Introduction to AJOL: Advancing African Research Discoverability

Discover how African Journals Online (AJOL) helps African scholarship reach wider audiences and supports stronger journal publishing practices. In this edition of the OPAR Open Science Webinar Series, Dr Kylie van Zyl, Journal Assessment Manager at AJOL, presents “Introduction to AJOL: Advancing African Research Discoverability.” Recorded on 14 October 2026, the session explores practical resources for researchers, authors, journal editors, publishers and librarians. The session covers: • AJOL’s role in increasing access to and visibility of African-published research. • How researchers can discover relevant African scholarship and make informed choices about where to publish. • The Journal Publishing Practices and Standards (JPPS) framework and its use in assessing and improving journal publishing practices. • Peer review, editorial policies, journal governance, discoverability and accessibility. • Services available to accepted AJOL partner journals, including hosting, indexing, training and publishing support. • How journals can apply to join AJOL. ABOUT THE SERIES The OPAR Open Science Webinar Series is organised by UbuntuNet Alliance as part of “Unlocking Potential: Elevating Open Institutional Repositories in Africa for Global Impact,” funded by Invest in Open Infrastructure (IOI) through the Network Adoption Fund. The project combines capacity building, shared repository infrastructure and community engagement to strengthen the visibility, discoverability and reuse of African research. EXPLORE AND STAY CONNECTED 🔗 Explore AJOL: https://www.ajol.info 🔗 Learn about the JPPS framework: https://www.journalquality.info/en/ 📩 Enquire about joining AJOL: applications@ajol.info 🌍 Join the OPAR Community of Practice: https://opar-cop.ubuntunet.net/ 📰 Subscribe to the NUANCE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dv1XPT 🔗 Follow UbuntuNet Alliance on LinkedIn:   / ubuntunet-alliance   🌐 Visit UbuntuNet Alliance: https://ubuntunet.net/ 👍 Like this video, share it with colleagues, and subscribe to UbuntuNet TV for more conversations on open science and African research. Share your questions and reflections in the comments. #AJOL #OPAR #OpenScience #AfricanResearch #ScholarlyPublishing #UbuntuNetAlliance