PLAAS. 2020. “Food in the Time of the Coronavirus: Why We Should Be Very, Very Afraid.” Plaas (blog). April 1, 2020.

AO: During this discussion on Open Access, Eve Gray mentioned: 

Eve sent an email later writing:

"In reviewing research publication from African universities I mentioned during our discussions the importance of publication by research institutes within the universities in African countries. Here, as a good example, is an intervention by PLAAS from the University of the Western Cape on the question of food sustainability and the lock-downs being instituted in order to control the spread of the coronavirus. Plaas is well known for its combination of research rigour and the attention that it pays to critical current issues. This is not conventionally peer reviewed research, but relies on the strength of the research team and the importance for them to retain the reputation of the institute. The content is very timely, addresses an issue that is of urgent importance in the country right now, and embodies what I have long argued is vital component of research in a developing country like South Africa, where issues have to be addressed timeously and in a way that will attract policy attention. I see this as a central component of our research environment, bringing research focused on critical national issues to the forefront, when they are needed, and in accessible formats. This is too often marginalised in the rhetoric that drives formal research - journal articles and books, peer review and impact factors."