Springer Nature SDG Programme

Open Access Books: Delivering real impact on the SDGs

How can open access (OA) increase the real-world impact of academic books on sustainable development?

Books provide in-depth analyses of complex and interconnected issues such as those addressed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). When published OA, such important work can reach scientists, policymakers, and practitioners, and the general public. The enhanced visibility and accessibility oSN SDG logo © Springer Nature 2019f OA books means that their findings and recommendations can be harnessed for actionable strategies on the SDGs. It means that research can impact anyone, anywhere.

Explore below OA books published by Springer Nature on each of the 17 SDGs and learn about publishing your research as an OA book with Springer Nature.

Books are a medium made for the SDGs, contributing to effectively addressing them, and even more so if published open access.

Christina M. Brian, Vice President Books, and a member of the Springer Nature SDG Steering Group, gives a detailed overview of the role open access books play in amplifying SDG research and how Springer Nature is committed to supporting the SDGs. Read her blog to find out more, including firsthand accounts from authors and editors who have published their SDG research as an open access book with Springer Nature.


What are authors saying about OA books?

Patricia Solis

Patricia Solis

"With more than a quarter million downloads in less than 18 months, it is very validating to know that the world is listening”

Patricia Solis, Open Mapping towards Sustainable Development Goals

Wentao Huang

Wentao Huang

"We've seen increasing interest in the SDGs by academia in the last 10 years, and also increased funding for OA books on the SDGs"

Wentao Huang, Energy Management of Integrated Energy System in Large Ports

Margherita Paola Poto

Margherita Paola Poto

"We work with partners and indigenous communities that do not have full access to resources; publishing OA has opened opportunities for the contributors and other interested parties to be included in the responses to sustainability challenges"

Margherita Paola Poto, Building Bridges for Effective Environmental Participation: The Path of Law Co-Creation

Tina Purnat

Tina Purnat

"Publishing the book OA has made it not only a reference for public health professionals and graduate students in health sciences, but has also made the public health approaches to the challenges of the information environment more broadly accessible"

Tina Purnat, Managing Infodemics in the 21st Century

Explore open access books related to the SDGs

Why publish a book with Springer Nature? And why publish it OA?

Writing a book is a meaningful investment of time—but the return on that investment, especially for SDG-related research—is even more meaningful. When you publish your book with Springer Nature, you will get powerful editorial support at every stage—from proposal through post-publication.

Why publish OA?
Because our OA academic books and chapters on average receive 10 times more downloads, 2.4 times more citations, and 10 times more online mentions compared to non-open access books.
OA books have a more geographically diverse readership, reaching on average 61% more countries than non-OA books.

Our 2023 open access (OA) report shows the growth, impact and value of our OA portfolio for authors, and provides greater transparency on how we are driving OA forwards.

Learn more about how to get started

  • Increased visibility & discoverability
  • High quality
  • Authors retain copyright
  • Compliance with funder mandates

Have an idea for a book? Take the next step.

Let us guide you through the book publishing process. We would love to hear from you to discuss your idea.

Submit your book idea


Open access funding opportunities

To plan ahead for paying your OA book processing charge (BPC), you can use Springer Nature’s Open Access Funding Service. 

This free service will work with you to help find funds for paying open access BPCs that you have through your institution or other funding sources.

I_sn_openresearch_funding_openaccess

Watch our open access book videos

Why publish an OA book?

OA book publishing in 6 steps

 

Blog posts relating to open research and the SDGs

Recent relevant blog posts from Springboard - the latest views, comments and discussions from Springer Nature and our partners around the drive towards advancing open research, and from The Source - our blog providing insight and discussion on publishing in the academic world.