Unlocking the potential of open access and open research

By kiera.obrien, 21 March, 2024
A hand holds a bunch of keys
A guide to open access – what it is, how to do it and how it can move research forward

The open access movement seeks to allow scholars to unlock the doors to research and share their publications, data and other outputs with the academy – and the world beyond. Whether they are turning to diamond, gold, bronze or green OA, more and more researchers are looking to open access to ensure their work is available free and without restriction online. OA embraces the FAIR ethos of open research: the idea that knowledge should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Learn how to use open research, how to set up your own journal, the potential pitfalls, and what the future holds for open access.

Unlocking the potential of open access and open research
A guide to open access – what it is, how to do it and how it can move research forward
A hand holds a bunch of keys

The open access movement seeks to allow scholars to unlock the doors to research and share their publications, data and other outputs with the academy – and the world beyond. Whether they are turning to diamond, gold, bronze or green OA, more and more researchers are looking to open access to ensure their work is available free and without restriction online. OA embraces the FAIR ethos of open research: the idea that knowledge should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Learn how to use open research, how to set up your own journal, the potential pitfalls, and what the future holds for open access.

By Eliza.Compton, 21 March, 2024

Open research: what is it, really?

Man in light from lightbulb-shaped hole in the wall, open research
Open research principles aim to foster openness, transparency, replicability and accountability, writes Steven Vidovic. Here, he offers a fresh perspective along with practices to establish trust in research and foster collaborations and future opportunities
Reading time
6minutes
How to make your research open access
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 26 June, 2023

A DIY guide to starting your own journal

Group of four multiracial young people in a meeting
An antidote to frustrations with traditional academic publishing might be to launch a grass-roots open access journal. Here are the steps to consider
Reading time
3minutes
By Laura.Duckett, 12 March, 2024

Open access: why and how to do it

Librarian helping a student check out a book
Here, a librarian and master of information student offer insight into facets of open access publishing and the challenges relating to it
Reading time
6minutes
A laptop screen represents a bookshelf stuffed with journals
The role of libraries
Resources
By kiera.obrien, 15 March, 2024

As librarians, we should embrace open research

A librarian in a striped dress stacks books on a shelf
Open access represents a new opportunity, and librarians are ideally placed to implement it. Nazarbayev University’s library team offers their advice
Reading time
4minutes
By sara.custer, 9 June, 2023

THE podcast: how the university library is an agent of change

Podcast discussing building resilience and protecting well-being among university staff and students
Often overlooked, university libraries are critical to the teaching and research missions of institutions. They also play a key role in digital innovation and community outreach. Two librarians tell us more about how they see their work as agents of change 
Reading time
57minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 20 March, 2024

Democratising research through open access journals

Illustration of woman looking at city through keyhole-shaped door
The rise of open access publishing has democratised knowledge dissemination, allowing researchers to share their findings with a global audience. Here, Corinne Guimont offers insights on running OA journals at a higher education institution
Reading time
4minutes
The Oval Room of the Richilieu National Library in Paris, France
By Eliza.Compton, 20 March, 2024

Opening doors to knowledge: making data open access

Data mountain illustration
Making data open access has become a cornerstone of transparent and collaborative research practices. Here, Jon Petters provides a brief guide on how to do it, emphasising accessibility, reproducibility and interoperability
What's the future of open access?
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 2 February, 2024

Could Athenian democracy improve the quality of science?

Acropolis in Athens
What if universities were governed according to the open culture that drives scientific research itself? Zoltan Dienes and Jörg Huber look at an ancient model for decision-making
Reading time
3minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 11 March, 2024

Sharing qualitative research through open access

hands typing on a laptop, open research concept
Traditional open access repositories are designed for sharing quantitative data. But what about qualitative data – non-numeric information and concepts such as case studies or interview transcripts? That’s where the Qualitative Data Repository comes in
Reading time
4minutes
A digitally-generated key and hand
The downsides to open access
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 30 January, 2024

The double-edged sword of open access publishing

Open door concept
Inclusivity is seen as a benefit of open access publishing, but is this an illusion? Here, William E. Donald asks questions about who pays and what counts, and offers scenarios for a fairer journal model
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 2 August, 2023

Is open access tarnished?

Vintage lock and keys
As open access terms have split into colour-coded brands, not all allow totally unrestricted access and reuse. Among these, “bronze OA” stands out as a potentially damaging misnomer, writes Steven Vidovic
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 11 May, 2022

Why does open access make publishing more complicated?

Line of open doors on blue background
The shift towards open-access publishing can leave students and researchers confused. Here, a group of research facilitators answer the most common questions about the new publication landscape – and sum up where we stand
Reading time
4minutes