metascience being the theme of the conference, Alex and Zoé added that robust research on research is key to make sure we are moving forwards in the correct way. And finally, Elizabeth and Ed shared their visions for an ideal future: one where there are no longer any financial incentives to create fake papers, and the research community is measuring what we truly value.

Reform starts with understanding. Download the white paper The State of Research Assessment to learn what researchers really think and how we can move forward together.

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Open data is fast becoming an essential component of scholarly communication. Our latest State of Open Data report suggests that open data is on the brink of becoming a standard, recognised and supported scholarly output, globally, and that sharing data helps to create a more equitable, fairer, and less wasteful research ecosystem. Here, we look at why sharing your research data benefits you and the wider scientific community, and we offer practical tips on where to begin.

The foundation of robust, transparent research

We believe that sharing all outputs of research helps advance discovery by making research more transparent, more robust, and by accelerating research progress. In our ongoing open science blog series, we’ve looked at a number of different open science practices, including sharing protocols and code, and how we are actively enabling open science practices across our portfolio.

Sharing your data is a foundation of open science. But what exactly do we mean by data? Depending on the type of research you conduct and the discipline you work in, data can mean nearly any type of file, including text, audio, or images. Data can be qualitative, quantitative, analogue, or digital. Any output that underpins your research is valuable data.

Data management and sharing is increasingly following what are known as the FAIR principles to make data genuinely useful to others. By making data findable, accessible, interoperable (or machine readable) and reusable increases the transparency and reproducibility of your work, reduces duplication and wasteful repetition of research results, and ultimately increases trust in science. 

Researchers worldwide are linking publications to datasets

The State of Open Data survey shows that the number of researchers who share data is steadily growing. Importantly, the report also shows that Springer Nature’s research articles are increasingly published with data availability statements. These statements offer clear descriptions of how researchers have made their data available, enabling others to understand how to find, use, and re-use their data. They may also include links to publicly available data, if it is available in a repository. Linking your open data to a published article enables more researchers to explore, validate and build on your work, strengthening credibility. 

Credit for open data

Beyond supporting other researchers, openly sharing data offers you many direct benefits. Data sharing via repositories has been shown to increase citations for both the paper and its datasets. The State of Open Data found that citations remain one of the top reasons why researchers share their data. There are a number of suggested reasons for this citation benefit: the public availability increases visibility and engagement with your work, which in turn increases the potential for reuse, making the research more likely to be cited. Also, when the data is openly shared, it may signal to other researchers that it can be trusted. Through repositories or data publication, open data also includes persistent identifiers (PIDs) which make it possible to track metrics such as reuse and impact, making it possible to assign credit to all individual contributions to research. 

Funders and journals with requirements for data sharing

Funder policies are increasingly requiring grantees to share their data (see for example, NIH, or Wellcome). These requirements are also driving data sharing practices. For example, the State of Open Data shows that countries with established policies (such as across Europe) have higher levels of sharing.

The State of Open Data also recommends that, for publishers, combining policy with an easy to action workflow is essential if we want more researchers to share their data. That’s why we created our unified data policy for all journals and books, making it simple for our authors to know what is expected of them. 

Springer Nature’s data policy – what you need to know

• All original articles must include a data availability statement explaining where and how to access the data (and here’s more on how to do it).
• We encourage you to share your data in a repository. There is guidance on what to consider when selecting a repository, for example some disciplines have a dedicated repository that is recognised within the community, while others may require a generalist repository. A key note is that good repositories should provide a PID which can also be cited by others, giving you more credit for your work.
• We recommend that data is as open as possible and as restricted as necessary. It isn’t always appropriate to publish your data openly, for example when it is sensitive (such as human data) or proprietary. You should always apply appropriate restrictions before sharing data. You can find more guidance on sensitive data sharing.

Top tips for getting started with data sharing

Whichever route you choose, sharing your data is a vital step toward a more transparent, trustworthy research ecosystem. Here are our three top tips to get you started:

1. Plan early. It’s important to think about how you’ll manage, document, and share research data as early as possible during your research, and certainly well ahead of publication.
2. Ensure data is available for peer review: reviewers and editors may request to see your data as part of the peer review process to inform their evaluation of your work.
3. Check which repository is most appropriate for your work.

For support and advice, check out our research data community site, or contact our Data helpdesk. 

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• This blog is part of an open science blog series. Find out more about open code and open protocols.

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As a Managing Editor for Scientific Reports, I have had the immense pleasure of working with leading experts who are helping to solve the most pressing issues that face our world. Our Collections have played a key role in reinforcing Springer Nature’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainability Goals (SDGs). In this blog I reveal how  Scientific Reports is at the forefront of the scientific community when it comes to driving solutions that address SDG number 13: safeguarding our future by addressing climate change.

