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An independent source of news and views sourced from the academic community

Indonesia publishes the most open-access journals in the world: what it means for local research

Indonesia is a world leader in the number of free-to-read published research journals. Know what this means for the research ecosystem in Indonesia.

When to trust (and not to trust) peer reviewed science

The words “published in a peer reviewed journal” are sometimes considered as the gold standard in science. But any professional scientist will tell you that the fact an article has undergone peer review is a long way from an ironclad guarantee of quality.

Hate the peer-review process? Einstein did too

Academic review process was different in Einstein’s time. In his brilliant career, the only time his work was subjected to blind peer review – the authors don’t know the reviewers and vice versa – he showed contempt for what is now the gold standard of science. Was Einstein right to be so suspicious of the peer-review process? Should we learn from him and begin to question the widespread use of peer review in academic science?

A scientist’s plea on coronavirus: now is not the time to relax

A resurgence in cases after the easing of lockdown in many countries shows us that this pandemic is by no means over. We need to remember that now is not the time to relax and take risks.