Marthe Klöcking is a geochemist and geodynamicist with focus on upper mantle processes. A geologist by training, she holds an MSci in Natural Sciences (with a research project in volcanology and geochemistry) and a PhD in geophysics applying quantitative geochemical methods to upper mantle geodynamics and dynamic topography, both from the University of Cambridge (UK). Continuing her work on geochemical modelling of mantle melting and observational geodynamics, Marthe moved to Australia in 2018, first on a DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarship to Macquarie University, followed by a postdoc position at the Australian National University in collaboration with Geoscience Australia. From 2021-2023 she was the coordinator and manager of the GEOROC database of igneous geochemical rock and mineral compositions. During this role she became actively involved in the global FAIR data community and co-founded the OneGeochemistry initiative. Marthe is currently a research associate in chemical geodynamics at the University of Münster (Germany). She is a member of the AGC copyediting team.
What was your main motivation to join the initiative?
The system of paying journals to publish your work who then charge people to read it is absurd, especially since most academic research is funded by public money. I care about open access, and there are not many open access publishing options in the field of geochemistry partly due to the traditional modes of research and late adoption of computational techniques. My current expertise lies in research data. GEOROC and PetDB were the first large scale open-access geochemical data resources that aggregate and harmonise published research data as a FAIR data service to the community. Currently, these two services are the largest FAIR databases in geochemistry and one of the leaders for open, international infrastructures in the geosciences. Coming from that perspective, I feel strongly that data should be managed in an open and accessible way throughout the research and publication process, and one of the best ways to ensure that is through a community-led journal.
If you could choose one benefit/the major benefit of Diamond Open Access (DOA) journals, what would it be?
Freely accessible research and data for all readers. I feel strongly about opening research up and challenging the sequestration of knowledge by the Global North. One benefit of diamond open access journals is that research outputs are accessible to anyone, i.e., to other researchers (especially from institutions that cannot afford expensive journal subscriptions) and also members of the public – at no extra cost to the author.
If you could highlight the main issue arising from current publishing schemes (other than DOA), what would it be?
Tax-payers’ money is used to fund private scientific publishing businesses that run for profit and do not return resources to the community. Additionally, a major problem with the current academic system (especially funding, promotion, hiring assessment) is the fascination with numerical success indicators, which is in part driven by and driving the current publishing scheme in one vicious circle. Early career researchers, in particular, need to participate in this system in order to be successful, but it is a broken system that is regularly misused, e.g., through piece-meal publishing of larger research projects or datasets, and it is not sustainable.
Have you previously published in any other DOA journals? If the answer is no, can you specify why not?
No. In fact, for my last paper we specifically went to a major journal as a strategic move: we wanted to target a journal where most of the geochemistry community would likely skim through the contents. You wouldn’t have that audience in a new DOA journal, but in time I hope we can build the reputation of DOA journals to make this kind of choice unnecessary in future. However, I always publish at least green open access (i.e., using preprints, institutional servers and ResearchGate for full-text copies). My shift toward working in data infrastructure the past few years also resulted in my publishing habits changing, with more abstracts, presentations and technical reports which have all be published on open-access platforms.
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?
Senior academics have an important role in promoting diamond open access journals, because people will find and read their work wherever it is published. Early career researchers are more vulnerable, and I would advise them to consider “who do you want your readership to be?” and also “what impact do you want to make?”. However, in addition to the journals themselves, there are also other methods to advertise work (e.g., social media, emailing relevant potential readers, word of mouth, getting senior co-authors to email paper to colleagues), which could supplement whichever publishing option chosen. Based on the pressures of academia and the needs of the current system, there needs to be a balance between publishing in DOA journals and also more established journals. Ultimately, we want our research to be open and accessible, therefore it makes sense to migrate to DOA. This move will also put pressure on the established journals to provide more open-access, more-affordably, so it could also be seen as an act of defiance against the major businesses who are running the currently established system!
Anything else to add?
I think it is important to highlight that these types of community service are big commitments and there is a lot of work involved. However, the shared benefit is huge. As an early career researcher myself, I would like encourage people to get involved in initiatives like the running of a DOA journal. My hope is that in the near future mentors, the community, research institutions as well as funders will see and recognise these contributions in a more meaningful way. Academics already juggle many unpaid tasks, such as peer-review, that are expected but considered voluntary, and that would be paid highly in other sectors.
Favourite element?
Marthe’s favourite element is ytterbium because it likes garnet just like her!
Social media handles:
Twitter/X: @MKloecking [twitter.com]
Bluesky: @mkloecking.bsky.social [bsky.app]