Collection Spotlight: SURFACE-Hosted Journals
by Dylan Mohr, Open Scholarship Librarian
One of the purposes of SURFACE, Syracuse University’s open access institutional repository, is to provide a platform for voices across the university and beyond that might not find a home in other publishing venues. Open access publishing platforms like SURFACE provide the tools and resources for individuals to not just tell but also produce and disseminate their own stories and to share their perspectives and experiences with the world. Two examples of journals that have leveraged this resource to incredible ends are Mend and Intertext. Utilizing SURFACE’s ability to freely host journals, these two publications highlight the importance of using open access publishing resources to expand the number of voices contributing to scholarly and public discourse.
Mend is a multi-modal journal that not only highlights the life and creative work of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals and their families but also provides opportunities to their contributors to take part in the production, design and layout of the journal itself. By prioritizing participatory practices, Mend ensures that, from composition to production, the stories themselves remain under the stewardship of those telling them.
Another publication hosted on SURFACE is Intertext, a student-produced journal that highlights the power of storytelling. Intertext provides Syracuse students with a space to share their voices and see the global impact of their narratives. Through open access, these stories travel far beyond campus, reaching readers around the world and reinforcing the idea to students that their voice matters and that their experiences matter. Intertext continues to be the most widely read of SURFACE-hosted journals.
Platforms like SURFACE not only allow scholars and artists to shape and share their narratives but also ensure these expressions reach global audiences through open access. This dual role—empowering storytellers with tools and amplifying their reach—underscores the transformative potential of open access in creating a more equitable and diverse scholarly ecosystem.
We invite you to explore MEND, Intertext, and the diverse range of publications hosted on SURFACE. Through these initiatives, Syracuse University demonstrates its commitment to creating a more just and open world where all voices can be heard and valued.
To provide feedback or discuss journal hosting options, please contact Dylan Mohr (dpmohr@syr.edu).