JOINResearch4Life looks beyond access at 25th anniversary gathering
More than 150 partners from across the scholarly communications ecosystem gathered in July for the Research4Life Global Partners Meeting (GPM) in Geneva, celebrating 25 years of collaboration to expand access to research and strengthen global participation in knowledge creation.
Hosted by WHO, WIPO and ILO and attended by representatives from FAO and UNEP, publishers, librarians and research institutions, the GPM reflected on the partnership’s journey from a pioneering access initiative to a broader focus on research equity and participation. Research4Life now supports more than 12,000 institutions in over 120 countries through access to more than 250,000 journals, books and databases.
Highlights included the Action for Equity conference, which explored how publishers, libraries, funders and research organisations can help address persistent barriers to participation in the global research ecosystem.
WHO’s Gerardo Zamora addressed the challenge of misinformation, connecting equity, trust and scientific progress.
“Strengthening trust requires not only excellence in science, but also equity in science. Trust grows when people see themselves reflected in the scientific enterprise.”
— Gerardo Zamora, WHO
The message echoed a recurring theme across Research4Life’s 25th anniversary activities: that equitable access remains essential, but meaningful inclusion in research, publishing and knowledge-sharing is vital.
Research4Life’s recent impact stories highlight how the partnership is increasingly supporting local research capacity, publishing opportunities, training and collaboration alongside access to content.
Professor Talant, R4L’s Country Connector in Kyrgyzstan, spoke to the value of engaging ministries and national stakeholders to ensure that access, training and capacity-building efforts become integrated into country priorities and research strategies — helping to create lasting and locally owned impact. A clear direction of travel for the partnership.
For STM members, Research4Life remains one of the most successful examples of collaboration between publishers, UN agencies, libraries and the research community. As the partnership writes its new strategic plan, we encourage STM members to support R4L in its transition beyond access to full participation in global knowledge exchange, and the professionalisation necessary to enable this step.
In related news, Research4Life is also one of just two finalists for the 2026 ALPSP Impact Award, which recognises projects demonstrating positive impact on scholarly publishing and communications — a fitting nod to its work ensuring free or low-cost access to scholarly resources around the world. You can read more about the finalists here.
Join the Research4Life 25th anniversary campaign and impact stories.
For more on the STM community members who helped shape Research4Life over 25 years, read Sarah Phibbs’ reflection here.