Access to research
Access to high quality research and leading journals is vital for scientists across the globe.
Through the Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN) and its partners, we’re working to ensure that there are no barriers to accessing the information and resources that scientists in Africa need to develop expertise and carry out crucial research.
Journals, eBooks and database access
Using the following options, scientists, researchers and institutions in Africa can access portfolios of information published by the Royal Society of Chemistry and other leading publishers.
1. Research4Life
As a partnership of the WHO, FAO, UNEP, WIPO and over 180 publishers, Research4Life aims to reduce the knowledge gap between high-income countries and low/middle-income countries by providing access to scientific research.
As part of our commitment to supporting the chemical sciences around the globe, we have partnered with Research4Life – and now over 90 institutions in eligible countries have full access to our current journals.
2. Archives for developing countries
Librarians from educational and non-commercial research institutions in these countries can register for free access to the Royal Society of Chemistry’s journal archive (a collection of more than 260,000 high impact articles dating back to 1841). Institutions based in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia can also access our eBook collection.
3. Royal Society of Chemistry membership
If you choose to join the Royal Society of Chemistry, your membership will give you free access to the following resources:
- Journals Archive - a collection of more than 260,000 highly cited articles published by the Royal Society of Chemistry (and its forerunner societies) between 1841 and 2007.
- A journal of your choice - select from a portfolio that includes ChemSocRev, Energy & Environmental Science and our pioneering Horizons journals.
- Article downloads - access and save up to 20 articles or eBook chapters free of charge.
- The Virtual Library - a digital library offering free access a wide range of journals, books and databases covering the latest chemical science developments, from publishers including Springer and Wiley.
4. Open access
We support sustainable and fair open access (OA) models, and work to ensure that the OA resources we offer maximise the visibility of high quality research while staying true to our ethical standards.
All of the work published in our two open access journals can be accessed free of charge:
Our other journals are hybrids, featuring collections of open access articles. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology is one example.