Olivier Pourret (he/him) is an environmental geochemist with expertise ranging from the systematic study of rare earth elements in natural waters to low-temperature aqueous geochemistry. His research primarily focuses on addressing critical issues in low-temperature geochemistry. He completed his PhD at the University of Rennes, where he investigated the interactions between rare earth elements and organic matter in natural environments. Currently an Associate Professor of Geochemistry at UniLaSalle, France, Olivier has built a strong research profile. He established the HydrISE research group, which later merged into AGHYLE, where he served as Deputy Director. Since 2020, Olivier has been leading his university’s policies on Open Science and Research Integrity, advocating for greater transparency and accessibility in scientific research. In addition to his scientific work, Olivier is deeply involved in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, working to promote a more inclusive and equitable research community.
What is the main issue arising from current publishing schemes (i.e., non-diamond open access)?
The main issue with current publishing schemes, particularly those involving Article Processing Charges (APCs), is that they create inequalities. Instead of ensuring universal access to published research, these schemes create disparities in the ability to publish. Researchers with funding can afford to publish in prestigious or open-access journals that require APCs, while those without funding face difficulties. This system promotes a “prestige tax” and contributes to the rise of "predatory" publishers, leading to inflated publishing costs and undermining the credibility of research.
How does the Diamond Open Access (DOA) system work, and how is it free for all?
DOA journals operate without requiring authors to pay APCs and are also free for readers. This model is funded through other sources such as institutions, grants, or governments, allowing both the publication and the access to scientific research to be cost-free. This eliminates barriers to both publishing and accessing research.
What is the main benefit of DOA?
The primary benefit of DOA journals is that they provide a fair, inclusive publishing model. By eliminating fees for both authors and readers, they promote equitable access to research while avoiding the financial pressures and inequalities associated with paywalled or APC-driven journals. This system fosters an open, collaborative academic environment without monetary restrictions.
Does publishing in a DOA journal mean that researchers will have more money for research?
Yes, publishing in DOA journals can potentially free up research funds. Since these journals do not require authors to pay APCs, researchers can allocate the funds they would have spent on publishing toward their actual research, thereby increasing the overall budget for research activities.
Have you previously published in any other DOA journal?
Although all of my publications are available through Open Access, they have primarily been via the green route (i.e., making postprints available in a repository). I began transitioning to DOA in 2020, particularly for my work on scientific outreach, with my first DOA publication appearing in European Science Editing.
What was your main motivation for joining AGC?
My main motivation for joining AGC stems from the need to create a more equitable and accessible platform for publishing research. As the move towards Open Access has grown, the reliance on APCs has introduced financial barriers that disproportionately impact researchers with limited funding, especially from lower-income regions. The AGC model addresses this by removing these financial obstacles, ensuring that scientific research is not only accessible to readers but also free for authors to publish. Furthermore, AGC aligns with the FAIR principles, making research outputs such as data and software more findable and reusable. This shift is crucial for geochemical research, where the openness of all research outputs can enhance global collaboration and the dissemination of knowledge, contributing to the protection of our global environment. By participating in AGC, I hope to help foster a more inclusive and transparent research ecosystem.
Why have non-profit organisations (e.g., societies) not done this already?
Non-profit organizations, such as scholarly societies, have faced several challenges in adopting the DOA model. One major factor is the reliance on traditional revenue streams, such as journal subscriptions and publishing partnerships with commercial publishers, which have long supported their activities. Shifting to a Diamond OA model requires overcoming the financial and logistical hurdles of moving away from these established income sources. Additionally, the transition to Open Access publishing has often been dominated by the Article Processing Charge (APC) model, which many societies have adopted to cover costs. Implementing a no-APC model, like DOA, may also demand new funding models or support from institutions and governments, which has not always been readily available. Moreover, there has been a historical inertia, where societies have been slow to reimagine their publishing models due to the complexity of navigating open-access policies, funding structures, and the changing needs of their members. As awareness grows around more equitable and sustainable open-access publishing models, there may be increasing momentum for non-profit organizations to embrace DOA.
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?
Researchers at all stages of their careers—early, mid, and late—should contribute to and submit their work to AGC for several key reasons:
- Equitable Open Access: AGC follows the DOA model, which means that both readers and authors can access and publish scientific work without the financial burden of Article Processing Charges (APCs). This ensures that research from early-career researchers or those without funding is not excluded, promoting a more inclusive and diverse research landscape.
