Genetic Resources journal
Genetic Resources is a new online journal developed in the framework of the H2020 project GenRes Bridge as a prime example of collaborative action by European genetic resources networks. This fully open-access journal is intended as a service to the diverse stakeholders of the different genetic resources domains, providing a platform to publish and access varied materials ranging from research reports, guidelines, protocols and case studies to extensive reviews on topics of interest.
Since its launch in February 2020, the journal has published three regular issues, with articles from authors around the globe, covering all domains as well as crosscutting issues such as access and benefit sharing. The most highly accessed article remains an invited review by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture at FAO, published in the first issue and outlining the current status and gaps in genetic resources research.
A special issue published in February 2021, the abstract book of the “International Congress on the Breeding of Sheep and Goats” (Bonn, Germany October 2020), was co-edited with Christian Gerlinger from the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food. On behalf of the congress organizers, Mr. Gerlinger said that “[publishing the conference proceedings] as a special issue of the Genetic Resources journal are an essential part of the event communication and knowledge transfer”. The fact that this issue has been accessed more than 1,000 times since its publication attests to its usefulness.
In order to prepare for the continuation of the journal after the end of the GenRes Bridge project, which provided initial funding, a survey was conducted to assess the impact and uptake of the journal among genetic resources stakeholders. Responses were received from 102 people in 40 countries with diverse backgrounds. They provided generally positive feedback on the journal, even though it has only been publishing for a short time. These results clearly show that the journal fills a gap in genetic resources literature and that stakeholders appreciate its scope and mission and would support it going forward. The impact report is available on the journal website: https://www.genresj.org/index.php/grj/impactreport2021A sustainability plan was developed in collaboration by the three European Genetic Resources networks to ensure support to continue Genetic Resources in its current form as a service to the genetic resources community, providing free publication and access to relevant literature.
The plan is based on estimated workloads and running costs and reflects the capacity and commitment of the European GR Networks to continue to provide this service to their stakeholders.
In outline, the plan proposes that in the short term, the supporting networks would cover production costs, while promoting the journal to increase its reach and publication volume. In the long term, it suggests exploring other sources of financing and seeking the financial support of European and international institutions for the journal, including in the framework of European strategies and policies.
The editorial office, provided by project partner ECPGR, is currently working on articles for the fourth issue, to be finalized by the end of December 2021.
For more information, visit the journal website at www.genresj.org.
