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Is the Staggeringly Profitable Business of Scientific Publishing Bad for Science?
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Is the Staggeringly Profitable Business of Scientific Publishing Bad for Science?

It is an industry like no other, with profit margins to rival Google – and it was created by one of Britain’s most notorious tycoons: Robert Maxwell.

Stephen Buranyi
The Guardian, 2017
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Scientific
  • Insider's Take

Recommendation

Stephen Buranyi’s scientific background is apparent throughout this article, but he also proves himself an entertaining storyteller. With the aid of interesting anecdotes and citations, he describes the rise of the immensely profitable scientific publishing industry under the dominance of its central figure, media mogul Robert Maxwell. getAbstract recommends this article to anyone who is interested in a behind-the-scenes look at scientific publishing, how it takes advantage of scientists and how it's shaping science.

Take-Aways

  • Publishers ask scientists to write articles for no pay about their government-funded research, and then the publishers sell the articles back to the scientific community.
  • After World War II, Robert Maxwell established the modern scientific publishing business, which became one of the world's most profitable industries.
  • To build successful careers, scientists have to publish in prestigious journals. 

About the Author

Stephen Buranyi is a freelance writer based in London and a former researcher in immunology.

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