Speech Synthesis Integration in Open Journal Systems

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7557/5.7274

Keywords:

Speech Synthesis, OJS, EPUB, Accessibility, Open Journal Systems, JATS XML, Pandoc

Abstract

PDFs of research papers are often characterized by poor accessibility and lack of speech synthesis compatibility. In this poster, we present our project that addressed these challenges by introducing a tailored EPUB format optimized for speech synthesis. The project was carried out at UiT's publishing service for open access journals (Septentrio Academic Publishing) and was partially funded by the National Library of Norway.

During the course of the project, we explored two approaches to article formats compatible with speech synthesis.

The first approach involved the implementation of specialized markup intended for speech synthesis software. However, this method proved to be excessively labor-intensive for our university's publishing service, prompting us to seek a more efficient alternative.

Our second approach entailed converting documents from Word to EPUB via JATS XML, leveraging the versatile Pandoc tool. This streamlined approach not only simplified ongoing management but also ensured the creation of accessible files enriched with robust metadata. A noteworthy aspect of this project is its reliance on open source tools, making the approach readily transferable to other publishing services, particularly those employing Open Journal Systems.

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Author Biographies

Peter Vedal Utnes, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Peter Vedal Utnes has a background in the philosophy of science and in pedagogy. In 2021–2023, Peter worked on a project funded by the National Library of Norway to enhance the accessibility of UiT's open access journals by making them more compatible with speech synthesis. Moving forward, his attention will shift to a project on Open Education and the democratization of teaching resources.

Obiajulu Odu, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Obiajulu Odu has a background in Computer Science. He specializes in software and database development and has extensive experience in the realm of open science infrastructures, institutional repositories, research data, and journal publishing platforms.

Obiajulu's professional journey is driven by a passionate commitment to enhancing the usability of data and software applications. He accomplishes this by harnessing cutting-edge technology for streamlined data collection, automating data curation processes, and seamlessly integrating information systems. His collaborative spirit is evident through his close partnerships with subject librarians and fellow collaborators, all united by a shared goal: advancing data sharing and championing the principles of FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) within the scholarly community.

A staunch advocate of open source and open access initiatives and dedicated to the democratization of knowledge and the advancement of technology for the benefit of all.

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Published

2023-10-23

How to Cite

Utnes, P. V., & Odu, O. (2023). Speech Synthesis Integration in Open Journal Systems. Septentrio Conference Series, (1). https://doi.org/10.7557/5.7274

Issue

No. 1 (2023): The 18th Munin Conference on Scholarly Publishing

Section

Posters

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Peter Vedal Utnes, Obiajulu Odu

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