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The Association for Materials Protection and Performance Launches Unified Digital Library on the Silverchair Platform

Silverchair and the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) announced the launch of the new AMPP (content) Store on the Silverchair Platform. The new site serves as a repository for AMPP’s vast range of content, including primary research, use cases, industry standards, and technical and professional publications.

AMPP is the world’s leading organization dedicated to protecting assets and performance materials through member and workforce education and credentialing, company accreditation, technological innovation, and global standardization.

As part of their broader organizational transformation initiative around digital unification, AMPP sought to create a digital library that brings together their wide array of content, including over 900 standards, their flagship journal Corrosion, Materials Performance Magazine, Coatings Pro Magazine,  52 books, and more than 22,000 conference papers. The digital library leverages Silverchair’s scalable, responsive technology to provide access to a wealth of materials for AMPP’s growing, global audience of scholars, professionals, and craftsmen.

“Our partnership with AMPP has continued to symbolize the alignment of our missions and shared organizational ethos,” said Will Schweitzer, Silverchair’s CEO. “We are honored to support the AMPP team in delivering on their ambitious plans for the important resources they publish. Their new unified platform will not only help AMPP reach a broader audience, but also provide their team with the tools and services to assemble varied content sets into the next generation of knowledge products.”

“At the onset, our member leadership asked for a unified, searchable body of knowledge,” said Mandy May, Director, Content Management at AMPP. “Our content types are varied—from standards to magazine articles to even some physical products. While many efforts like this start with a lofty goal, it is not often that all content remains in scope. Silverchair worked tirelessly to host/make discoverable all content from the original scope incorporating an exhaustive AMPP-specific taxonomy—all while we simultaneously implemented a new association management system. Thank you, Silverchair team, for being the ultimate partners.”

De Gruyter Brill accelerates open access transformation, making 58 journals freely available via Subscribe to Open

De Gruyter Brill is expanding its Subscribe to Open program, DG2O, by immediately switching 37 additional journals to open access. In total, 58 journals from the De Gruyter portfolio will be published open access via DG2O in 2025, making approximately 2,300 research articles freely available to the global scholarly community. The transition is made possible through the continued commitment of libraries and institutions, whose renewed subscriptions helped meet the necessary funding threshold.

Among the renowned titles now accessible under DG2O are Historische Zeitschrift, (est 1859), Archiv für Geschichte der Philosophie, (1888), Analyse und Kritik (1979), feministische studien (1982), Zeitschrift für Kristallographie – Crystalline Materials(1877), and Biological Chemistry (1878).

De Gruyter Brill plans to convert approximately 270 subscription journals from the De Gruyter portfolio to open access via DG2O by 2028, with around 70 additional titles expected to transition by 2026. Following the merger of De Gruyter and Brill, the publisher is currently developing a comprehensive joint open access transformation strategy and assessing the future role of DG2O within its joint journal portfolio.

DG2O offers a sustainable and equitable route for transitioning subscription journals to open access, one year at a time. Leveraging existing library relationships and subscriptions instead of relying on author publication fees (APCs), the model ensures fair and inclusive access for researchers—particularly those in disciplines, regions, or institutions where APC funding is less established. This approach is especially beneficial for journals in the humanities and social sciences, where traditional open access funding mechanisms are less prevalent.

„We are thrilled to reach this milestone and deeply grateful for the trust placed in our Subscribe to Open program by the library community. Through continued collaboration with our institutional partners, we aim to transition even more journals to open access, ensuring broader accessibility for scholars in the humanities, social sciences, and beyond,” said Ben Ashcroft, Chief Commercial Officer, De Gruyter Brill.

Wiley Releases AI Guidelines for Authors

Wiley, one of the world’s largest publishers and a global leader in research and learning, released a set of guidelines on the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in authorship this week at the London Book Fair. In the new guidelines and accompanying FAQs, Wiley provides suggestions to authors on how to utilize AI tools in their manuscript preparation while preserving the author’s authentic voice and expertise, maintaining reliable, trusted, and accurate content, safeguarding intellectual property and privacy, and meeting ethics and integrity best practices.  

