Gemma Derrick
@gemmaderrick.bsky.social
Professor (Research Policy and Culture) at University of Bristol. Meta- research, peer review, academic audit and knowledge systems. Epistemological boundary rider and curious pragmatist towards evidence for research culture change.
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk 🎤
If you’ve read this far and still need convincing, please check out our preprint arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820 and this infographic: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
10/10
If you’ve read this far and still need convincing, please check out our preprint arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820 and this infographic: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
10/10
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk 🎤
If you’ve read this far and still need convincing, please check out our preprint arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820 and this infographic: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
10/10
If you’ve read this far and still need convincing, please check out our preprint arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820 and this infographic: doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
10/10
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
We’re asking research funders & universities to step up because together, they have the leverage - and frankly, the responsibility - to stop the drain and redirect billions currently flowing to commercial publishers 💸 back into community-owned systems that serve science, not profit.
9/n
9/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
We’re asking research funders & universities to step up because together, they have the leverage - and frankly, the responsibility - to stop the drain and redirect billions currently flowing to commercial publishers 💸 back into community-owned systems that serve science, not profit.
9/n
9/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Many call on researchers to behave differently. But researchers are dispersed across disciplines, institutions & countries. Let's face it, we are hard to coordinate.
So we call on the actors with real power:
Funders and institutions. 💪
They can set the policies and reshape incentives. 8/n
So we call on the actors with real power:
Funders and institutions. 💪
They can set the policies and reshape incentives. 8/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Many call on researchers to behave differently. But researchers are dispersed across disciplines, institutions & countries. Let's face it, we are hard to coordinate.
So we call on the actors with real power:
Funders and institutions. 💪
They can set the policies and reshape incentives. 8/n
So we call on the actors with real power:
Funders and institutions. 💪
They can set the policies and reshape incentives. 8/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Re-communalization = community-owned & governed, w/ surplus going back to academic communities, not shareholder pockets.
7/n
7/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Re-communalization = community-owned & governed, w/ surplus going back to academic communities, not shareholder pockets.
7/n
7/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
So what now? 💥
We argue that scholarly publishing needs to be re-communalized.
No, not communism, just academia taking back control of:
1) its journals (hello breakaway journals)
2) its assessment systems (hello @barcelonadori.bsky.social)
6/n
We argue that scholarly publishing needs to be re-communalized.
No, not communism, just academia taking back control of:
1) its journals (hello breakaway journals)
2) its assessment systems (hello @barcelonadori.bsky.social)
6/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
So what now? 💥
We argue that scholarly publishing needs to be re-communalized.
No, not communism, just academia taking back control of:
1) its journals (hello breakaway journals)
2) its assessment systems (hello @barcelonadori.bsky.social)
6/n
We argue that scholarly publishing needs to be re-communalized.
No, not communism, just academia taking back control of:
1) its journals (hello breakaway journals)
2) its assessment systems (hello @barcelonadori.bsky.social)
6/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
So why hasn’t this happened yet? 🤷♀️
Because for-profit publishers have distorted Open Access so thoroughly that many authors now believe their only OA option is to pay astronomical APCs.
And we ask researchers to publish OA… while rewarding prestige controlled by the same oligopoly. 5/n
Because for-profit publishers have distorted Open Access so thoroughly that many authors now believe their only OA option is to pay astronomical APCs.
And we ask researchers to publish OA… while rewarding prestige controlled by the same oligopoly. 5/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
So why hasn’t this happened yet? 🤷♀️
Because for-profit publishers have distorted Open Access so thoroughly that many authors now believe their only OA option is to pay astronomical APCs.
And we ask researchers to publish OA… while rewarding prestige controlled by the same oligopoly. 5/n
Because for-profit publishers have distorted Open Access so thoroughly that many authors now believe their only OA option is to pay astronomical APCs.
And we ask researchers to publish OA… while rewarding prestige controlled by the same oligopoly. 5/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
How? 🛠️
Good news: we already have everything needed to fix the system.
Alternative models without paywalls? ✔️
Preprints, diamond journals.
Open infrastructure at production cost not prestige markup? ✔️
@pkp.sfu.ca @scielo.org @redalyc.bsky.social @erudit.org
Community-run, community-governed. 4/n
Good news: we already have everything needed to fix the system.
