Ina Smith, the Planning Manager, Scholarly Publishing Unit, Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), & DOAJ Ambassador for Southern Africa, gave an in-depth presentation on how African researchers and journals can increase their visibility and impact through DOAJ.
Watch the recording
The slides are available at https://africarxiv.ubuntunet.net/handle/1/1704
Related resources
DOAJ Website: https://doaj.org/
DOAJ Guide to apply for Indexing of OA Journals: https://doaj.org/apply/guide
Speaker’s Profile:
Ina Smith is a strong advocate for open science, especially in Africa and South Africa. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked at universities like the University of Pretoria and Stellenbosch University, focusing on repositories and journal publishing. She has a Master’s in Computer Integrated Education and has helped implement important projects like UPSpace and SUNScholar.
Since 2014, Ina has been the Planning Manager at the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). She is a DOAJ Ambassador for Southern Africa and led the review of the DOAJ Ambassador Programme in 2024. She also led the African Open Science landscape study and helped create the African Scientists Directory. Ina’s work in open science has earned her several awards, including the LIASA Librarian of the Year in 2016.
Questions that were addressed during the session
What are the key criteria for journals to be indexed in DOAJ, and how can African journals meet these standards?
To be indexed in DOAJ, journals must meet high editorial standards: quality peer review, clear open access policies, ethical publishing practices, and transparency in operations. African journals can meet these by following best practices in open publishing, seeking support from DOAJ if needed, and ensuring that their processes are clearly documented and accessible online.
How can researchers and institutions in Africa benefit from having their journals and articles listed in DOAJ?
Being listed in DOAJ greatly boosts visibility and trust. It makes journals and articles more discoverable to a global audience, increases citations, and builds institutional reputation. Researchers also find it easier to share their work openly, leading to broader collaboration opportunities and real-world impact across Africa and beyond.
What are some common challenges faced by African open access journals, and how can DOAJ help address these issues?
Challenges include limited technical capacity, funding constraints, and lack of knowledge around best practices for open publishing. DOAJ helps by offering guidance, resources, and free listing services. We also collaborate with regional partners to provide training and workshops tailored to the needs of African journal editors and publishers.
Can you share any success stories of African journals or researchers who have gained significant visibility and impact through DOAJ?
Yes, several African journals listed in DOAJ have reported increased submissions from international authors and higher citation rates. For instance, journals from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa have seen tangible growth in readership and partnerships after being indexed. DOAJ opens doors for journals to step onto the globally visible research stage.
How does DOAJ support the development and sustainability of open access publishing in regions with limited resources, such as parts of Africa?
We focus on capacity building, offering free tools, support, and advocacy for open access in underserved regions. DOAJ also works closely with networks in Africa to encourage sustainable models, such as diamond open access (no fees for authors or readers). Our goal is to ensure that every researcher, no matter where they are, has a fair opportunity to share their work.
How African Researchers and Institutions Can Benefit from the Session with DOAJ:
Understanding the Path to Global Visibility
Participants learned how getting indexed in DOAJ boosts international exposure. African journals can reach wider audiences, attract more high-quality submissions, and demonstrate credibility through their open access commitment.
Learning Best Practices for Journal Management
The session provided insights into editorial quality, transparency, and ethical standards needed for journals to meet DOAJ’s criteria. This knowledge equips African journal editors and institutions to strengthen their publishing practices.
Building Capacity for Sustainable Publishing
African institutions gained an understanding of how to set up sustainable open access models, including diamond open access. DOAJ’s support resources and guidance help local journals thrive even with limited financial and technical resources.
Connecting to International Research Networks
By being listed in DOAJ, African journals and researchers become part of a global ecosystem. The session explained how this opens opportunities for partnerships, funding, and international research collaboration.
Overcoming Common Publishing Challenges
DOAJ offered practical advice on addressing common hurdles like peer review management, editorial transparency, and technical challenges. African researchers and institutions learned how to overcome these issues effectively.
Next Steps for Journals and Researchers
The webinar provided a clear action plan for journals and institutions interested in applying to DOAJ. From improving websites to documenting policies and editorial processes, participants were empowered to take immediate steps toward inclusion.
About the webinar series
This webinar was co-organized by UbuntuNet Alliance and Access 2 Perspectives as part of the ORCID Global Participation Program.
ORCID is the persistent identifier for researchers to share their accomplishments (research articles, data, etc with funding agencies, publishers, data repositories, and other research workflows.
AfricArXiv is a community-led digital archive for African research communication. By enhancing the visibility of African research, we enable discoverability and collaboration opportunities for African scientists on the continent as well as globally.