The guidelines respond directly to broad demand for publisher guidance in utilizing AI, requested by around 70% of researchers in Wiley’s recent ExplanAItions study, and were informed by extensive interviews with authors, editorial staff and AI experts. 

“Writers and researchers are already using AI tools, whether publishers like it or not,” said Jay Flynn, Wiley EVP & General Manager, Research & Learning. “At Wiley, we’d rather embrace this shift than fight it. Our recent study shows these technologies will be everywhere within two years, and we want our authors to use them confidently while adhering to the strictest standards of quality and ethics. That’s why we’ve created straightforward guidelines that cut through the hype and help people do their best work while using these new tools.” 

Wiley’s AI guidelines provide insights for authorship based on needs identified through interviews with nonfiction, academic and business book authors. They are accompanied by FAQs that address the following: 

  • Where to start for those new to AI, including development of effective prompts; 
  • How to compare and analyze different AI tools, including for accuracy, privacy, and intellectual property; and 
  • How to track and disclose AI usage in published works. 

Wiley will follow up with an additional set of FAQs specific to researchers’ needs in the coming months. 

Wiley has taken a proactive approach to the development and integration of AI into research and publishing. Earlier this week, the publisher announced a new partnership that will provide access to a curated collection of earth science research materials to help enhance the training and capabilities of the European Space Agency’s Earth Virtual Expert (EVE).  

Wiley is committed to the responsible use of AI and has officially established core principles—focusing on the importance of human oversight, transparency, fairness, and appropriate governance—upon which its journey is grounded. Wiley is actively pursuing AI opportunities but also thoughtfully managing the risks.   

The new AI guidelines for authors can be found on the Wiley website

Springer Nature to Expand Access for 2,000 Canadian Researchers at Simon Fraser University’s Community Scholars Program

Springer Nature announced its increasing support for the Community Scholars Program (CSP) at Simon Fraser University (SFU). The CSP supports Canadians to engage in research for the purpose of bettering society and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Springer Nature has participated in the CSP since its creation in 2017. With the aim of providing librarian support and collaboration with Community Scholars in their local areas, SFU is developing partnerships with other university libraries across Canada. As SFU expands the CSP to additional provinces, Springer Nature likewise commits to expanding access to its journals and ebooks for CSP’s under-resourced researchers. The publisher will provide 500 additional seats for researchers each year, to a total of 2,000 seats gratis.

The CSP provides access to over 20,000 titles at no cost to not-for-profit researchers and communities working in fields related to the SDGs on issues such as poverty alleviation, food security, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable community development. Participating scholars are also able to consult with librarians and receive customized services. Springer Nature will continue to support CSP researchers, providing access to its content at no charge, including Springer journals and ebooks in 23 subject collections.

Maria Lopes, Vice President of Institutional Sales at Springer Nature, said: “Springer Nature is fully committed to driving scientific discovery especially in the areas of the UN SDGs. We are proud to support the work of the CSP at SFU by ensuring greater access to key scholarly materials for researchers working to advance knowledge and improve society.”

Heather De Forest, Community Scholars Librarian at Simon Fraser University, said: “Access to research publications is so valuable for participants working in community organizations who excel at mobilizing research, transforming scholarly knowledge into actionable insights in their programs and with their peers. Participants have told us that accessing scholarly publications supports their policy and advocacy efforts, program innovation and evaluation, staff learning and development, and their ability to seek funding. 

“Springer Nature was a foundational supporter of the Community Scholars Program and we’ve been grateful for — and bolstered by — the continued partnership as the program has developed and expanded.”

Integra Launches Accessibility Microsite to Help Publishers Meet Global Accessibility Standards

Integra, a global leader in content transformation solutions and a Benetech-certified accessibility solutions vendor, has launched a dedicated Accessibility Microsite to help publishers, educational institutions, and businesses create accessible digital content for all users, including those with disabilities.

