University of Ottawa - Monday, October 21 (time / place TBA)
(coordinated by University of Ottawa Library)
Making the switch to open access: emerging research at uO, and why and how scholars should get involved
Description: New research by the European Commission suggests that open access is reaching a tipping point, with about 50% of scientific papers published in 2011 now available for free. The University of Ottawa's Dr. Heather Morrison will talk about her emerging research on keys to the transition to an open access scholarly communication ecosystem that is free to prioritize the needs of scholars, and of scholarship. What does it take to sustain open access scholarly publishing led by scholars and scholarly societies? What are the elements of policy and licensing needed for the knowledge commons (as opposed to publisher profits or administrative efficiencies)? There are discussions underway around the world that will have a profound impact on faculty members everywhere. This session will discuss why the voices of scholars are important, and how scholars can get involved.
Reference:
EU Commission Press Release: Open access to research publications reaching 'tipping point'
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-786_en.htm
University of Regina Library Thursday, October 24
Whose scholarship? Our scholarship!
The current system in academia drives scholars to give away the
visible results of our work. We hand over copyright, often to
multinational corporations that enjoy an inelastic market - record or
near-record profits of 30-40% even in recent years after the financial
crisis when university budgets have been squeezed and programs often
cut. This doesn't have to continue! This talk is call for scholars to
take back our scholarship from a system that drives enclosure for
profit to one led by scholars that can put the priorities for sharing
where they belong: prioritizing the needs of scholars and the public
good. Open access advocates and newcomers alike with leave with some
clear and compelling arguments about why this is necessary, and
practical steps that will help the transition along.
