Western versus local publishers

A bulk of research from Research and Development (R&D) comes from the West with its monopolised technology and academic and research institutions. In Social Sciences, it is argued that western publication platforms do not readily provide a publication space to researchers from developing countries. It is inarguably experienced by researchers in Pakistan that these platforms tend to marginalise researchers from developing countries while serving the agenda of a particular narrative that best serves their interests. In doing so, biases in the discipline continue to prevail. This may have nothing to do with the broader quality of narratives from the researchers of developing countries, but rather with the broader geopolitical and geo-economic interests of the West to promote a perspective that best suits them.

In this context, most Pakistani researchers encounter similar challenges in publishing their research in western journals. It is often the case that quality research work bearing substantial credibility and value addition is rejected on grounds that the work does not fit in the analytical and conceptual context of the journal in question. This can also be argued as in Social Sciences, conceptual boundaries differ sharply from one context of practice to another. On the other hand, journals can also be alleged for partial decisions. One, the publishers may have an editorial board and peer reviewers that keep critical biases towards Pakistan for obvious reasons. Two, they may not desire the promotion of Pakistani narratives to be supported in their academia. Hence, this reflects the suppression of intellectual freedom and divergent ideas, something that the western world prides itself on for its tolerance and openness, but the reality within these publishing domains often tells a contradictory story.

There should be a strategy to ‘look at the local publishers’ without compromising the quality. There is an onus on the local publishers as well to not only enhance their credibility by indexing their publication processes through leading national and international indexing such as the Scopus and Web of Sciences (WoS), but also provide opportunities to local scholars with modest incentives to publish their scholarly work through a specified publication criterion. Local publishers can also adopt best practices such as the Crossref, defined peer review process, copyright, and the Committee on the Publication Ethics (COPE) that help support editors, publishers, universities, research institutes and all those involved in publication ethics. Alternatively, local indexing may be institutionalised at some point so that local publishers attract global scholars. This does not only develop a platform for the local budding scholars, but also that leading international scholars may develop scholarly connections with Pakistani publishers.

With such a credible standing and reputation from their international indexing and best practices, local publishers can equally compete with international publishers. Either published by a leading national or international publisher, any credible research work with some value addition is expected to be read and analysed globally.

In summary, both publishers and serious scholarly publications play a significant role in achieving these imperatives. Our universities should encourage citation from Pakistani scholars with quality research contribution. The research evaluation and peer review processes should only be carried out locally without compromising on credibility. For example, instead of dispatching PhD theses to foreign evaluators, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan can carry out the evaluation process from local foreign qualified scholars. This is not only to save time and money, but also aims at promoting local scholarships. There is a dire need for broader investment in national R&D through which local publishers may develop their visibility and credibility both nationally and internationally.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2024.

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