Weekly digest: monitoring OA, AI in peer review and equitable OA

This week, we highlight a dataset of OA dashboards, which features the Open Pharma dashboard, and explore how openRxiv is experimenting with AI in peer review. We also read a reflection on OASPA’s expanded position for a sustainable OA future and learn how the joint efforts of CoARA and DORA are strengthening responsible research assessment. Finally, we signpost IOI’s 2025 impact report, which calls for the open research community to deepen partnerships and dismantle silos in 2026, and review the results of the OSMI survey of monitoring practices and motivations.

To read:

A comprehensive dataset of OA dashboards via arXiv | 45-minute read

This article presents a curated dataset of around 60 OA dashboards – including our very own – designed to support transparency, policy decisions and infrastructure development through insights into global publishing patterns. The study introduces a metadata schema to describe dashboard features, supporting interoperability and community-driven development. Most dashboards are European and cover textual publications, with some also tracking data and software. The openly available dataset enables researchers and practitioners to analyse OA trends, refine indicators and foster transparent, collaborative infrastructure for open science.

AI in peer review: balancing speed with integrity via Nature | 5-minute read

OpenRxiv – the non-profit organization behind bioRxiv and medRxiv – is introducing an AI-driven review tool from q.e.d Science to enhance the preprint platforms. In this article, Giorgio Gilestro (Reader in Systems Neurobiology at Imperial College London) discusses the allure and limits of AI peer reviewers, and considers how openRxiv is well positioned to act as a pioneer of AI-assisted review. Giorgio offers hope that AI reviewers could be an “efficiency upgrade” but warns that, for now, the scientific community “must review the peer reviewer”.

OASPA expands vision for global, equitable OA via Research Information | 7-minute read

The latest position paper from the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA) emphasizes that open access (OA) publishing itself is not enough; it also matters “how and for whom OA works”. Here Malavika Legge (Open Access Program Manager at OASPA) shares her reflections on OASPA’s expanded position and contextualizes why a holistic approach to OA – one that strives beyond quantity of OA publications – is needed. Malavika acknowledges complex systemic challenges – such as slowing OA growth, financial pressure on libraries and a lack of trust among stakeholders – while encouraging each stakeholder to take responsibility for broader change. Read the full position paper and share your feedback here!

CoARA and DORA collaborate for better research via CoARA | 3-minute read

The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) and the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) have issued a joint statement aligning their efforts to strengthen responsible research assessment, after years of collaboration and strategic discussions during the EU High-Level Conference on Reforming Research Assessment in Copenhagen. This article defines the complementary roles of the two organizations: CoARA provides institutional support through structured self-assessment, Working Groups and National Chapters, whereas DORA focuses on raising awareness and delivering practical, adaptable tools that support change in research assessment.

IOI’s 2025 open infrastructure highlights via IOI | 2-minute read

The Invest in Open Infrastructure (IOI) 2025 Impact Report highlights its efforts to strengthen open research ecosystems. Despite global challenges, IOI deployed US$3 million to strengthen open infrastructure networks in Africa and Latin America, expanded the Infra Finder directory to over 110 infrastructures, and introduced tools that assess public access costs. Key learnings include the need for strategic coordination to support sustainability and a shifting mindset around consolidation, recognizing that mergers and sunsetting can foster resilience. As IOI looks ahead to 2026, it aims to deepen partnerships, dismantle silos and expand its coalition to advance equitable, collaborative open infrastructure globally.

Tracking open science: insights from OSMI via Upstream | 7-minute read

Early this year, the Open Science Monitoring Initiative (OSMI) working group 3 designed and distributed a survey to assess “monitoring practices among journals, repositories and other providers, including motivations for monitoring”. The responses demonstrate growing adoption of open science monitoring activities, although most approaches focus on policy compliance rather than measuring real-world impact. The survey also identifies limitations in using open outputs as indicators of success and in capturing evidence of downstream impact, highlighting the need for better ways to link open practices to meaningful results.

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