Meeting Evolving Accessibility Requirements

With global accessibility mandates including the European Accessibility Act (EAA), WCAG 2.2, Section 508, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) becoming increasingly stringent, publishers face mounting pressure to ensure compliance. The European Accessibility Act, which takes effect in June 2025, requires digital products and services—including eBooks and online platforms—to be fully accessible to users with disabilities. Non-compliance risks substantial legal and financial penalties, making proactive accessibility measures essential for publishers worldwide.

Industry-Recognized Expertise

Integra’s Benetech certification demonstrates the company’s adherence to the highest industry standards for accessible content production. Benetech, a nonprofit that develops software for social good, awards this prestigious certification only to vendors who consistently meet rigorous accessibility requirements and demonstrate exceptional expertise in creating born-accessible content. This certification positions Integra as a trusted partner for organizations seeking to fulfill both legal obligations and ethical commitments to accessibility.

Sriram Subramanya, Founder, MD, and CEO of Integra, stated:

“The launch of our Accessibility Microsite underscores Integra’s commitment to helping organizations navigate the evolving landscape of digital accessibility. Our Benetech certification validates our expertise and dedication to accessibility excellence. By providing expert guidance and tailored solutions, we empower our clients to create truly accessible digital experiences across eBooks, PDFs, websites, and interactive content.”

Lakshmanan Thirumoorthy, Deputy General Manager – Production at Integra, added:

“Digital accessibility transcends mere compliance—it’s about ensuring equitable access to information for everyone. As a Benetech-certified vendor, we bring proven methodologies and best practices to every project. Our microsite equips organizations with the expertise and tools needed to implement accessibility at scale while significantly enhancing the user experience.”

Comprehensive Accessibility Solutions

As a Benetech-certified vendor, Integra meets the highest standards in accessible content production. The microsite showcases Integra’s full suite of specialized accessibility services:

  • Accessibility Audits – Expert evaluation against WCAG and other global standards with detailed remediation roadmaps
  • Format-Specific Remediation – Tailored solutions for eBooks, PDFs, websites, interactive learning modules, and multimedia content
  • Accessible Content Development – Built-in accessibility frameworks for new content creation
  • Compliance Documentation – Supporting materials to meet legal and regulatory requirements
  • AI-Enhanced Implementation – Advanced tools that streamline accessibility integration without compromising content integrity

Integra has established itself at the forefront of accessibility through strategic partnerships with global publishers and EdTech providers. Its innovative solutions help organizations not only achieve compliance but also significantly improve the experience for users with disabilities.

30 Years of Industry Leadership

With over 30 years of experience working with leading publishers and educational institutions, Integra brings deep industry expertise and a proven track record of delivering high-quality content solutions at scale. This extensive experience enables Integra to anticipate evolving market needs and deliver innovative, future-ready accessibility solutions tailored to the publishing industry.

Explore Integra’s comprehensive accessibility solutions and resources at Integra’s Accessibility Microsite.

ASTM International Selects Silverchair to Host ASTM Digital Library

Silverchair announced today a new partnership with ASTM International, an internationally recognized leader in engineering standards and technical publications, to migrate the ASTM Digital Library to the Silverchair Platform.

The ASTM Digital Library houses a variety of engineering content, including ASTM journals, proceedings (STP’s) and manuals, monographs, data series and technical reports. Silverchair will now host ASTM’s comprehensive collection of more than 35,000 chapters and papers, including 17,000 journal articles spanning multiple engineering disciplines.  

According to Stuart Radcliffe, ASTM International’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, the ASTM Digital Library will benefit from not only cutting-edge technological capabilities, but also access to a vibrant community of scholarly publishers who drive the future of the platform.

“Our partnership with Silverchair represents a significant leap forward in how we deliver critical technical information to our global readership of engineers, researchers, and industry professionals,” said Radcliffe. “We’re not just implementing a technology solution; we’re joining a collaborative community that ensures our digital strategy remains flexible, innovative, and aligned with our organizational goals.”

“Silverchair is delighted to support ASTM’s objectives of creating a scalable, modern digital library that delivers intuitive access to ASTM’s extensive library of technical publications,” said Will Schweitzer, Silverchair CEO. “Silverchair clients continue to benefit from the addition of new partners like ASTM, and we look forward to welcoming them to our community.”

