Directory of Open Access Journals

Directory of Open Access Journals is a community-curated online directory that indexes and provides access to high-quality, peer-reviewed open access journals. Launched at the University of Lund in 2003, it operates as a key infrastructure project within the global open access movement, aiming to increase the visibility and ease of use of scholarly literature. The directory is recognized as a principal resource for researchers, librarians, and funders seeking to identify reputable open access publications across all disciplines and languages.

History and development

The initiative was founded on May 12, 2003, by Lars Bjørnshauge, then at Lund University Library, with initial support from the Open Society Institute and later from organizations like the Joint Information Systems Committee. Its creation was a direct response to the Budapest Open Access Initiative and aimed to address the growing but dispersed landscape of open access publishing. Early development was significantly aided by partnerships with institutions such as the University of Nottingham and the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition. A major technological overhaul occurred in 2013, transitioning the platform to a more robust infrastructure to manage its rapid growth, supported by funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and others in the community.

Content and scope

The directory provides detailed metadata for thousands of scholarly journals spanning all major fields, including STEM, social sciences, and humanities. It includes publications from a diverse array of countries and publishers, from large commercial entities like Elsevier and Springer Nature to university presses such as the University of California Press and scholarly societies like the Royal Society. Coverage is global, with strong representation from regions including Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. All listed journals must provide immediate open access to their full content, adhering to licenses like those from Creative Commons, and the directory itself is accessible via a public API for integration with library systems and discovery services.

Selection criteria and standards

The directory employs a rigorous, manual application and review process conducted by a team of editors and volunteers. Key criteria for inclusion require that a journal must practice peer review, have a registered ISSN, and provide permanent DOIs for articles. The application examines the journal's editorial board, publication ethics, copyright and licensing policies, and operational transparency. This vetting process is designed to combat predatory publishing and uphold standards aligned with principles from the Committee on Publication Ethics and the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association. Journals are also re-assessed periodically to ensure continued compliance.

Impact and reception

The directory is widely cited as an authoritative source in academic policy, including by the European Commission and research funders like the National Institutes of Health and the Wellcome Trust. It has influenced the development of other key resources, such as the Sherpa Romeo service for publisher policies. Its stringent criteria have made inclusion a mark of quality for journals, often referenced in mandates from institutions like the University of Helsinki and the Research Council of Norway. The service has received critical acclaim from organizations including the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and is integrated into the research workflows of major libraries worldwide.

Governance and funding

Governance is overseen by a board comprising representatives from the global library and publishing community. The operation is managed by a small team based in Sweden, with editorial support from an international network. Historically funded by a mix of donations, membership fees, and grants from bodies like the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, it transitioned to a community-supported sustainability model. Key financial contributors now include academic consortia such as the Big Ten Academic Alliance, university libraries like those at Harvard University and the University of Oxford, and national libraries including the Koninklijke Bibliotheek.

Category:Open access