Latest Thinking is an open-access video journal that provides summaries of research findings from several branches of academics, including life sciences, physical sciences, medicine, and engineering. The goal of Latest Thinking is to increase the impact of the author’s research and promote transparency of the scientific process. Each video averages around 10 minutes and contains five parts: research question, methods, findings, relevance, and outlook. The videos are based on original research published in another scholarly publication, sometimes a publication with large subscription fees. In the videos of the journal, authors make their research more accessible by explaining their work in language that is easier to understand. Some videos include animations and illustrations that help demystify abstract concepts and unfamiliar terminology.

In the accompanying pages for the videos, a myriad of contextual resources are available for users. The videos’ pages contain an abstract and DOI as well as a link to the original publication of the research. The pages also contain information on the authors including a short biography, educational background, academic and professional positions, journal referee experience, grants awarded, and special honors. Each page includes a series of “Beyond” videos where the author is asked to share a scientific revolution, a challenge for society, and a personal reading recommendation.

All Latest Thinking videos are shared under Creative Commons Attribution license CC-BY 4.0 allowing users to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially). Latest Thinking enables several sharing options such as embedded video code for inclusion in a course management system or LibGuide, ResearchGate, Facebook, Twitter, email, and several others. Latest Thinking is based out of Germany and primarily includes researchers working at German universities. With Germany’s commitment to open access, Latest Thinking may continue to be an open resource well into the future.

Samuel Putnam, Assistant University Librarian, University of Florida