The Arctic is often called the ‘first frontier’ when it comes to climate change, and for a good reason. It’s where the planet’s warming is most visible, rapid, and consequential. In fact, the Arctic is warming at over three times that of the global annual average. It stands as a stark reminder of why our commitment matters; it's where the first, and arguably most important, chapter of global warming is being written.  

Below is a curated series of past and present Collections that illustrate the efforts of our research communities in addressing climate change in the Arctic and beyond. As an open access journal, Scientific Reports ensures that critical climate research, especially on vulnerable regions like the Arctic, is freely available to scientists and policymakers, accelerating global responses to climate change.

Sustainable Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications in Harsh Conditions   

Led by Guest Editors Sehoon Chang & Wei Wang Aramco Research Center-Boston, USA 

A key challenge for the Arctic research community is monitoring permafrost thaw and declining sea-ice levels across a vast and geographically demanding region. The infrequent expeditions of the past are no longer sufficient to keep up with the rapid changes that are driven by climate change. This calls for the development of remote monitoring and sensing technologies that can reliably operate in sub-zero conditions, sometimes below -40 °C. These materials must not only withstand extreme cold, but they must also consider other harsh environmental factors such as salinity and pressure. 

This is where Scientific Reports’ Collection, “Sustainable Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications in Harsh Conditions,” plays a vital role. By welcoming research in nanotechnology and bioengineering, it fosters groundbreaking innovation in sustainable materials that can address real-world Arctic challenges. This research is vital to enhancing the durability of monitoring infrastructure, and in ensuring consistent performance in extreme environments. 

Advances in sustainable manufacturing practices 

Led by Guest Editors Giancarlo Cravotto, University of Turin, Italy, & Ali Karrech, University of Western Australia, Australia 

Sustainable manufacturing can play a vital role in mitigating climate change. By embracing developments in green production methods and renewable energy, to name a few, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the Arctic is one of Earth’s most fragile and ruralised regions, minimising industrial footprint is crucial. Innovations in eco-friendly materials manufacturing will help to ensure that manufacturing decisions support long-term environmental health. These efforts not only curb emissions but also protect fragile and untouched ecosystems from pollutants and climate-change disruption.

Cement and Concrete Innovation for Construction 

A cross-journal collaboration, hosted by the Scientific Reports journal, alongside the Nature Communications and Communications Materials journals. 

Innovations in sustainable cement and concrete technologies can also significantly help address climate change. In the Arctic, where infrastructure must withstand extreme conditions, durable materials reduce the need for frequent repairs and resource-intensive rebuilding. Additionally, some technologies, such as CO2-sequestering concrete, actively remove carbon from the atmosphere. As highlighted in Scientific Reports’ Cement and Concrete Innovation for Construction Collection, these innovations support both climate change goals (SDG 13) and responsible consumption (SDG 12), making them essential in preserving fragile ecosystems and paving the way for low-carbon infrastructure that is resilient. 

Targeted Degradation 

Led by David Dougan, La Trobe University, Australia, Shiqing Xu, Texas A&M University, United States, & Yujun Zhao, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, China. 

The Arctic is warming fast, and we need new tools to protect its fragile environment. Developments in one particularly exciting area of science, targeted protein degradation, could prove vital. Although frequently researched in its capacity to treat diseases, because this technology can break down specific proteins in cells, it might be used in the future to clean up pollution, control harmful microbes, or help Arctic plants and animals adapt to changes from climate change.  

In exploring how these tools work and where they can be applied, researchers submitting to the Targeted Degradation Collection will contribute to new ways of protecting the Arctic and other vulnerable global ecosystems.

Driving Climate Change Action  

Scientific Reports continues to champion accessible science that meets, what is arguably, the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Through curated and multidisciplinary Collections that span sustainable materials, construction, and emerging technologies like targeted degradation, our Collections provide a space for researchers and their ingenuity in tackling climate change.  

By making this research freely available, we empower global collaboration and inform decision-making across borders, including in the Arctic, where the stakes are highest. As the region transforms before our eyes, Scientific Reports will remain committed to publishing impactful science that drives solutions for a more sustainable future.  

Scientific Reports is an open access journal publishing original research from across all areas of the natural sciences, psychology, medicine and engineering. As the 5th most-cited journal in the world, we offer authors a trustworthy and highly respected home for their research. Explore our Collections.

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It’s an all-too-common experience: You spend months designing and conducting your research, only to find that the results don’t support your original hypothesis. Now what? In a scholarly landscape where null, inconclusive, or negative results often go unreported, the experience can be frustrating at best and demotivating at worst.

With their broad and inclusive remit, Discover journals encourage researchers to reframe their understandable frustration and celebrate these results by sharing them broadly. After all, the “failure” they came up with is a mechanism for scientific progress.

Springer Nature recently published the first large-scale survey on how researchers feel about null results. 98% of researchers recognise the value of shared negative results, and virtually every researcher will encounter null results at some point in their career. In fact, the survey found that 53% of researchers have run a project that generated solely or mostly null results.

