Focus on Open Access

Next week (22-28 October) is International Open Access Week.

What is Open Access?

According to Peter Suber (Director of the Harvard Open Access Project)
“Open-access (OA) literature is digital, online, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. What makes it possible is the internet and the consent of the author or copyright-holder. “
For a fuller explanation see Peter’s introduction to Open Access.

Why is Open Access important?

Traditional journal subscription models are restricting access to research. Students, teachers and researchers need better access to research and Open Access is a viable solution.  See this great handout with quotes from people about why they support Open Access and how it can help in many spheres of life. For more information see Peter Suber’s full overview.

What can I do?

Keep informed, lobby for your right to access research and get involved! Here are some ways for students to get involved:

• Join the Right to Research Coalition
  This Coalition was founded by students in 2009 “to promote an open scholarly publishing system based on the belief that no student should be denied access to the articles they need because their institution cannot afford the often high cost of access.  Since its launch, the Coalition has grown to represent nearly 7 million students internationally...”
  See http://www.righttoresearch.org/about/index.shtml

•  Join the “make textbooks affordable” campaign
  "We're fighting to rein in costs by promoting cost-saving solutions on campus, while also tackling publishers' stranglehold on the market to change prices for good.  We're educating students, faculty and bookstores, and raising awareness through research and the media.   We're also calling on publishers, colleges and foundations to support the creation of more open-source textbooks that could save students millions each year.”
  See http://studentpirgs.org/campaigns/sp/make-textbooks-affordable

Sign up at http://www.openaccessweek.org for access to all the support and resources you need, and to connect with the worldwide OA Week community.

For examples of how others are advancing Open Access and taking action during The Week, click here if you’re a: RESEARCH FUNDER | RESEARCHER/FACULTY MEMBER | ADMINISTRATOR | PUBLISHER | STUDENT | LIBRARIAN

Plus check out the Open Access Week website for handouts, posters and more ways to get involved.