bioRxiv and PaperPlayer partner to pilot a new feature - Audio Abstracts - allowing readers to listen to audio versions of neuroscience abstracts

bioRxiv has partnered with PaperPlayer, a service that converts scientific manuscripts into high-quality audio, to provide audio versions of abstracts available in the bioRxiv Neuroscience category. This new feature increases accessibility to the content and provides alternative modes for consuming the abstracts of scientific manuscripts. In addition to increasing accessibility of the content on bioRxiv, this feature will allow scientists to stay informed on the latest research even when on-the-go.

Readers can access the audio by clicking on the Audio abstract link on preprints in the Neuroscience category (see above), or on the Neuroscience Collection Page. Clicking on the Audio abstract link (green arrow above) will open an audio player control, which allows automatic play through the first ten abstracts in the Neuroscience collection, and provides start, stop, skip Abstract and audio control functions. To play the next ten abstracts in the collection, listeners can click on ‘Next papers’ and then the ‘Play’ icon. To return to the previous ten papers, click on ‘Previous papers.’ Played abstracts within a session are indicated by a check mark.

The Audio abstract feature is available on both desktop and mobile versions of the bioRxiv site. When viewing the feature on a desktop computer, the location of the audio control box can be repositioned to allow easy viewing of the content and other features on the page. The control box can be collapsed by clicking the minus icon (green box) and re-expanded using the plus icon. When on a mobile device, the Audio abstract link is located below the abstract (see mobile view above).

This pilot feature is being rolled out in the Neuroscience category to assess its utility and functionality. We welcome and encourage feedback so that we can understand community needs and improve its functionality. Please provide feedback here.