Alternative models without paywalls? ✔️
Preprints, diamond journals.
Open infrastructure at production cost not prestige markup? ✔️
@pkp.sfu.ca @scielo.org @redalyc.bsky.social @erudit.org
Community-run, community-governed. 4/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
How? 🛠️
Good news: we already have everything needed to fix the system.
Alternative models without paywalls? ✔️
Preprints, diamond journals.
Open infrastructure at production cost not prestige markup? ✔️
@pkp.sfu.ca @scielo.org @redalyc.bsky.social @erudit.org
Community-run, community-governed. 4/n
Good news: we already have everything needed to fix the system.
Alternative models without paywalls? ✔️
Preprints, diamond journals.
Open infrastructure at production cost not prestige markup? ✔️
@pkp.sfu.ca @scielo.org @redalyc.bsky.social @erudit.org
Community-run, community-governed. 4/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Can you imagine what else we could do with that money?
Fund researchers, students, labs, infrastructure… which all sounds better to me than enriching a publishing oligopoly. 3/n
Fund researchers, students, labs, infrastructure… which all sounds better to me than enriching a publishing oligopoly. 3/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Can you imagine what else we could do with that money?
Fund researchers, students, labs, infrastructure… which all sounds better to me than enriching a publishing oligopoly. 3/n
Fund researchers, students, labs, infrastructure… which all sounds better to me than enriching a publishing oligopoly. 3/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Why? 🤑
In just the last 5 years, 4 publishers made $US 41 billion in revenue and $14.7B in profit - money that largely comes from taxpayer-funded research budgets.
For context: the entire 2024 NSF budget was $9B USD.
@elsevierconnect.bsky.social made $3.9B that year at a 38% profit margin. 2/n
In just the last 5 years, 4 publishers made $US 41 billion in revenue and $14.7B in profit - money that largely comes from taxpayer-funded research budgets.
For context: the entire 2024 NSF budget was $9B USD.
@elsevierconnect.bsky.social made $3.9B that year at a 38% profit margin. 2/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Why? 🤑
In just the last 5 years, 4 publishers made $US 41 billion in revenue and $14.7B in profit - money that largely comes from taxpayer-funded research budgets.
For context: the entire 2024 NSF budget was $9B USD.
@elsevierconnect.bsky.social made $3.9B that year at a 38% profit margin. 2/n
In just the last 5 years, 4 publishers made $US 41 billion in revenue and $14.7B in profit - money that largely comes from taxpayer-funded research budgets.
For context: the entire 2024 NSF budget was $9B USD.
@elsevierconnect.bsky.social made $3.9B that year at a 38% profit margin. 2/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Over the past months (and at least 11 versions!), I was lucky to work with 11 amazing colleagues on a call to action to reform academic publishing.
Not another declaration, but an appeal to our powerful friends, research funders & institutions, to Stop the Drain of Scientific Publishing. 1/n
Not another declaration, but an appeal to our powerful friends, research funders & institutions, to Stop the Drain of Scientific Publishing. 1/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Over the past months (and at least 11 versions!), I was lucky to work with 11 amazing colleagues on a call to action to reform academic publishing.
Not another declaration, but an appeal to our powerful friends, research funders & institutions, to Stop the Drain of Scientific Publishing. 1/n
Not another declaration, but an appeal to our powerful friends, research funders & institutions, to Stop the Drain of Scientific Publishing. 1/n
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
So interdisciplinary and international! Thanks @stefhaustein.scholcommlab.ca @lariviev.bsky.social @paolocrosetto.bsky.social, @gemmaderrick.bsky.social,
@pagomba.bsky.social @stephenpinfield.bsky.social
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social, @danbrockington.bsky.social, Fernanda Beigel, Christine Noe
@pagomba.bsky.social @stephenpinfield.bsky.social
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social, @danbrockington.bsky.social, Fernanda Beigel, Christine Noe
November 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
So interdisciplinary and international! Thanks @stefhaustein.scholcommlab.ca @lariviev.bsky.social @paolocrosetto.bsky.social, @gemmaderrick.bsky.social,
@pagomba.bsky.social @stephenpinfield.bsky.social
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social, @danbrockington.bsky.social, Fernanda Beigel, Christine Noe
@pagomba.bsky.social @stephenpinfield.bsky.social
@jameswilsdon.bsky.social, @danbrockington.bsky.social, Fernanda Beigel, Christine Noe
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Other parts of the world had different histories of academic journal publishing (and of research and universities), and so (in some cases/places) can have a different relationship to for-profit publishers. I wish we knew more about mid/late-20thC journal publishing practices globally.