ASCE Integrates with Charlesworth Gateway for Enhanced Author Communication

Charlesworth, a leading provider of author engagement and workflow solutions, is pleased to announce the integration of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) with the Charlesworth Gateway using the Aries Editorial Manager WeChat Paper Status Notification plug-in service. This enhances ASCE’s engagement with its Chinese author community by directly delivering real-time paper status notifications to their mobile devices through the WeChat app. 

ASCE, the oldest national civil engineering society in the United States, represents over 160,000 civil engineering professionals in 177 countries. By integrating with the Charlesworth Gateway, ASCE will streamline communication with authors through their preferred messaging app, WeChat.

Charlesworth’s Gateway, an award-winning platform, allows publishers to connect with their APAC region authors via global messaging apps like WeChat, LINE, KaKaoTalk and WhatsApp, reducing reliance on email and streamlining communication.

“We are excited to partner with Charlesworth to elevate our commitment to the author community in China. Using Gateway, ASCE can now communicate directly with our authors in Chinese via WeChat, streamlining the publication process and ensuring a seamless author experience.” – Leslie Connelly, Director, Publications Marketing, ASCE

We are delighted to support ASCE in enhancing engagement with their Chinese author community through the Charlesworth Gateway. By integrating with our WeChat Paper Status Notification service, ASCE can provide real-time updates, improving communication and streamlining the author experience.” – Andrew Smith, Product & Marketing Director, Charlesworth

Hum Launches Alchemist Review, an AI-Driven Peer Review Solution

Hum is excited to announce the launch of Alchemist Review, an advanced AI-powered tool designed to enhance the efficiency, consistency, and quality of the peer review process. Developed in collaboration with GroundedAI, Alchemist Review assists editors and reviewers by extracting and analysing text, images and citations within manuscripts.

Building upon initial collaborative efforts with early society partners and university press customers, Alchemist Review combines Hum’s expertise in manuscript content analysis and GroundedAI’s advanced citation evaluation, offering editors and reviewers a powerful set of AI-driven capabilities:

  • Deep Manuscript Analysis: Extracts core claims, assesses methodologies, evaluates statistical rigor, and identifies research novelty.
  • Comprehensive Citation Validation: Ensures citations are contextually accurate, authoritative, and relevant.
  • Interactive AI Chatbot: Provides real-time, context-aware assistance directly within the manuscript review environment.
  • Enhanced Productivity: Offloads routine tasks, enabling peer reviewers and editors to focus on critical analysis and high-value editorial tasks.

“Reviewer fatigue, long turnaround times, and growing manuscript volumes are huge issues. We’ve worked closely with publishers to shape Alchemist Review and focus on creating tools to help editors solve these problems,” said Dustin Smith, Co-founder and President of Hum.

“AI has incredible potential in scholarly publishing, but the real challenge is figuring out how to apply it in a way that is both practical and responsible,” said Ann Michael, Chief Transformation Officer of AIP Publishing.

“By working with frontier AI companies like Hum and GroundedAI, we’ve been able to combine deep publishing expertise with cutting-edge AI development—allowing us to test real-world applications faster and more effectively than we could on our own. This kind of collaboration is essential for developing tools that actually serve the research community”

“We are thrilled to be working with such powerful and effective partners in our shared mission to increase the quality and efficiency of the peer review process,” said Nick Morley, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of GroundedAI.

Hum and GroundedAI continue to evolve Alchemist Review, conducting live pilots with select journals and inviting feedback from the community to further refine the platform.

Reviewer Credits and Kriyadocs launch new partnership

Reviewer Credits, the Berlin-based network for peer reviewers and publishing integrity hub, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Kriyadocs, integrating the Reviewer Credits recognition capabilities into the Kriyadocs Unified Publishing Ecosystem (UPE) workflow.