- Increased Visibility: Publishing in AGC allows researchers to make their work freely accessible to a global audience, increasing the reach and impact of their research. This is especially crucial for early-career researchers looking to establish their presence in the scientific community and for mid- and late-career researchers who want to disseminate their findings widely.
- Commitment to Open Science: AGC promotes transparency and reproducibility by encouraging the sharing of data, methods, and results in line with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. This fosters collaboration, allowing researchers at all career stages to engage with a wider scientific community, receive feedback, and contribute to open scientific dialogue.
- Rigorous Peer Review: AGC offers a rigorous peer-review process that ensures high-quality scientific publications. For early-career researchers, this provides a platform to demonstrate their scientific rigor. Mid- and late-career researchers can contribute their expertise, enhancing the credibility and development of emerging research in geochemistry.
- Support for a Sustainable Future: AGC is committed to advancing geochemical research that aligns with global challenges, such as environmental sustainability. By contributing to AGC, researchers can position their work within a broader context of addressing pressing global issues, which is valuable at every stage of a researcher's career.
Ultimately, AGC offers a valuable platform that promotes open, accessible, and impactful research for scientists at all career stages, supporting both individual growth and collective scientific progress.
How will the AGC team build the journal impact and attract people at the start?
Building the impact of AGC and attracting contributors in its early stages will require a strategic approach focused on establishing credibility, visibility, and community engagement. Here's how the AGC team plans to achieve this:
- Leveraging Established Networks: The AGC team will tap into existing networks of geochemistry societies, academic institutions, and research groups to promote the journal. By collaborating with respected figures in the geochemistry and earth sciences communities, AGC can quickly build trust and attract high-quality submissions from recognized researchers.
- High-Quality Editorial Board: AGC has assembled a diverse and respected editorial board consisting of leading experts in geochemistry. This not only provides the journal with credibility but also signals to potential authors that their work will be evaluated by prominent figures in the field, ensuring a rigorous peer-review process.
- DOA Model: AGC’s commitment to a DOA model, where there are no Article Processing Charges (APCs), will be a major draw for authors. This ensures that publishing is accessible to researchers from all backgrounds, especially early-career scientists or those from underfunded institutions. The inclusive nature of this model can attract high-quality submissions from a broad, diverse pool of researchers.
- Promoting Open Science and FAIR Principles: The journal’s focus on openness and the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles for data, methods, and software will resonate with researchers who prioritize transparency and reproducibility in their work. This will encourage submissions from scientists who wish to align their research with global best practices in Open Science.
- Early Career Researcher Engagement: AGC will actively engage early-career researchers by offering support for them to publish their first papers in a high-quality journal. This can be done through special calls for submissions, mentorship programs, or highlighting young researchers in dedicated issues or features.
- Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: Forming partnerships with geochemistry societies, universities, research centres, and conferences (e.g., Goldschmidt or the American Geophysical Union) will provide platforms to promote the journal and attract submissions from these communities. AGC’s presence at key conferences or workshops will further increase its visibility.
- Preprints and Early Sharing: AGC will encourage the submission of preprints and early-stage research outputs, aligning itself with modern trends in scientific publishing. Promoting the journal’s commitment to early dissemination and rapid peer review will attract researchers eager to get their results to the public quickly.
- Special Issues and Thematic Calls: By organizing special issues on hot topics or emerging areas of geochemistry, AGC can attract prominent authors and researchers working in cutting-edge fields. This can help create buzz around the journal and encourage more submissions.
- Community Engagement and Outreach: The AGC team will invest in outreach through social media, blogs, and webinars to engage with the geochemistry community. Showcasing published work, highlighting author interviews, and hosting virtual events will build a sense of community and encourage researchers to contribute.
- Highlighting Early Impact and Metrics: AGC will track and promote early indicators of success, such as article citations, media mentions, and download metrics. Publicizing these achievements will help build the journal's reputation and attract more authors looking for high-impact venues for their work.
Favourite element?
Not a single element but a group, the Rare Earth Elements, because they perplex me in my research, baffle me in my speculations, and haunt me in my dreams. If I can use the words of British chemist Sir William Crookes!
Social media handles:
Twitter/X: @olivier_pourret [twitter.com]
Mastodon: @olivierpourret@mastodon.social [mastodon.social]