November 11, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Other parts of the world had different histories of academic journal publishing (and of research and universities), and so (in some cases/places) can have a different relationship to for-profit publishers. I wish we knew more about mid/late-20thC journal publishing practices globally.
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
... and the reason that for-profit journal publishers are such a feature of the UK/European/NAmerican scientific ecosystem (in particular) is... history! Commercial practices saved struggling non-profit journals in the 1950s/60s (as I've shown doi.org/10.1177/0073...), but what happened next?
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
... and the reason that for-profit journal publishers are such a feature of the UK/European/NAmerican scientific ecosystem (in particular) is... history! Commercial practices saved struggling non-profit journals in the 1950s/60s (as I've shown doi.org/10.1177/0073...), but what happened next?
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
New preprint on the drain that for-profit publishers place on the scientific ecosystem. We also point out that, though it's often presented as a global problem, it's actually a Global North problem: there are parts of the world with strong diamond #OA non-profit alternatives arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
November 11, 2025 at 4:32 PM
New preprint on the drain that for-profit publishers place on the scientific ecosystem. We also point out that, though it's often presented as a global problem, it's actually a Global North problem: there are parts of the world with strong diamond #OA non-profit alternatives arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
The Drain of Scientific Publishing details very clearly how for-profit publishers making >30% profit margins have corrupted any solution the research community has attempted.
Let's cut ourselves free.
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: bit.ly/StrainQSS
Oligopoly: bit.ly/OligSciPub
12/12
Let's cut ourselves free.
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: bit.ly/StrainQSS
Oligopoly: bit.ly/OligSciPub
12/12
The Drain of Scientific Publishing
The domination of scientific publishing in the Global North by major commercial publishers is harmful to science. We need the most powerful members of the research community, funders, governments and ...
arxiv.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The Drain of Scientific Publishing details very clearly how for-profit publishers making >30% profit margins have corrupted any solution the research community has attempted.
Let's cut ourselves free.
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: bit.ly/StrainQSS
Oligopoly: bit.ly/OligSciPub
12/12
Let's cut ourselves free.
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: bit.ly/StrainQSS
Oligopoly: bit.ly/OligSciPub
12/12
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Thanks to all my wonderful co-authors and especially @danbrockington.bsky.social for spearheading this essential piece of scientific discussion.
Coauthors in next posts.
#ScientificPublishing #OpenScience #OpenAccess #AcademicSky #PhDchat #AcademicChatter #SciPub #ResearchIntegrity #PublishOrPerish
Coauthors in next posts.
#ScientificPublishing #OpenScience #OpenAccess #AcademicSky #PhDchat #AcademicChatter #SciPub #ResearchIntegrity #PublishOrPerish
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Thanks to all my wonderful co-authors and especially @danbrockington.bsky.social for spearheading this essential piece of scientific discussion.
Coauthors in next posts.
#ScientificPublishing #OpenScience #OpenAccess #AcademicSky #PhDchat #AcademicChatter #SciPub #ResearchIntegrity #PublishOrPerish
Coauthors in next posts.
#ScientificPublishing #OpenScience #OpenAccess #AcademicSky #PhDchat #AcademicChatter #SciPub #ResearchIntegrity #PublishOrPerish
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Wonderful work
@stefhaustein.scholcommlab.ca, @lariviev.bsky.social, @paolocrosetto.bsky.social, @gemmaderrick.bsky.social, @pagomba.bsky.social, @aileenfyfe.bsky.social, @stephenpinfield.bsky.social, @jameswilsdon.bsky.social & Fernanda Beigel, Christine Noe (not on Bsky).
It was a privilege.
@stefhaustein.scholcommlab.ca, @lariviev.bsky.social, @paolocrosetto.bsky.social, @gemmaderrick.bsky.social, @pagomba.bsky.social, @aileenfyfe.bsky.social, @stephenpinfield.bsky.social, @jameswilsdon.bsky.social & Fernanda Beigel, Christine Noe (not on Bsky).
