Learning about new ways of accessing or publishing teaching, learning or research materials can seem like a burdensome task. We’ve got you covered by getting you started into Open Access!
In recognition of Open Access Week (October 22–28), here are 6 ways that you can get involved in Open Access right now:
Two great places to get started are The Directory of Open Access Journals and the Directory of Open Access Repositories. Both compile peer-reviewed open access journals in one place.
There are several tools you can easily add to your daily life for uncovering OA content. Unpaywall, for example, can be added to your web browser for free.
You can also try the Google Scholar “versions” link to uncover OA versions of published articles.
These U of A tools can be used to either discover open access content, or to publish your own open access research:
- Education and Research Archive (ERA) — provides free and open access to the U of A’s intellectual output, including journal articles, theses and dissertations, reports, conference proceedings, posters, datasets, and more. You can also check out ERA A+V, our media streaming repository.
- Journal Hosting and Publishing — U of A Libraries provides support to more than 50 Canadian open access journals through our no-fee hosting service.
U of A Libraries also works to make important materials from our collections and partner libraries open and available through the Digitization Program. Our Peel’s Prairie Provinces website hosts thousands of historic photos, newspapers, books and pamphlets. Many collections once hidden on our shelves are now available online, open and free for anyone.
The 10th Annual Open Access week runs from October 22-28, and the theme is “Designing Equitable Foundations for Open Knowledge”. Events will be happening all over the world.
There are two local events happening on October 22:
Has the Open Access Movement Ossified? What Gains Remain to be Had and What Work Needs to be DoneHas the Open Access Movement Ossified? What Gains Remain to be Had and What Work Needs to be Done
11 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Senate Chamber (326 Arts and Convocation Hall)
Michael B. McNally and Dale Askey debate the Open Access movement’s gains to date, its current status, and what the future of scholarly publishing holds.
Paywall: the Business of Scholarship (Documentary Screening)Paywall: the Business of Scholarship (Documentary Screening)
3:30 p.m. — 5 p.m.
MacEwan University, Room 5–142 CN Theatre
Paywall outlines the need for open access to research and science, and challenges the rationale behind the multi-billion dollar for-profit academic publishing industry.
Check out the Open Access Week website to see what online events are happening around the world.
Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning and research resources that are freely available in the public domain. This means you can not only freely use them, but also edit and redistribute them.
To get started, check out the U of A Libraries Open Education Guide or contact our OER Subject Librarian.
You can also explore the Centre For Teaching and Learning’s Open Education hub, book a consultation, or join the U of A OE Interest Group.
Michelle Brailey — Digital Initiatives Projects Librarian
Michelle Brailey is the Digital Initiatives Projects Librarian with University of Alberta Libraries. Michelle supports institution-wide program development, awareness, and sustainability of OER. As an open education advocate, she contributes to the open education movement locally and globally through initiatives advocating for open educational resources, open data, and open access.