openRxiv is an open-access preprint platform dedicated to accelerating scientific discovery by making research freely available to the global community. We serve researchers, health professionals , policymakers, funders and the public by providing rapid, transparent, and equitable access to scientific findings across disciplines.
The Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (SMAB) is a cornerstone of openRxiv's commitment to scientific rigor, ethical standards, and maintaining community trust. The SMAB provides independent expert guidance to ensure the platform evolves in alignment with the needs of the scientific community and the principles of open science.
The SMAB exists to:
- Provide independent scientific guidance to the openRxiv leadership team.
- Advise on content policies, moderation frameworks, and scientific integrity standards.
- Represent the interests of the global research community.
- Provide feedback on proposed enhancements to openRxiv’s platform features and tools.
- Support openRxiv's mission of democratizing sharing of and access to scientific knowledge.
The SMAB consists of 10–15 members drawn from diverse scientific disciplines, career stages, geographic regions, and professional backgrounds.
Members serve three-year terms, renewable once for a maximum of six consecutive years. Staggered terms ensure continuity, with subsets of the board rotating.
- Participate actively in scheduled meetings and working groups.
- Review and provide written feedback on proposals as needed within agreed timelines.
- Do not disclose confidential information shared in meetings, working groups, convenings, or written communications.
- Serve as ambassadors for openRxiv within their scientific and regional communities.
- Contribute expertise in relevant working groups if available and requested.
The Inaugural Chair is selected by the openRxiv Board. The Chair's responsibilities include:
- Setting meeting agendas in collaboration with openRxiv staff.
- Facilitating productive deliberation and ensuring all voices are heard.
- Serving as the primary liaison between the SMAB, openRxiv leadership, and the openRxiv Board.
The Vice Chair supports the Chair, assumes Chair duties in their absence.
Each meeting will convene twice to ensure all board members can be present across global timezones.
| Meeting Type | Frequency | Format | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Board Meeting | Quarterly (4x/year) | Video conference | 60 minutes |
| Working Group Sessions | Monthly or as needed | Video conference | 60 minutes |
| Emergency / Ad Hoc | As required | Video or async | As needed |
- Agendas and discussion documents distributed at least 7 calendar days in advance.
- Meeting minutes drafted within 5 business days and approved by the Chair before distribution.
- Recordings made available to members only; summaries shared publicly where appropriate.
openRxiv has the ability to establish Scientific Working Groups when needed. Each Scientific Working Group should include at least one SMAB member and at least one openRxiv staff member. Groups must contain at least 4 members and can include members outside of the SMAB.
Expectations:
- The Scientific Working Group will identify a lead who will be required to create and share reports to ensure the effectiveness of the group.
- Group minutes and discussion documents are required to be well documented and recorded.
- Each group is required to prepare a report for presentation and discussion at every full Board meeting, delivered by the group leads.
- Board membership is a voluntary, unpaid role undertaken in service of openRxiv and in support of advancing its mission.
- openRxiv publicly acknowledges SMAB members on its website and in its annual report.
New members complete an orientation session within 30 days of appointment. Orientation covers organization overview, policies, and working groups.
Departing members participate in a brief exit interview to capture feedback. Knowledge transfer to successors is facilitated by openRxiv staff. Alumni may be invited to serve as ad hoc advisors on specific projects.
This framework is reviewed annually by the SAB and openRxiv leadership. Proposed amendments to this document will be tracked and dated. Material changes are communicated publicly.