“The collaboration between Kriyadocs and Reviewer Credits marks a significant step forward in enhancing the peer review process,” says Emre Danisan, Tech Lead at Reviewer Credits. “By integrating reviewer recognition and verification into an efficient publishing workflow, we are ensuring that reviewers receive the credit they deserve while strengthening the integrity and transparency of academic publishing. This partnership not only streamlines operations for publishers but also fosters a more engaged and motivated global reviewer community.”

“We are delighted to partner with Reviewer Credits to enhance the scholarly publishing experience,” says Ravi Venkataramani, CEO at Kriyadocs. “This collaboration streamlines the peer review process, promotes transparency, and ensures that peer reviewers receive the recognition they deserve for their invaluable contributions to academic publishing.”

Aries Systems and Cactus Communications Expand Partnership to Improve Research Quality with Automated Checks

Aries Systems Corporation, a leading technology workflow solutions provider to the scholarly publishing community, announces a partnership with Cactus Communications (CACTUS), a leading science communication and technology company, to offer publishers an AI-powered automated solution for detecting compromised manuscripts.

As scholarly journals continue to experience a high-volume of incoming submissions, ensuring only the most suitable articles proceed to peer review is critical. Research integrity, language quality, scope, and formatting concerns can result in costly bottlenecks at the initial triage stage, further delayed by highly manual technical checks by editorial staff. To automate this process and enhance content quality, Aries Systems and CACTUS have collaborated to integrate Paperpal Preflight for Editorial Desk (PPE),  a research integrity assessment and publication readiness tool, with Editorial Manager® (EM), the leading manuscript submission and peer review tracking system.

Leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), PPE’s suite of checks evaluates manuscripts against three key pillars – research integrity, language quality, and technical compliance. Post-submission, PPE automatically analyzes the manuscript and generates a detailed report which is returned to EM for editorial review. Enabling editors to quickly identify problematic articles at an early stage, PPE streamlines the screening process without disrupting their current workflow, while also allowing for faster decisions on desk rejections or advancement to peer review. If the AI integrity check returns inconclusive, the editor can request an IntegrityGUARD human check by PPE’s PhD technical reviewers. This cutting-edge integration safeguards against bad actors and expensive retractions – promoting trust in the journal and published research.

Nikesh Gosalia, President, Global Academic & Publisher Relations at Cactus Communications said, “Ensuring the integrity of research remains paramount for the entire scholarly publishing ecosystem. We are happy to deepen our partnership with Aries and work closely with them to support publishers to help optimize their time and resources by providing them comprehensive checks through Paperpal Preflight for Editorial Desk.”

“We are thrilled to expand our existing partnership with CACTUS and the Paperpal Preflight product line by extending AI-based quality checks to the Editorial Desk,” said Pierre Montagano, Aries Director of Sales and Business Development. “This collaboration empowers Editors to quickly identify and address unpolished, fraudulent, and unsuitable articles within their existing workflow – saving time and supporting quality research output.” The Editorial Manager and Paperpal Preflight for Editorial Desk integration is now available. For more information, please visit https://paperpal.com/preflight-for-editorial-desk#get-in-touch

Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN), Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa), and PLOS launch open science initiative for North Africa

On February 26th, 2025, the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN), Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa), and Public Library of Science (PLOS) hosted a dynamic virtual webinar to officially launch their strategic partnership aimed at promoting and strengthening open science principles and practices across North Africa.  This collaboration brings together ASREN’s regional network infrastructure, TCC Africa’s expertise in research capacity building, and PLOS’ global leadership in open access and open science to enhance research visibility, accessibility, and scientific collaboration in the region. The webinar, attended by over 100 participants, served as a platform for meaningful discussions on advancing open science initiatives and fostering a more inclusive and globally connected research ecosystem. A highlight of the event was an interactive session where participants shared challenges, explored opportunities, and proposed potential areas for collaboration to strengthen open science efforts in the region. The partnership was officially launched by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the three organizations, formalizing their commitment to driving change and promoting open science among researchers, policymakers, and institutions.

The initiative will focus on developing comprehensive, locally driven open science frameworks through capacity building, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. A key element of the partnership is the national open science dialogues, bringing together institutional leaders, policymakers, and representatives from universities and research institutions. These dialogues will be instrumental in shaping the future of open science in their respective countries across North Africa.

