As part of Open October, Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University Libraries, and the Center for Health & Science Communication at Becker Library were delighted to host Meagan Phelan, Communications Director for Science Journals & Publishing at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), who delivered the keynote address: “From access to confidence: Rethinking the scientific record.”
From Access…
The presentation began with a look at how AAAS supports immediate access to publicly funded research by allowing authors to share their accepted manuscripts in public repositories without paying article processing charges, also known as “green open access.” Through this approach, AAAS strives to ensure equitable pathways for authors to make their work broadly accessible. (You can explore a list of non-profit societies and publishers that support similar no-fee compliance pathways on Becker Library’s Zero Embargo Friendly Publishers list.)
…To Confidence
However, access alone isn’t enough to build public confidence in science. Phelan emphasized the need to invest in publishing practices and author engagement opportunities that enable clearer communication of science. This means fostering transparent discussions between authors and the media and policymakers, sharing data so journalists and experts can evaluate results, and having honest conversations about research integrity and where the scientific process can go wrong.
Phelan shared several examples of how AAAS is experimenting with putting these ideas into practice, including a press briefing that gave researchers with conflicting findings an opportunity to discuss their results and engage directly with the media. As Phelan noted during her talk, “The scientific record earns confidence through things that happen around the paper.”
Watch the Recording
Missed the October 8 live event? You can view the full presentation on Digital Commons@Becker.