AuthorAID

1
AuthorAID

• A systematic approach to increasing the capacity
  of developing country researchers to publish and
  communicate their work
• Phyllis Freeman, Anthony Robbins Barbara Gastel
• CSE May 2007

2
The Problem

• Insights from closest to the problems of
  development poverty, poor health are too
  rarely published
• Investment in research is not fully effective
  when the results are not published
• All science for development all levels

3
The Problem Authors Challenges

• Identifying the contribution story
• What audience, which journal
• Analytic tools presentation of data
• Conventions
• English!

4
In Resource Rich Settings

• Science writing in degree programs
• Supervisors, senior colleagues
• Peer support
• Tools organizations CSE, EASE, etc.
• Editors Commercial services
• Commercial services on Web
• Freelance Editors
• Institutional investments
• Publications Departments
• Research group editors
• Authors Editors - inside/freelance

5
In Resource Scarce Settings

• Institutional support MISSING
• Senior scientists many jobs
• Hierarchy authorship and order?
• Networks authorship and order?
• Shortage authors editors
• Editors ONLY for those with FUNDS
• MYSTERIOUS Competitive Disadvantage

6
AuthorAID Concept Elements

• Matching teamwork - one project per year
• Science Mentors (NOT co-authors)
• Authors Editors
• The Rx Web-based matching outreach
• KEY A Knowledge Community about Communicating
  Scientific Research

7
Precedents related activities AuthorAID to
fill a gap

• Academic research training
• Non degree research training
• Writing workshops
• CBE IFSEA 1983!
• China Medical Board
• Senior scientists networks
• Support for developing world journal editors
• Diaspora scientists
• SciDev.Net -- news analysis

8
What is NEW?

• Internet opportunities global reach
• Knowledge Community
• Online mentoring and teamwork
• Favorable demographics
• Senior scientists journal editors near
  retirement
• Manuscript editors volunteer

9
CSE AuthorAID 2005-thank you CSE!

• Building momentum since 2005
• CSE session with FAME
• Board support, Task Force project
• Task Force on Science Journals, Poverty and Human
  Development retreat 2006
• Invitation to MD Anderson
• Proposal to Sida 2005-2006
• Demonstration project 2007--Knowledge Community
  Experimental matching
• CSE project 2007!?

10
AuthorAID Support

• Underwriters
• 1. JPHP
• 2. Rockefeller University Press
• 3. Science
• 4. Cell
• 5. Proceedings of the NAS
• 6. Genetics Society of America
• 7. Council of Science Editors
• 8. Environmental Health Perspectives
• 9. Nature
• Development Agencies support (Sida et al)
• Science agencies next? (Wellcome Trust)

11
Forum of African Medical Editors, et al CSE May
2006
12
Creative Adaptation of AuthorAID Concept

• To many
• problems/disciplines
• Languages
• Locations local, regional--decentralize
• Organizational form sponsors
• Types of writing, communication
• So far ISEE, INASP
• Now CSE (withEASE, WAME)
• Many other editorial, scholarly professional
  organizations?

13
AuthorAID at CSE next steps

• Knowledge Community design
• Editorial content/resources to post
• TASK FORCE MEETING at 5, Salon G
• Demonstration project web presence
  http//www.inasp.info/psi/authoraid/