IET Journals ahead of the curve

The IET is to adopt an open access model with the launch of an engineering 'megajournal', becoming the first non-profit engineering institution to do so. The new journal will include a broad range of engineering topics from fields including electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, energy engineering, civil engineering, micro and nanotechnology, computing and software, biomedical engineering and materials engineering.

The decision to launch this open access 'megajournal' comes after a major global review with over 35,000 engineering researchers from academia and industry to gauge their appetite for open access. This research found that 87 per cent of engineering researchers said they would continue to submit articles to a journal if it converted to an open access model, and around a third of them had previously published in an open access journal.

Open access options will also be added to its existing 26 journals. This is part of the IET’s continuing mission to make essential engineering intelligence available to the worldwide engineering community, benefitting researchers who contribute to or use this content.

Mike Carr, chair of the IET’s Knowledge Management Board, said: “The recent Finch report into open access academic publishing underlined the interest in this model and the view amongst many that it is an important element in the future of the industry. We agree. The goal of our knowledge management strategy is to make essential engineering intelligence available worldwide, thereby accelerating both research and innovation: open access is a key part of this, so we are delighted to be taking this historic step.”

For many years now, there has been an issue of whether academic journals should be run on an ‘open access’ model, as opposed to the traditional one that is based on subscriptions. This latter model requires a set amount to be paid up-front, usually by institutions and universities, so that their staff, students, members or other selected users can gain access to the content. In contrast, the open access model removes this subscription fee and the researcher then pays to publish. The publishing process will remain as stringent as it has been historically and every paper published in the open access format will still be peer-reviewed. 

Subscription models will continue at the IET but the introduction of Open Access is hoped to be a well-received addition to the portfolio.