DOAJ has over 100 volunteers who contribute their time and skills to reviewing applications. We are grateful for the work that our volunteers do, as editors and associate editors, supporting Open Access principles at home in their day to day work and abroad.
DOAJ volunteers come from all over the world, from a variety of backgrounds, and speak many languages. In this blog post, we’ve checked in with three of them to learn more about their backgrounds and motivations for volunteering with DOAJ.
Hello Constancy! Tell us about your background and your experience volunteering with DOAJ.
Constancy Prisca Aleru-Obogai
Senior Lecturer, Rivers State University
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Associate Editor, Africa group
I am Dr. Constancy Prisca Aleru-Obogai, a proud volunteer Associate Editor from Africa. Since 2020, I have been privileged to serve as a volunteer Associate Editor with the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), where I contribute to the rigorous evaluation and indexing of journals to ensure they meet the organisation’s high standards. This role has been transformative, sharpening my article writing and critical assessment expertise. I am immensely grateful to DOAJ for providing me the opportunity to join their team, which has expanded my professional network and established me as a key contributor to the global open-access movement.
My association with DOAJ has also enhanced my ability to identify predatory journals, an essential skill for any academic and researcher. Again, engaging with journal applications has deepened my understanding of quality publishing practices and introduced me to reputable journals in Medical Sciences, my primary field of expertise. Moreover, my role has facilitated meaningful discussions with publishers at my university regarding open-access policies and provided insight into freely accessible journals that benefit scholars worldwide.
In addition to my work with DOAJ, I am a Senior Lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. I am deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scholars, fostering their growth and development within academia. Beyond my academic endeavours, I manage a YouTube channel, Dr. Constancy – My Relaxed Hair and Academics. On this platform, I share tips on study techniques, exam preparation, and seminar presentations while also reflecting my passion for natural hair care by providing tips on managing long 4C hair.
Through these diverse endeavours, I aim to inspire others and contribute meaningfully to both academia and personal development. I remain honoured to support DOAJ’s mission and look forward to continuing this impactful work in the future.
Hello Julio! Tell us about your background and your experience volunteering with DOAJ.
Julio Zetter
Coordinator, SciELO-México
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Associate Editor, Spanish 4 group
Approaching five years of collaboration with DOAJ, my journey in enhancing the quality and transparency of academic and scientific journals has been profoundly educational. Since beginning this path in 2021, I have witnessed how quality and transparency criteria have had to adapt continually to meet both the community’s needs and the ever-evolving publishing ecosystem.
Personally, this role has significantly enhanced my understanding of how to communicate effectively with journals to foster improvements in their editorial practices. Rather than merely issuing evaluations, I have learned to appreciate that each journal is a unique entity. Those with clear and professional goals, as well as a dedicated editorial team, are invariably keen to evolve to meet both their community’s expectations and their institutional mandates. This dialogue has been a tremendous learning experience.
I have found it particularly rewarding to be part of the DOAJ’s team of associate editors, and how this role aligns with my objectives within the SciELO Mexico coordinators group. From this vantage point, I have observed our shared visions, particularly around sustaining and promoting a healthy scientific ecosystem where open access is a familiar and common banner. Ultimately, it’s about encouraging best practices.
My recent involvement with DOAJ’s Quality Team marks an important step in this professional relationship, assisting and learning together to ensure the community continues to trust the quality and transparency of its journals.
Without a doubt, this has been a great cycle of learning and professional networking, enriching my experience and contributions to the field.
Hello Yulingga! Tell us about your background and your experience volunteering with DOAJ.
Yulingga Nanda Hanief
Lecturer, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia
Associate Editor, Indonesian 4 group
My name is Yulingga, and I am a lecturer at the Department of Sports Coaching Education at the Faculty of Sports Science, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia, specializing in injury prevention. I am also the Editor in Chief of Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research. I have been volunteering as an editor for DOAJ since 2022, contributing to the evaluation and indexing of journals in my area of expertise.
In my day-to-day work as a lecturer and researcher, I actively use DOAJ as a reference database to find open-access articles relevant to my teaching and research activities. I also guide my students to utilize DOAJ, especially for finding references in the field of sports science. Having access to high-quality open-access journals is essential in ensuring that both teaching materials and research outputs are built on solid academic foundations.
What I enjoy most about my work with DOAJ is the opportunity to contribute to the global academic community by assisting in evaluating journal indexing applications. This role allows me to support the dissemination of high-quality, open-access research, particularly in developing regions where access to academic literature can sometimes be limited. Being a part of DOAJ also broadens my perspective on the diverse range of research published worldwide, and I find it rewarding to help ensure the credibility and accessibility of open-access journals. Through this role, I also gain valuable insights into international journal standards, which helps me improve the quality of my own editorial work.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer for DOAJ?
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Congrats for all who share their time to rise the DOAJ scope and work