Open Access Has a Dirty Secret, Surgical Editors Say
Surgery journal editors outline recommendations to address cost disparities affecting LMIC and unfunded researchers
-
By
-
Kerri Miller
-
April 1, 2026
-
-
1
Open access publishing may create financial barriers for authors, shifting costs from readers to authors through article processing charges (APC).
-
2
The disparity in APC costs can limit participation for researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and unfunded investigators globally.
-
3
Approximately 50% of surgical journals now operate under open or hybrid models, while major publishers report significant annual revenues.
-
4
The Surgery Journal Editors Group recommends waiving APCs for authors from LMICs and minimizing fees for researchers without funding.
-
5
Equitable access to publishing is crucial for scientific representation and patient care, as the current system risks a two-tier knowledge economy.
