Accompanied by Panel Discussion on ‘Research Integrity and its Role in Strengthening Social Science Research’ as part of its India Research Tour 2024

Mumbai, 3rd October 2024 – Springer Nature has launched its new fully open access Cureus Journal of Business and Economics at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. This significant milestone is part of Springer Nature’s ongoing India Research Tour 2024 – a flagship initiative in collaboration with the Government of India, Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), and 26 partner institutions across nine Indian states.

The Cureus Journals Series of Journals by Springer Nature are community-based journals aimed at fostering collaboration and equity in research. They provide an innovative platform for open-access publishing, bridging academia and real-world research applications. The USP of these journals is its unique and efficient platform offering free peer-reviewed publishing with optional low-cost editing services, focused on equity, affordability and faster publishing. The Cureus Journal of Business and Economics is the 4th in the series, preceded by Cureus Journals of Medical Science, Engineering and Computer Science.

Harsh Jegadeesan, Chief Publishing Officer, Springer Nature, while speaking at the launch, emphasized the importance of open access in democratizing knowledge and making research accessible to a broader audience. He said: “The launch of Cureus Journal of Business and Economics marks a pivotal moment for Springer Nature as we continue our journey towards fostering open access publishing. This journal will play a critical role in disseminating high-quality research on global, economic and business challenges, especially in emerging economies like India and the Global South. At Springer Nature, we believe that open access is essential to advancing knowledge equity, and we are proud to contribute to the growth of research in these fields.”

Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director, Springer Nature India, highlighted the significance of the journal in India’s research landscape, stating: “India is emerging as a global hub for business and economic research, and we are committed to supporting this momentum with our Cureus Journal of Business and Economics. With our fully open access journals, we are empowering researchers and practitioners alike to access cutting-edge insights and contribute to solutions for today’s pressing economic issues. This aligns with our broader goal of enabling impactful research through our India Research Tour, which fosters dialogues around key issues such as research integrity.”

The launch was accompanied with an insightful panel discussion on ‘Research Integrity and its Role in Strengthening Social Science Research,’ reinforcing Springer Nature’s commitment to promoting transparency, rigor, and ethical research practices in academia. The panel comprised of Prof. Anil Sutar, Dean, School of Research Methodology, TISS, Harsh Jegadeesan, Chief Publishing Officer, Springer Nature, Prof Sheila Rai, Senior Council Member, ICSSR and Nidhi Gulati, Country Communications Director, Springer Nature, India.

Professor Shankar Das, Pro Vice Chancellor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), underscored the role of institutions in fostering responsible research, and said: “At TISS, we believe in nurturing research that not only contributes to academic excellence but also addresses societal challenges with integrity. This collaboration with Springer Nature is a testament to our shared vision to promote ethical research practices. Integrity in research is the foundation to building public trust and ensuring that our work truly benefits the society.”

The event also had a keynote from Dr. Harsh Jegadeesan and Prof. Sheila Rai, and a RISE (Research Integrity in Science and Education) Masterclass by Dr. Ed Gerstner, Director, Research Environment Alliances, Springer Nature, London.

Springer Nature remains dedicated to advancing global research through open access publishing, and its Cureus Journal of Business and Economics is poised to become a leading platform for researchers across the globe to share knowledge, collaborate, and contribute to impactful solutions.