How Preprints Could Help Solve the World’s Most Pressing Problems Faster Than Any Government

The world’s most urgent issues—climate change, pandemics, resource scarcity, and social inequality—are not waiting for anyone. In fact, they are accelerating, demanding immediate solutions from every corner of the planet. And yet, when we look to government bodies and traditional institutions for answers, they are often slow-moving, bogged down by bureaucracy, policy delays, and the inherently slow nature of peer-reviewed research. What if the answer to these global challenges lay in a more dynamic system—one powered by the rapid, open, and collaborative nature of preprints?

Preprints, those early versions of research papers made freely available before formal peer review, are often viewed through the narrow lens of academia. But what if they were viewed as tools of global transformation? What if these early drafts of scientific work could serve as a lifeline for decision-makers, humanitarian organizations, and innovators working on the frontline of our world’s most pressing issues?

Consider the speed of information dissemination in today’s research ecosystem. When an emerging crisis strikes—whether it’s a new strain of a virus, an environmental disaster, or a technological breakthrough—researchers across the globe scramble to address the challenge. Traditionally, they would submit their findings to journals and wait for the lengthy peer review process before anyone could read it. But with preprints, these studies are published online immediately, accessible to anyone—scientists, governments, NGOs, and the general public—within hours, not months.

In the midst of a global health crisis, for example, imagine a new vaccine or treatment breakthrough being submitted as a preprint. Instead of waiting for peer review and publication, it would be available immediately to doctors, researchers, and public health officials. They could begin implementing it, analyzing its effectiveness, and sharing the results in real-time. Imagine how many lives could be saved, how much suffering could be alleviated, if crucial medical discoveries weren’t trapped in the lengthy process of traditional publishing.

Let’s scale that concept. What if preprints had been available as the world grappled with climate change? In a world where environmental research is often delayed by peer review cycles, a preprint system could allow for faster integration of new methods and innovations into global policies. If the latest environmental strategies or renewable energy solutions were made available immediately, governments and corporations would have the chance to act swiftly—before the effects of climate change worsened.

But there’s another element at play here: collaboration. Preprints foster a more open, dynamic ecosystem. Researchers from different disciplines and corners of the world can contribute to a single body of knowledge at the speed of thought. By removing barriers to access, they can work together on solutions without waiting for formal gatekeepers. Imagine a global, interconnected web of researchers working on climate solutions or energy innovations, instantly exchanging ideas, offering feedback, and refining solutions—all because their work is visible from the moment it’s conceived.

This is a power that government agencies, with their layers of approval processes and political considerations, cannot easily match. The slow pace of policy implementation, combined with the often reactive nature of governmental decisions, stands in stark contrast to the proactive, collaborative potential of preprints. In a world where urgency is the norm, preprints can be the difference between success and failure in tackling the most significant issues humanity faces.

Let’s look at it from another angle: the grassroots potential. Preprints are not controlled by governments, universities, or publishers—they are decentralized, democratic, and open to anyone. An individual researcher, a small startup, or an organization with limited resources can release a preprint without needing institutional backing or permission. This creates a level playing field where the best ideas can rise to the top, not based on who is funding the research, but based on the merit of the idea itself. In the fight against inequality, preprints can enable marginalized communities to have a voice, to contribute to the conversation, and to help shape global solutions.

Moreover, the open access nature of preprints means that citizens, students, and everyday people can access this research. If the world’s problems are truly to be solved, the general public must be involved. Preprints help to democratize knowledge, putting cutting-edge research into the hands of those who can take action on the ground. No longer must solutions be filtered through the slow-moving gears of bureaucracy. Instead, individuals can take the knowledge directly to their communities, workplaces, and organizations to instigate change.

Preprints are also highly adaptable. They can be continuously updated as new data comes in, allowing for real-time revisions and improvements. In crises, this flexibility allows for swift changes based on the latest available information. In contrast, the more rigid structure of peer-reviewed journals means research is often out-of-date by the time it reaches the public, and the data cannot be adjusted in real time.

This dynamic, collaborative, and accessible nature of preprints holds the key to faster problem-solving—faster than any government bureaucracy could possibly hope to achieve. Governments often act too late because they are bogged down by red tape, political interests, and logistical hurdles. But preprints allow research to evolve, adapt, and spread at the speed of light. In times of global crisis, speed is everything.

To harness the full potential of preprints, we must embrace them not just as academic tools, but as instruments of social change. We must view them as a means to propel innovation forward, break down barriers to collaboration, and fast-track solutions to the problems that matter most. The era of slow, siloed research must come to an end, and preprints are the key to unlocking a future where problems are solved faster than the governments can act.