It matters how we open knowledge: Building Structural Equity
Open Access Week is just around the corner (October 25-31), which gives USF and the rest of the world a week to celebrate the amazing framework that we know as Open Access. Open Access is an international movement that strives to provide free and open academic information like publications and data to the general public. Open Access also gives people the opportunity to publish their work online for others to read and use without having to pay outrageous publishing fees.
This is the tenth year of Open Access Week, and the theme is, “It Matters How We Open Knowledge: Building Structural Equity.” The theme correlates with UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) recommendation on Open Science that focuses on being able to access science-related information globally. Being able to access science-related information is very important because the indicated information can be used by anyone no matter what part of the world they are in. Open Access and Open Science can therefore further innovation as ideas from different parts of the world can be shared and come together to create something great!
Not only does Open Access offer a variety of academic information like publications, Open Access licenses can also apply to resources like digital images, and graphic design tools that give students the ability to complete their work and expand their creative side. These materials can be accessed without having to pay for expensive design tools and platforms.
As an economics major, Open Access has directly impacted me as I am able to see what other students in the Economics major are researching. Open Access is able to give me another perspective on economic theory. I am also able to read and research papers my professors have written and published in the USF Scholarship Repository, which gives me perspective on what my major is and can become once I graduate. In addition, Open Access has given me and my classmates a way to find relevant research and information. I encourage you to take a look for yourself!
What can we do to support Open Access? This week, anyone anywhere can share their work using Open Access. For example, USF students, staff, and faculty can submit their work to USF’s institutional scholarly repository. Share information about Open Access on platforms like Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #OAweek.
Learn More About Open Access.
USF Publishing Pilot with Cambridge University Press
Learn more with other Free Resources.