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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?

Academic books provide the depth and context needed to address the complex challenges outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Publishing your book as open access makes your research freely available to researchers, policymakers, practitioners, educators, and the wider public, helping your insights reach the people who can apply them in research, policy, and practice.SN SDG logo © PÕ¾ÊÓÆµ 2019


Explore PÕ¾ÊÓÆµ's open access books across all 17 SDGs and discover how publishing your own research as an open access book can expand its visibility, reach new audiences, and increase its potential to contribute to sustainable development worldwide.

Explore open access books related to the SDGs

Why publish a book with PÕ¾ÊÓÆµ? 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 your book open access (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 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

Funding for open access books

Check out funding opportunities


What are authors/editors saying about OA SDG books?

John A. Burt, Editor

"In just a year, our Open Access publication has garnered over 400,000 accesses. This not only increases public engagement, but supports wider recognition of the importance of international SDGs at local scales."


William J. Nuttall, Co-Author

"Open access publishing gives readers everywhere access to the latest ideas and insights. As digital communication expands, so does the global reach of the open access approach. I am pleased to have been a small part of the move towards open access scholarly book publishing."

and 

Teela Sanders, Co-Editor

"Open access enables policymakers and practitioners access to vital information to address social challenges which often can affect the most marginalised of communities. Our commitment as academics to open access publications enables the research findings to reach those who are change makers."


Bernd Würsig, Dara N. Orbach, Editors

"We have seen nearly 250,000 downloads, 28 reviews and 220 altmetric citations in just two years. In marine mammalogy, such high numbers are astonishing and clearly reflect the value of publishing the book open access. We are pleased that this means students worldwide have access to the book.�


Browse more OA books relevant to each SDG

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