Maria Dias (she/her) is an Experimental Petrologist. She earned her BSc and MSc in the University of Lisbon and recently completed her PhD at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, where she experimentally calibrated diffusion rates for several elements in orthopyroxene. Her research focuses on the quantitative calibration of processes of material transport, utilizing different experimental and analytical techniques. She is currently part of the Media and Branding Team at AGC and was responsible for the design and brand identity of AGC.
What is the main issue arising from current publishing schemes (i.e., non-diamond open access)?
Overall publishing in science is very exploitative. Pressure to publish creates a very competitive environment among scientists. Additionally, non-diamond open access publishing schemes also create barriers, by requiring money to publish and placing work behind paywalls. These barriers mean that not everybody has equal access. It is unfair to treat science as a commodity as opposed to something which should be equally available for everyone.
What is the main benefit of diamond open access (DOA)?
DOA publishing schemes allow everyone to have the same level of access without barriers. This levels the playing field for scientists regardless of location, institutional affiliation and across the range of experience levels.
What was your main motivation to join AGC?
As an ECR scientist, being involved in AGC, as it is forming, is a great opportunity. It gives me the opportunity to see all the steps involved in setting up a new scientific journal, running a scientific journal and even publishing a paper. This opportunity has allowed me to meet lots of other scientists who are at different stages of their career. This has been very valuable and exciting for me, I am gaining experience which I could not really get any other way.
Have you previously published in any other DOA journals? If the answer is no, can you specify why not?
As of yet no. I am also conscious that as an ECR scientist there is an expectation to publish in high impact factor journals. Unfortunately, there is a lack of diamond open access journals in my field. Hopefully AGC will fill this gap!
Why do you think that other researchers, early-, mid- and late-career researchers, should contribute to AGC and submit their scientific work to the journal?
When starting a new journal, to gain traction with the community, established, more senior scientists should preferentially contribute to help establish the journal. However, it is also important that ECR people recognise the importance of DOA journals and get involved in publishing in them. Everybody has a part to play.
Anything else you would like to add?
I am very happy to be able to combine different aspects of my own interests into my role here at AGC. In addition to being an active scientific researcher, I have also interests in art and design. Previously I have been involved in graphics and brand design for organisations other than AGC and I was very happy to be able to provide the graphics and brand design for AGC also. It has been great to see my work on the front of our website.
Favourite element?
Hydrogen!
Social media handles:
Twitter/X: @Maria_ADias [twitter.com]
Bluesky: @maria-dias.bsky.social [bsky.app]