Breakthroughs aren’t often – if ever – a product of the eureka effect but the upshot of a long sequence of successes, setbacks, and everything in between. Null results are a critical part of this process, helping to challenge assumptions, refine theories and methodologies, and build a more accurate and reproducible body of knowledge. In the survey, 88% agreed that sharing null results improved the quality of subsequent research.

Why null results matter

Publishing all outcomes helps researchers generate richer and more nuanced evidence. In the survey, researchers cited better hypotheses, more rigorous methods, and new inspiration as just some of the positive outcomes they had experienced from either sharing or using null results shared by others. Just as importantly, openly sharing all findings builds trust in science, enabling researchers to feel confident that no data is being selectively withheld and that integrity is valued as highly as discovery.

Moreover, publishing null results also play a key role in reducing research waste. When null findings go unpublished, other researchers may unknowingly repeat experiments that have already been conducted—spending valuable time, funding, and resources on paths that have been tested and found unfruitful. Sharing these outcomes helps the entire research community avoid duplication, focus efforts more efficiently, and ultimately accelerate scientific progress.

The publication problem: Bias against null results in traditional publishing

So, what is holding researchers back from publishing their null results? The number one barrier identified in the survey is the fear that journals will not accept null results. In practice, more than half (58%) of respondents who tried to publish a paper describing null results had their paper accepted, but there remain negative feelings and concerns among researchers, along with low awareness of where to publish this type of outcome. With research assessment still weighted toward citations, there is a gravitation toward publishing positive results only.

Publications of null results tend to be cited less than those of positive results, which influences researchers’ decision to try and publish them. With research assessment still weighted toward citations, there is an understandable gravitation toward publishing positive results.

And even when null results are published, authors of these articles garner less recognition and reward, including opportunities for funding or career advancement. Some even fear reputational doubt: 20% of survey respondents reported experiencing negative consequences from publishing a null result.

This can be detrimental for early-career researchers, who face less incentive to share null results due to prestige pressures, even though learning from trial and error is an essential skill to master for any thorough researcher. Early-career researchers are already vulnerable to bias in hiring, funding, promotion, and even the peer review process, with certain demographics disproportionately affected.

Their concern over publishing null results is understandable, especially without an available space that celebrates these types of results being published. Beyond their own publications, early-career researchers are also most vulnerable to the restriction of access to high-quality, potentially time- and resource-saving research, which only deepens the inequities they face.

Discover’s solution: Inclusive publishing for all results and researchers

That’s where Discover journals break with tradition. The survey made one thing clear: Something must change, and we believe it should start with increasing visibility and support for null results, reducing stigma, and broadening evaluation criteria.  

Born with community needs in mind, we are outspoken about the importance of publishing null results. A family of inclusive, open access (OA) journals, we don’t just tolerate the existence of null, inconclusive, and negative results in research but explicitly welcomes and fights for their inclusion.

From Discover Psychology to Discover Oncology, all journals in the portfolio support sound-science criteria and transparent peer review over novelty or outcome, offering a home for excellent research that falls outside the remit of more established journals.

We are committed to open science, envisioning a research landscape where all rigorous results are shared, saving time, money, and resources by reducing duplication of unproductive paths. With rapid, streamlined publication processes, authors can share null results quickly, while upholding the same high standards expected across all Springer Nature journals.

“All valid research has a contribution to make – you never know what insight each article might lead to later down the line. We want to help provide the most robust scientific record possible.”

Dylan Parker, Publishing Director, Discover Journals at Springer Nature

Why publish null results with Discover?

The Discover journals represent a home for all good work across the diverse research community. Null results need to be shared, and they need to be shared globally. 
As fully OA journals, Discover journals ensure research is highly discoverable and immediately accessible to readers worldwide. This equitable access is crucial for addressing global challenges and promoting inclusive scientific development. It ensures your research reaches the communities that need it, not just those with more resources, and is more widely seen, used, and shared.
For early-career researchers and underrepresented communities, Discover journals offer an inclusive and collaborative platform to share all findings, regardless of outcome. And of course, these journals offer them the chance to equitably access these important publications, to support them in their work.
Being multidisciplinary in nature, Discover journals also transcend traditional research categories. They promote cross-disciplinary dialogue and recognise the unique intersections that lead to more comprehensive and impactful science. 
Attracting a broader community of contributors – across geographic, experience, and disciplinary divides – Discover journals enrich the scholarly community with a wider range of perspectives, stimulating new thinking.

Every contribution counts

By welcoming all research outcomes – positive or not – and promoting an open research culture where transparency, integrity, reproducibility, and fairness come first, Discover journals make room for bold, new directions. After all, incremental studies lay the foundations for the next big discovery.

Ready to start your Discover journey? Explore all of our journals or read the white paper The state of null results for further insights.

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