Useful instructions

Here are the most important considerations for flipping an existing journal to Diamond OA:

To be clarified

Clarify the legal and ownership framework of the journal.

  • Who owns the journal title, archive, DOI prefix and branding (publisher, society, individuals)?
  • What does your current publishing contract allow you to do? In case you need help, the legal services at your institution may be able help you.
  • Does your contract prevent you from launching a competing title?
  • Are there termination clauses, and what are their timelines?

A successful transition depends on strong community support.

  • Is the current editorial board willing to switch models?
  • Who are the journal’s key stakeholders (e.g. societies, institutions, individual founders)?
  • Will reviewers and authors continue to support the journal after flipping?
  • Does the scholarly community support the transformation?
  • Will you be able to retrieve contact lists of reviewers, authors and subscribers?

Ensure continuity and visibility during the transition.

  • Will you keep the current platform or migrate to a new one (e.g., Open Journal Systems)? See also Publishing Platform
  • How will metadata, DOIs, and indexing records be preserved?
  • How will indexing services (e.g., DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science, …) be updated? Who is responsible for this and has the login credentials?

Assess potential risks and ensure long-term independence.

  • Could the former publisher launch a competing title?
  • Will the transition affect metrics, reputation or visibility?
  • What governance structure will maintain independence and editorial control?

Ensure the journal’s long-term sustainability by aligning resources, funding, and organisational structures.

  • What resources are required for both the transition phase and ongoing journal operations?
  • What long-term funding strategies are in place (e.g. institutional support, consortia, external funding)?
  • Can the journal build on existing infrastructures (e.g. via its host institution or shared services)?
  • How can editorial roles and responsibilities be sustained in the long run(e.g. succession planning)?
  • Are workflows clearly defined, documented, and transferable to ensure long-term continuity?

Once these issues are clarified, the practical steps toward flipping can begin.

Where the paths of flipping and starting a journal converge

While newly founded and flipped journals start from different positions, both follow the same structural pathway once governance, infrastructure, and sustainability planning begin.

At this stage, the core tasks are identical:

  1. Establishing transparent workflows
  2. Securing long-term funding
  3. Maintaining technical infrastructure
  4. Ensuring quality and visibility