Philosophy and the Mind Sciences (PhiMiSci). Consolidation of a scientific open access journal.

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Sascha Benjamin Fink; Dr. Wanja Wiese
• Subject Area: Theoretical Philosophy
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 514161146

The aim of this project is to consolidate the open access journal Philosophy and the Mind Sciences (PhiMiSci), available at https://philosophymindscience.org. PhiMiSci uses a double-blind peer review process and has been publishing articles since 2020, by default under a CC-BY license. As an interdisciplinary journal at the interface between philosophy, cognitive neuroscience and psychology, PhiMiSci closes a thematic gap among international philosophical open access journals. As the journal is free of charge for authors and readers, it also stands out from profit-oriented journals with a similar thematic orientation. The main objective of the project is to establish PhiMiSci as an attractive and respected journal by increasing the number of high-quality publications and increasing the automation of editorial processes through the funded measures. This will enable PhiMiSci to establish itself as a promising model of non-profit academic open access publishing practice. To achieve these goals, we will implement the following measures: We aim to reduce the logistical and editorial effort for the publication of the journal. Instructions and templates for authors, reviewers and editors will be extended and improved. Editorial processes will be documented in such a way that they can be taken over by other independent open access journals. The automation of typesetting and production will be further advanced in order to reduce the personnel and financial effort. By organizing workshops and symposia, the visibility and awareness of the journal will be increased in order to (a) increase the number of high-quality publications and (b) recruit additional volunteers from the scientific community to the editorial team. It will be examined to what extent the PhiMiSci model, which relies on voluntary participation (editing, review, proofreading, production, etc.), can be scaled without the permanent need for larger funds for financing. At the same time, possibilities for long-term financing of the journal are being explored in order to ensure financing without publication fees in the long term. Together, these measures promote the use and dissemination of open access science, which particularly benefits young researchers and researchers in financially disadvantaged circumstances. Through the funding, the PhiMiSci model will show that high-quality open access publications can be implemented in the long term with limited financial resources and independent of commercial interests.

• DFG Programme: Science Communication, Research Data, eResearch (Scientific Library Services and Information Systems)
• Participating Institution: Ruhr-Universität Bochum ; Universitätsbibliothek
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Albert Newen