Rapid publishing for public health books against COVID-19

Presented are two case studies covering the barriers to be overcome to fully automate the production workflow for Open Access multi-format books, to produce and distribute the following – ebook, print-on-demand, screen PDF, webbook, website, and an interoperable source.

The first case study involves producing eight book sprints for training manuals, some with MOOC modules, for the Academy of Public Health in Dusseldorf (Germany) which was run as a research cooperation with the Open Science Lab, TIB – German National Library of Science and Technology. 

The second case study involves converting the existing reports of Independent SAGE (UK) – as Open Access, multi-format, enabling multi-channel distribution, and deposing in academic repositories. 

The indie_SAGE project involved creating a volunteer academic working group to carry out the work. Here it is important to add that I am acting as a private individual. The Independent Science Advisory Group for Emergencies (indie_SAGE) was formed in May 2020 by the former chief Scientific Adviser to the UK government Sir David King, quote, ‘on how to minimise deaths and support Britain’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis’. 

The working group is newly formed and welcomes help and volunteers!