Dan Brockington
@danbrockington.bsky.social
ICREA Research Professor at ICTA-UAB. Posts on Open Science; Political Ecology; Data Justice; Conservation; Children's Fiction. More at www.danbrockington.com and www.samtiand.com
Here was dawn over the Med this morning. Enjoy!
November 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Here was dawn over the Med this morning. Enjoy!
But this is not mere parasitism. Commercial publishers are intimately intertwined with the academia - in the way they harvest data about us, and the way they are integrated into academic evaluation. Lai Ma’s work shows how extensively Elsevier has done it: liberquarterly.eu/article/view/13561
November 12, 2025 at 11:41 AM
But this is not mere parasitism. Commercial publishers are intimately intertwined with the academia - in the way they harvest data about us, and the way they are integrated into academic evaluation. Lai Ma’s work shows how extensively Elsevier has done it: liberquarterly.eu/article/view/13561
The profits are extraordinary – consistently over 30% per year, much higher than other sectors. In 2024 just two publishers earned revenues of over $2.2 bn, whereas government research funding was just over $9 bn. This is a significant drain as the table shows.
November 12, 2025 at 11:41 AM
The profits are extraordinary – consistently over 30% per year, much higher than other sectors. In 2024 just two publishers earned revenues of over $2.2 bn, whereas government research funding was just over $9 bn. This is a significant drain as the table shows.
This will work, scientists are already turning to them (papers grew over 300%). After all, Discover are cheaper. And, we should note that there is not the hasty 37 day turnaround time MDPI boasts. This is (slightly) slower science. But also note the Impact Factor Inflation.
June 18, 2025 at 12:05 PM
This will work, scientists are already turning to them (papers grew over 300%). After all, Discover are cheaper. And, we should note that there is not the hasty 37 day turnaround time MDPI boasts. This is (slightly) slower science. But also note the Impact Factor Inflation.
The new Discover journals replicate the MDPI business model, welcoming 'all valid research, regardless of the level of impact'. They have over 1200 (!!) open Special Issues, and, and this is the most extraordinary bit, *58 out of 66 identical or closely similar titles*. See for yourself.
June 18, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The new Discover journals replicate the MDPI business model, welcoming 'all valid research, regardless of the level of impact'. They have over 1200 (!!) open Special Issues, and, and this is the most extraordinary bit, *58 out of 66 identical or closely similar titles*. See for yourself.
Gugu's art is amazing. I love the covers he created of the first two Samti books. Can't wait for the third to come :)
November 22, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Gugu's art is amazing. I love the covers he created of the first two Samti books. Can't wait for the third to come :)
Given the above I recommend regular book launches. Two more #pinkbodaboda and one more #meetsamti will come soon. I look forward to the dawn of their launches. Then? Well I've just had two amazing days with Mabala on the next project: Watch out for 'The Guild of Storytellers'.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Given the above I recommend regular book launches. Two more #pinkbodaboda and one more #meetsamti will come soon. I look forward to the dawn of their launches. Then? Well I've just had two amazing days with Mabala on the next project: Watch out for 'The Guild of Storytellers'.
Also, don't bend the cover too far back when signing. I was doing that, and after one book, one student jumped up and told me: 'Don't bend the cover back. Because it breaks the spine of the book.' And then she paused and added "And that breaks my heart." #booklove
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Also, don't bend the cover too far back when signing. I was doing that, and after one book, one student jumped up and told me: 'Don't bend the cover back. Because it breaks the spine of the book.' And then she paused and added "And that breaks my heart." #booklove
Write slowly. I was so excited I got the 'N' of 'Neelam' wrong. I had to get her a replacement book. One of her friends watching me struggle observed 'Writing is hard isn't it' (!) 😀
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Write slowly. I was so excited I got the 'N' of 'Neelam' wrong. I had to get her a replacement book. One of her friends watching me struggle observed 'Writing is hard isn't it' (!) 😀
If you're reading this far (thanks) and want to buy the book, then do so here: www.samtiand.com And if you ever do a book signing here are some tips. Find a smooth surface to write on. Shiny also helps.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
If you're reading this far (thanks) and want to buy the book, then do so here: www.samtiand.com And if you ever do a book signing here are some tips. Find a smooth surface to write on. Shiny also helps.
The great thing about the Arusha moment was that it brought together different generations of Samti beta readers. From left to right: Rozie who started it, Nase who finished it and Emily who promises she is nearly going to start.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
The great thing about the Arusha moment was that it brought together different generations of Samti beta readers. From left to right: Rozie who started it, Nase who finished it and Emily who promises she is nearly going to start.
Finally to St Constantines in Arusha. I was particularly glad to come here as students from this school read early versions of Samti when it was in development 🙏 🙏. Once again make sure the illustrator attends a school visits. Children love working with Abdul.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Finally to St Constantines in Arusha. I was particularly glad to come here as students from this school read early versions of Samti when it was in development 🙏 🙏. Once again make sure the illustrator attends a school visits. Children love working with Abdul.
That was Saturday, the next week I was talking at
UDOM and we had another event at the
Elite Bookstore Dodoma branch (Shoppers Plaza). Abdul's work (and life) was a major interest.