It was a privilege.
November 11, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Wonderful work
@stefhaustein.scholcommlab.ca, @lariviev.bsky.social, @paolocrosetto.bsky.social, @gemmaderrick.bsky.social, @pagomba.bsky.social, @aileenfyfe.bsky.social, @stephenpinfield.bsky.social, @jameswilsdon.bsky.social & Fernanda Beigel, Christine Noe (not on Bsky).
It was a privilege.
@stefhaustein.scholcommlab.ca, @lariviev.bsky.social, @paolocrosetto.bsky.social, @gemmaderrick.bsky.social, @pagomba.bsky.social, @aileenfyfe.bsky.social, @stephenpinfield.bsky.social, @jameswilsdon.bsky.social & Fernanda Beigel, Christine Noe (not on Bsky).
It was a privilege.
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
💥New: The People Culture and Environment element of REF2029 is already changing the sector, we shouldn’t give up on it now
✍️ @gemmaderrick.bsky.social Amy Devenney, Lizzie Ville & Rhian Pennie
#PeopleCultureEvironment #ResearchCulture #REF2029
✍️ @gemmaderrick.bsky.social Amy Devenney, Lizzie Ville & Rhian Pennie
#PeopleCultureEvironment #ResearchCulture #REF2029
The People Culture and Environment element of REF2029 is already changing the sector, we shouldn’t give up on it now - Impact of Social Sciences
The future of the People Culture and Environment element of REF 2029 is currently under scrutiny. Drawing on interviews with institutional decisionmakers as part of the COMET study, Gemma Derrick, Amy...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
September 30, 2025 at 10:30 AM
💥New: The People Culture and Environment element of REF2029 is already changing the sector, we shouldn’t give up on it now
✍️ @gemmaderrick.bsky.social Amy Devenney, Lizzie Ville & Rhian Pennie
#PeopleCultureEvironment #ResearchCulture #REF2029
✍️ @gemmaderrick.bsky.social Amy Devenney, Lizzie Ville & Rhian Pennie
#PeopleCultureEvironment #ResearchCulture #REF2029
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Next, Gemma Derrick on how Heuristics can be used to judge what is a quality research output
@gemmaderrick.bsky.social errick.bsky.social
@gemmaderrick.bsky.social errick.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Next, Gemma Derrick on how Heuristics can be used to judge what is a quality research output
@gemmaderrick.bsky.social errick.bsky.social
@gemmaderrick.bsky.social errick.bsky.social
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
With work on REF paused, should getting rid of the whole thing be on agenda?
Is it QR's defence, or outdated policy's "monster"?
Views from @gemmaderrick.bsky.social, @kieronflanagan.bsky.social and others, in @fionamcintyre.bsky.social analysis.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Is it QR's defence, or outdated policy's "monster"?
Views from @gemmaderrick.bsky.social, @kieronflanagan.bsky.social and others, in @fionamcintyre.bsky.social analysis.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF at a crossroads: revamp or get rid? - Research Professional News
Pause intensifies debate on whether exercise is QR’s essential defence or outdated policy’s “monster”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:38 AM
With work on REF paused, should getting rid of the whole thing be on agenda?
Is it QR's defence, or outdated policy's "monster"?
Views from @gemmaderrick.bsky.social, @kieronflanagan.bsky.social and others, in @fionamcintyre.bsky.social analysis.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Is it QR's defence, or outdated policy's "monster"?
Views from @gemmaderrick.bsky.social, @kieronflanagan.bsky.social and others, in @fionamcintyre.bsky.social analysis.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
In the lead up to this year's STI-ENID Conference in Bristol (3-5 September 2025), we are happy to announce this year's Women in Science Policy (WISP Event).
Read more here: www.stienid2025.org/wisp
And don't forget to register to take part!
Read more here: www.stienid2025.org/wisp
And don't forget to register to take part!
Women in Science Policy (WISP) | STI-ENID2025
www.stienid2025.org
August 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
In the lead up to this year's STI-ENID Conference in Bristol (3-5 September 2025), we are happy to announce this year's Women in Science Policy (WISP Event).
Read more here: www.stienid2025.org/wisp
And don't forget to register to take part!
Read more here: www.stienid2025.org/wisp
And don't forget to register to take part!
