Weekly digest: Creative Commons licences, Barcelona Declaration and COPE guidelines

Sophie Nobes

This week, we share our new article about demystifying Creative Commons licences and learn about the launch of the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information. We also read recent COPE guidelines that encourage collaboration between research institutions and publishers to promote research integrity, and read about Springer Nature’s progress towards the SDG Publishers Compact. Finally, we signpost the upcoming Barcelona Declaration launch webinar.

Open Pharma demystifies Creative Commons licences via The MAP | 7-minute read

In the context of scholarly publishing, Creative Commons (CC) licences allow authors of open access (OA) journal articles to retain copyright of their work. However, choosing the most appropriate CC licence for a given piece of work can be a complex process. In this article for The MAP, representatives of Open Pharma explore the available CC licences and how to navigate the licence selection process.

Barcelona Declaration: a commitment to open research information via Barcelona Declaration | 1-minute read

On 16 April, over 40 organizations signified their commitment to open research by signing the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information. By committing to making openness the norm, to working with services and systems that facilitate openness, to supporting open research infrastructures and to ensuring ongoing collaboration, the participating organizations hope to reform the research landscape and create a culture of transparency and inclusivity. More information about the declaration can be found here.

COPE guidelines for cooperation on research integrity via COPE | 3-minute read

How can research institutions and publishers collaborate to ensure research and publication integrity? These guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) recommend actions to help institutions and publishers to communicate effectively when investigating concerns about research reliability and misconduct. By following these recommendations on assigning research integrity officers, sharing information and communication, institutions and publishers can work towards the shared goal of maintaining research integrity.

Springer Nature 2023 sustainable business summary via Springer Nature Group | 1-hour read

Springer Nature has released its 2023 sustainable business report. The report, which covers performance from January to December 2023, details the publisher’s progress towards its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Publishers Compact. The publisher’s open science highlights include 44% of its primary research content published being OA, its use of article processing charge (APC) waivers and discount policies to support equity in access, and its participation in STM Research Integrity initiatives.

Barcelona Declaration launch webinar

Want to learn more about the Barcelona Declaration design, goals and next steps? Join this webinar on Tuesday 23 April to explore the rationale behind the declaration, the goals of the signatory organizations, and what is required to make open research the norm. Registration for this event is free.

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