“We are here not only to promote and educate but also to implement Open Science mechanisms, ensuring that Open Science is accessible, and that the community can fully embrace an Open Science culture. Our partnership is a key part of this commitment. We are proud of this engagement as it allows us to work together not only to bring North Africa into the conversation but to unite the entire African continent, said Prof Yousef Torman, Managing Director, ASREN.

“PLOS has been collaborating with TCC Africa since 2021 to support and advance Open Science in Africa. Our partnerships with local stakeholders are core to this programme of work, ensuring a regional and national focus that reflects and addresses local challenges and barriers to Open Science adoption. Our latest partnership with ASREN continues this approach, fostering strategic collaborations and sustained engagement with key local actors. We are delighted to work with ASREN to progress our engagement with North African Open Science stakeholders and communities,” said Roheena Anand, Executive Director, Global Publishing & Sales, PLOS.

This is such a great milestone for us as partners, we are targeting a region that has been advancing efforts in Open Access and has been keen on increasing their advocacy on Open Science more broadly,” said Joy Owango, Executive Director, Training Centre in Communication.

The collaboration will address critical areas in North Africa:

– Increased awareness and adoption of open science policies

– Strengthened collaboration and stakeholder engagement

– Promoting open science policies at institutional and national levels

– Enhancing capacity for open access publishing

– Improved understanding of local knowledge and networks

The initiative builds on existing momentum in the region, where countries like Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya have already begun implementing open science initiatives. The partnership will work closely with key regional bodies, including the Association of Arab Universities and the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (FASRC).

Please access the event recording here: https://tccafrica.pubpub.org/pub/8rg6mvve/release/1

University of Kansas and Frontiers renew flat fee open access agreement for 2025

The University of Kansas (KU) and award-winning open science platform Frontiers are pleased to announce the renewal of their open-access publishing partnership for an additional year. Initially established in 2024, this agreement maintains its terms to provide KU researchers with seamless, cost-free access to publish in all Frontiers journals. 

Starting January 1, 2025, corresponding authors affiliated with KU’s Lawrence and Edwards campuses will continue to enjoy unlimited publishing across Frontiers’ portfolio of 229 open access journals, with article publishing charges (APCs) fully covered by the partnership. 

Scott Hanrath, KU Libraries associate dean of research engagement emphasized the ongoing benefits for KU scholars: “KU Libraries remains committed to creating opportunities that enhance the visibility and accessibility of our researchers’ work. Renewing this agreement with Frontiers reinforces our goal of advancing an open, equitable, and sustainable publishing future.”   

By continuing with the flat fee model, the University of Kansas reaffirms its commitment to providing:  

  • Unlimited publishing opportunities for affiliated researchers, driving impact of KU research. 
  • Predictable and transparent fixed annual cost that delivers simplified budgeting. 
  • Reduced administrative responsibilities for library and research staff.  
  • Full support for open-access principles, including immediate access under CC-BY licensing and author-retained copyrights.  

“Frontiers’ flat-fee model is designed to remove financial obstacles for researchers, facilitating broader adoption of open-access publishing,” added Dr Franck Vazquez, Frontiers’ Director of Open Science, Europe & Asia-Pacific. “This model is a key step toward shifting the scholarly publishing paradigm, improving transparency, reducing costs and administrative complexities.” 

Julia Kostova, Frontiers’ Director of Open Science US, added, “Our partnership with KU enables researchers to easily publish their impactful research open access at no cost to them, while also ensuring financial sustainability for our library partner in the fast-evolving landscape of scholarly communications today. This is a win for open science.” 

To be eligible under the partnership, researchers need to ensure that the corresponding author is affiliated with KU and that they use their institutional email address when submitting the manuscript.  

This renewed partnership highlights the shared commitment to advancing open science and empowering researchers to focus on discovering and disseminating knowledge. By eliminating financial and administrative barriers, this agreement enhances the global visibility and impact of KU’s research and strengthens the foundation for a more transparent and equitable scholarly publishing landscape.