Ethical Publishing in conservation
Are you looking for a more ethical journal to publish your research, but not sure where to begin?
Explore the Ethical Publishing in Biodiversity Conservation Science database — a curated list of over 400 journals evaluated against Fair Open Access principles.
Start your search for transparent, accessible, and responsible publishing today.
I am committed to advancing more ethical and inclusive publishing practices in conservation science. For many researchers, especially in academia, publishing in peer-reviewed journals is essential to career progression. Yet, the current publishing landscape is often inequitable — placing significant barriers in the way of those working in under-resourced institutions or regions.
My own research has shown that most conservation journals fall short of meeting the Fair Open Access (FOA) principles. Among 426 journals evaluated, two-thirds complied with only two or fewer FOA standards, and just 5% met all five. High publishing fees, restricted access to research, and limited control over intellectual outputs remain common challenges — particularly for researchers in the Global South.
These inequities have real consequences for how science is accessed, shared, and applied in conservation practice. Addressing them is not only a matter of academic fairness, but a critical step toward making conservation science more collaborative, inclusive, and effective.