Researchers in cognitive science (neuroscience, philosophy, computer science, linguistics and other relevant disciplines) are invited to contribute to the Diamond Initiative by pledging to publish at least one scholarly work through a diamond open access outlet within a five-year period. By doing this, participants contribute to a more inclusive and accessible knowledge-sharing environment and promote alternative community-led and university-led publishers. Once the pledge reaches 500 signatories their names will become public. This threshold is needed to ensure that the cognitive science community is acting together and that signatories will not be seen as less competitive by choosing to publish in a community-driven journal rather than a prestigious for-profit journal.
Addressing systemic issues inherent in the current academic publishing system is imperative, as these problems not only decrease the quality of our science but also contribute to the restriction of access to information, especially impacting institutions and individuals who cannot afford the unreasonable prices set by traditional publishers for their journal subscriptions, article processing charges (APCs) and book publishing charges (BPCs). The Diamond Initiative thus represents a call for action on part of researchers that wish to partake in building a truly just and equitable academia. We hope that successful collective engagement in this initiative will resonate with stakeholders beyond the researcher community, garnering support from governmental bodies and funding institutions.
This collective action is organized by Free Our Knowledge a coalition of researchers organizing grassroots action in support of open science. For further information, to participate in the pledge, or to engage with the movement, please visit
By Mihaela Cimpean, PhD candidate at Radboud University , committee member Free Our Knowledge and one of the organizers of the Collective Action In Science Diamond. Read more here.