Overview of project
One of the benefits of preprints is that they have the potential to make science communication more equitable. However, there is limited evidence that they achieve this potential. We aim to address this by focussing on authorship networks across preprints.
Collaborators
- Our current collaborators will be listed here as the project progresses
Funding
Any funding tied to this project will be listed here
Background
There is some evidence that suggests preprints are not delivering on their potential equity benefits. For example, preprints posted by authors from Global South countries are much less likely to go on to be published in a journal. More broadly, scientific publishing is known to harbour significant equity issues from women being less likely to have senior authorship positions, publishing fewer articles than male colleagues and receiving fewer citations for their work; all of which feeds into the notion of an “old boys club”.
This project aims to investigate authorship networks across preprints and the impact of gender and geographical location on preprint attention and use. This data will be useful for determining the current equity levels in authorship networks and in providing potential mechanisms for increasing the potential for preprints in improving equity.
Rippling Ideas 