SURFACE Hosts Open Access Journals

by Dylan Mohr, Open Scholarship Librarian

Syracuse University’s open access institutional repository, SURFACE, is home to fourteen active journals. Managed by Syracuse University Libraries, the team has added eight active, diamond open access (OA) journals to SURFACE since 2022. Why does that matter?

Unlike other open access models, diamond OA journals on SURFACE have no article processing charges (APCs) for authors or their institutions. This allows scholars from all disciplines to publish without financial barriers, making research more equitable and accessible. Within this model, our journals are freely available to readers across the world, which broadens the reach of our authors and supports a more sustainable OA ecosystem. SURFACE journal articles have been downloaded 226,000 times in the past two years.

The journal publishing arm of SURFACE constitutes one aspect of Syracuse Libraries multi-pronged approach to supporting open access scholarship. In addition to read and publish agreements (which cover APC costs with select publishers) and other investments in the open access ecosystem, SURFACE-based journals are provided with a free platform to host their journal as well as the expertise of the SURFACE team to get their journal off the ground and keep it in the air.

The SURFACE team provides:

• Editorial board training
• ISSN registration
• Minting of Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) and other support with other persistent identifiers
• Copyright and licensing
• Journal indexing and discoverability
• Detailed analytics and impact tracking

Thinking about taking your existing journal open access, or do you have plans to create a new journal? Schedule an appointment with the SURFACE team to discuss how open access can benefit your authors and learn more about publishing with SU Libraries! Contact surface@syr.edu.

The journals with new issues out this fall include:

• Concurrent Enrollment Review: The first independent, open access, peer reviewed journal dedicated to research in the field of dual/concurrent enrollment. Issue two is now available!

• Chronos: Chronos is the undergraduate history journal of Syracuse University. Established in 2005, Chronos provides a platform for undergraduate students to publish their research and contribute to the wider body of historical scholarship. We publish not just for history students, but for the entire Syracuse community. Chronos also organizes an annual academic conference comprising of undergraduate research presentations, and panel discussions between students and faculty.

Other journals include

• Corresponding Voices: A bilingual poetry journal founded in 2002. Through new print editions published every spring, Corresponding Voices is intended to encourage dialogue among poets across cultures. The Point of Contact Gallery, which publishes Corresponding Voices, has become a habitual meeting place for poetry readings in all languages, encouraging the participation of poets and scholars from the region and from abroad, as well as Syracuse University faculty, students and members of Hispanic communities across Central New York. More information may be found at the Point of Contact Gallery website.

• BEADS: Journal of the Society of Bead Researchers. Initiated in 1989 to encourage and publish scholarly research on beads and beadwork of all materials and periods from around the world. Researchers are invited to submit scholarly articles on topics that involve beads, especially from an archaeological or ethnographic context. Full text is available for volumes one (1989) through six (1994) and select others. Titles, tables of contents and abstracts are available for all volumes (1989-present). Paper copies of many back issues of the journal are available for purchase. Visit the SBR website for details.

• EnglishUSA Journal: A diamond open access journal that focuses on theory and practice in the field of teaching English as a second/foreign language and serves as a medium for sharing best practices, addressing current issues and presenting research. Submissions will be received by the EnglishUSA Professional Development Activities Committee (PDAC), evaluated by peer-reviewers and published in an online journal to be shared with the EnglishUSA members and the wider ESL/EFL community. The EnglishUSA Journal is created for readers interested in English language teaching, administration and leadership at the post-secondary level. The journal is published twice/annually and features practical and theoretical content primarily focused on programs that serve language learners in proprietary programs or university-governed institutions. Featured articles support EnglishUSA’s interest to represent, support and be the recognized voice of English language programs, emphasizing engagement, integrity, excellence and collaboration.

• Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning: peer-reviewed, fully open-access journal provided by the professional association NYACTE (New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education). The Journal welcomes original, thought-provoking manuscripts of various formats, including papers presenting research on issues and practices important to teacher education that contribute to the preparation and professional development of educators. The journal became a fully online, open-access journal in 2018. There are no fees to submitting authors for article processing charges, publication charges, or otherwise, and a subscription is unnecessary to read. All articles as of Issue 11, Volume 1, 2018 are open access. Back issues of Excelsior are currently available only in print. Contact the editors if you have questions on the back issues. Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning is supported by NYACTE and sponsored by the Syracuse University Libraries.

• Information Literacy Collab: A diamond open access publication by and for students and early career professionals that fosters critical conversations about reflective and ethical information practices within a variety of learning environments. The Information Literacy Collab is a space to develop skills in scholarly communications and open access publishing. We encourage a variety of submissions, including but not limited to, informational studies, instructional lessons, traditional academic papers, case studies, book reviews, editorials and literature reviews.
• Intertext: A publication showcasing the best undergraduate writing from Syracuse University’s Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition. It exemplifies the power of writing and collaboration to inform and inspire.

• iY-1 Perspectives: Featuring a selection of work by undergraduate international students completing their first year of study in Syracuse University’s iY-1 program. Each issue contains students’ explorations of a global issue covered in the English for Academic Purposes course. The work represents their effort to master core communication skills in English that will help them to succeed as they continue their higher education journey.

• Mend: Celebrating the lives and creative work of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people as well as individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. This annual publication showcases writing of all types, including fiction, poetry and nonfiction. While prospective authors may submit pieces that describe their experiences with incarceration, the publication welcomes contributions on any topic.

• Newhouse Impact Journal: An imprint of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, it is a vibrant examination of the most transformative aspects of the communications industry. Unveiling the forefront of innovative technologies, trends, strategies and challenges, this journal explores the evolving landscape of connecting and conveying information. Uncover the newest advancements, stimulating perspectives and future-oriented analyses that delineate the leading edge of communication in this indispensable review.

• Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce (JILC): First published in October 1972, the Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce is a student-run publication at the Syracuse University College of Law with the distinction of being one of the oldest student-edited international law journals in the United States. JILC publishes articles, notes and commentary on a wide range of subjects in the fields of international, transnational and comparative law on a biannual basis. They continue to enjoy a strong and diverse subscription base across the globe. For the most recently published volumes and for information about article submission, please see the Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce main web page.

• Syracuse Scholar (1979-1991). From 1979 to 1991 Syracuse Scholar, designed and published by the Syracuse University Publications, highlighted academic achievements and facilitated the communication of the ideas across disciplines. Syracuse University's 9th Chancellor, Melvin A. Eggers said at the birth of this journal, "The arrival of Syracuse Scholar provides an excellent opportunity to spotlight the academic achievements of the University and the distinctive work and accomplishments of its faculty. I believe that the Scholar will become an important reflection of the life of this institution."

• Syracuse University Magazine (Syracuse University Archives). Syracuse University's official magazine, it consists of original articles as well as news briefs and alumni notes. For questions or concerns about the magazine or your subscription, please contact the Alumni Association directly at sualumni@syr.edu.

• The Crown: Syracuse Honors Research Journal: A new SU undergraduate research journal, edited by and for Honors students, created to provide a platform for their legacy and work to live on. Born out of an Honors course dedicated to journal production, The Crown seeks to highlight the academic work of students from all disciplines in one central location. The journal includes a variety of pieces from technical projects to analytical essays, all of which are open access and peer reviewed. The inaugural edition of The Crown was published in December 2023. The next edition of the journal will be edited and published in fall 2025. Submissions are open now for any work completed in the spring 2024 semester or later. See the submission page for more information. Contact via email at thecrownsu@gmail.com or follow on Instagram @thecrownsu!

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