As we celebrate this year’s International Open Access Week 2024 with the theme of 'Community over Commercialisation', we at UCL Press journals are reflecting on how we can better serve our scholarly communities.

As a Diamond Open Access journal publisher, UCL Press is committed to making high-quality research freely accessible to everyone. We continuously seek ways to reduce the barriers and inequalities that persist in the scholarly landscape – whether in publishing or accessing research. We believe that by removing these barriers, especially financial ones, knowledge producers from around the world and across diverse professions and disciplines can more easily engage with and benefit from the latest research. This approach fosters greater collaboration and innovation across disciplines and geographical boundaries, maximising the benefits of research for society.

UCL Press currently publishes 14 journals under the Diamond Open Access model, focusing on disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Diamond Open Access is a publishing model in which neither authors nor readers are required to pay fees. This is a significant departure from traditional publishing models, which often involve substantial costs for authors (in the form of article processing charges (APCs)) and for readers (through subscription fees). By adopting the Diamond Open Access model, we ensure that financial barriers do not limit the reach of research. This inclusivity is crucial for enabling a diverse range of voices to contribute to the academic discourse, particularly those from underfunded institutions or developing countries.

At UCL Press, we place a strong emphasis on community engagement and multidisciplinary research. Two of our notable journals, that exemplify this commitment are Research for All and the International Journal of Social Pedagogy.

Research for All highlights the collaborative nature of research and its societal impact. It publishes articles that explore how research is co-produced with non-academic partners, including community groups, policymakers, and practitioners. By emphasising the practical applications of research and its benefits to society, Research for All bridges the gap between academia and the wider community. This journal is particularly valuable for researchers who aim to make a tangible impact through their work, as it provides a platform for sharing insights and best practices in community-engaged research.

The International Journal of Social Pedagogy is another exemplary journal that underscores our dedication to community engagement. It publishes research on social pedagogy, an interdisciplinary field focused on holistic education and care. Covering topics like child and youth care, community development, and social work, the International Journal of Social Pedagogy provides a platform for scholars and practitioners to share their work, the journal fosters a global dialogue on innovative practices and policies in social education and care.

By ensuring that high-quality research is freely accessible, we advance the dissemination of knowledge while promoting equity and inclusivity in the scholarly community. We believe that our publishing model serves as a beacon for other academic publishers, demonstrating how open access can transform the way we share and engage with scholarly research.

To learn more about UCL Press journals, including Research for All and the International Journal of Social Pedagogy, visit our website journals.uclpress.co.uk.

In addition to our journals, UCL Press also publishes a wide range of open access books, including monographs, edited collections, and textbooks. These publications are entirely free to read and download. Find out more about by visiting uclpress.co.uk.

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