UDOM and we had another event at the
Elite Bookstore Dodoma branch (Shoppers Plaza). Abdul's work (and life) was a major interest.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
That was Saturday, the next week I was talking at
UDOM and we had another event at the
Elite Bookstore Dodoma branch (Shoppers Plaza). Abdul's work (and life) was a major interest.
UDOM and we had another event at the
Elite Bookstore Dodoma branch (Shoppers Plaza). Abdul's work (and life) was a major interest.
Hermes and Anita, at the helm of APE Network have been amazing throughout. It is a massive privilege to work with such energetic, effective and enthusiastic publishers. No one does launches like they do!
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Hermes and Anita, at the helm of APE Network have been amazing throughout. It is a massive privilege to work with such energetic, effective and enthusiastic publishers. No one does launches like they do!
And everyone who wore pink for the occasion. Lovely to see Alice Mung'ongo for the first time for ages.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
And everyone who wore pink for the occasion. Lovely to see Alice Mung'ongo for the first time for ages.
And fellow authors and publishers who supported especially Lubacha and Mr Mwamwingilia and Esther of Mtalimbo books
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
And fellow authors and publishers who supported especially Lubacha and Mr Mwamwingilia and Esther of Mtalimbo books
And many thanks to friends who came and supported:
Christine Noe and @brandaid-world.bsky.social (who seemed to have an excessively good time) as well as Pilly Silvano
Christine Noe and @brandaid-world.bsky.social (who seemed to have an excessively good time) as well as Pilly Silvano
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
And many thanks to friends who came and supported:
Christine Noe and @brandaid-world.bsky.social (who seemed to have an excessively good time) as well as Pilly Silvano
Christine Noe and @brandaid-world.bsky.social (who seemed to have an excessively good time) as well as Pilly Silvano
One of my favourite moments was the question and answer sessions with the students. Nahida is in her element here. Another was the student readings. This is Neelam who read from Mountain Stealer.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
One of my favourite moments was the question and answer sessions with the students. Nahida is in her element here. Another was the student readings. This is Neelam who read from Mountain Stealer.
My Mpendwa Mzuri had to be there too. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ She is, after all, the original Samti. She cut the ribbon to launch Mountain Stealer. Mabala did the honours for Forest Thief.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
My Mpendwa Mzuri had to be there too. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ She is, after all, the original Samti. She cut the ribbon to launch Mountain Stealer. Mabala did the honours for Forest Thief.
Launch day: Elite Bookstore, Mbezi Beach. One wonderfulness of the day is sharing a stage with
Nahida Esmail who is launching #pinkbodaboda. Thanks to Edwin of APENetwork (pictured with Anita) for these wonderful posters.
Nahida Esmail who is launching #pinkbodaboda. Thanks to Edwin of APENetwork (pictured with Anita) for these wonderful posters.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Launch day: Elite Bookstore, Mbezi Beach. One wonderfulness of the day is sharing a stage with
Nahida Esmail who is launching #pinkbodaboda. Thanks to Edwin of APENetwork (pictured with Anita) for these wonderful posters.
Nahida Esmail who is launching #pinkbodaboda. Thanks to Edwin of APENetwork (pictured with Anita) for these wonderful posters.
Friday Mar 22 Launch day minus 1. Abdul and I meet just to enjoy the books at our usual spot: Mediterraneo. We are completing #meetsamti book 3 now (Samti and the Perfect Hunter) and are working really well together. His signed copy for me will be the one I keep.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Friday Mar 22 Launch day minus 1. Abdul and I meet just to enjoy the books at our usual spot: Mediterraneo. We are completing #meetsamti book 3 now (Samti and the Perfect Hunter) and are working really well together. His signed copy for me will be the one I keep.
A memory I must keep from t'other place.
Samti is out in the world. It's been a while since I smiled this much. Thanks so much to Nahida, Mabala, Abdul, Hermes, Anita & the whole APE Network team. It was an amazing event, as this thread shows. #meetsamti #APEBookLaunch
instagram.com/apenetwork/
Samti is out in the world. It's been a while since I smiled this much. Thanks so much to Nahida, Mabala, Abdul, Hermes, Anita & the whole APE Network team. It was an amazing event, as this thread shows. #meetsamti #APEBookLaunch
instagram.com/apenetwork/
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 AM
A memory I must keep from t'other place.
Samti is out in the world. It's been a while since I smiled this much. Thanks so much to Nahida, Mabala, Abdul, Hermes, Anita & the whole APE Network team. It was an amazing event, as this thread shows. #meetsamti #APEBookLaunch
instagram.com/apenetwork/
Samti is out in the world. It's been a while since I smiled this much. Thanks so much to Nahida, Mabala, Abdul, Hermes, Anita & the whole APE Network team. It was an amazing event, as this thread shows. #meetsamti #APEBookLaunch
instagram.com/apenetwork/
Evening all, am new to this space but loving the feel of it. Brings back good memories. Took a detour en route back home this pm to see these views. Enjoy!
November 19, 2024 at 5:57 PM
Evening all, am new to this space but loving the feel of it. Brings back good memories. Took a detour en route back home this pm to see these views. Enjoy!