Is a request to publish an article in Research Features a scam?

Research Features is a UK-based magazine intended for a broad audience (outreach), it is not a peer-reviewed academic journal.

So in one sense it is legitimate: it's a real magazine with real contributors that some people genuinely read. You can contribute a piece if you so wish to.

I do not think it claims to be a journal.

"We are not a scholarly publisher. We sit somewhere in the middle and feel very comfortable in our unique space. We will never engage in ‘click-bait’ or ‘tabloid’ pop-science; but we do not offer complex peer-reviewed content. Our publication offers detailed insight using clear language and a visual format which translates complex science, whilst remaining respectful."

Source: https://researchfeatures.com/about/


I have some experience with writing to outreach magazines (which I would label this). It can be quite rewarding to present research to a broader audience, but also demanding. Two pieces of advise:

1) Ask if you will have an editorial assistant associated. They can do wonders for your writing, and offer good journalistic insight.

2) Require appropriate monetary compensation.


They share the same street address and web styling as another similar magazine, Research Outreach: https://researchoutreach.org/our-company/

Same people, same idea, similar content (though I have not checked for overlaps).

I might give this one a miss.