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
In the lead up to this year's STI-ENID conference in Bristol (3-5 September, 2025).
Thanks to our generous sponsors @wellcometrust.bsky.social, Digital Science, @clarivate.com, University of Bristol @soebristol.bsky.social, @overton.io, UKRN, @emeraldpublishing.bsky.social and @elife.bsky.social
Thanks to our generous sponsors @wellcometrust.bsky.social, Digital Science, @clarivate.com, University of Bristol @soebristol.bsky.social, @overton.io, UKRN, @emeraldpublishing.bsky.social and @elife.bsky.social
August 11, 2025 at 11:07 AM
In the lead up to this year's STI-ENID conference in Bristol (3-5 September, 2025).
Thanks to our generous sponsors @wellcometrust.bsky.social, Digital Science, @clarivate.com, University of Bristol @soebristol.bsky.social, @overton.io, UKRN, @emeraldpublishing.bsky.social and @elife.bsky.social
Thanks to our generous sponsors @wellcometrust.bsky.social, Digital Science, @clarivate.com, University of Bristol @soebristol.bsky.social, @overton.io, UKRN, @emeraldpublishing.bsky.social and @elife.bsky.social
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Americans are more likely to have a negative view of swearing than Australians or Britons
Americans: 43% have a negative view
Australians: 34%
Britons: 33%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Americans: 43% have a negative view
Australians: 34%
Britons: 33%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
July 15, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Americans are more likely to have a negative view of swearing than Australians or Britons
Americans: 43% have a negative view
Australians: 34%
Britons: 33%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Americans: 43% have a negative view
Australians: 34%
Britons: 33%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
Britons are more regular swearers than Australians or Americans, but what are their top swear words?
Britons
F*ck: 67% use regularly
Sh*t: 65%
Bloody: 54%
Australians
Sh*t: 61%
F*ck: 56%
Bullsh*t: 52%
Americans
Damn: 55%
Sh*t: 54%
F*ck: 47%
👇 more in chart below
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Britons
F*ck: 67% use regularly
Sh*t: 65%
Bloody: 54%
Australians
Sh*t: 61%
F*ck: 56%
Bullsh*t: 52%
Americans
Damn: 55%
Sh*t: 54%
F*ck: 47%
👇 more in chart below
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
July 15, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Britons are more regular swearers than Australians or Americans, but what are their top swear words?
Britons
F*ck: 67% use regularly
Sh*t: 65%
Bloody: 54%
Australians
Sh*t: 61%
F*ck: 56%
Bullsh*t: 52%
Americans
Damn: 55%
Sh*t: 54%
F*ck: 47%
👇 more in chart below
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Britons
F*ck: 67% use regularly
Sh*t: 65%
Bloody: 54%
Australians
Sh*t: 61%
F*ck: 56%
Bullsh*t: 52%
Americans
Damn: 55%
Sh*t: 54%
F*ck: 47%
👇 more in chart below
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Reposted by Gemma Derrick
The 29th Annual #STI2025 isn’t just great talks — it’s about community + fun too!
📍 Bristol, Sept 3–5:
🏃♀️ Morning harbour run
🎨 Banksy treasure hunt
🎲 ‘Publish & Perish’ game
🖼️ Poster bingo
Come for the research, stay for the people. Join us!
👉 stienid2025.org/registration-1
📍 Bristol, Sept 3–5:
🏃♀️ Morning harbour run
🎨 Banksy treasure hunt
🎲 ‘Publish & Perish’ game
🖼️ Poster bingo
Come for the research, stay for the people. Join us!
👉 stienid2025.org/registration-1
Registration | STI-ENID2025
stienid2025.org
July 10, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The 29th Annual #STI2025 isn’t just great talks — it’s about community + fun too!
📍 Bristol, Sept 3–5:
🏃♀️ Morning harbour run
🎨 Banksy treasure hunt
🎲 ‘Publish & Perish’ game
🖼️ Poster bingo
Come for the research, stay for the people. Join us!
👉 stienid2025.org/registration-1
📍 Bristol, Sept 3–5:
🏃♀️ Morning harbour run
🎨 Banksy treasure hunt
🎲 ‘Publish & Perish’ game
🖼️ Poster bingo
Come for the research, stay for the people. Join us!
👉 stienid2025.org/registration-1