First Open Access week at the University

Open Access is an international movement that has the potential to transform the way research is conducted. It is all about sharing research publications and data freely and openly. Open Access Week is a key opportunity for all members of the University community to better understand and become more involved in the movement.

Keynote speakers Cameron Neylon, Advocacy Director at Public Library of Science, will talk on How I learnt to stop worrying and love the RCUK policy; and Alma Swan, Director of European Advocacy for SPARC, will speak about Open Access and You – A relationship with promise. Brian Kelly will present on Open Practices for the Connected Researcher, showing how social media provides opportunities for 'connected researchers' to both engage more effectively with their peers and raise the visibility of their research outputs; Mark Thorley, Chair of RCUK Research Outputs Network, will present on the RCUK Open Access Policy and Margaret Hurley from the Wellcome Trust will explain its Open Access requirements.

The week includes a special Open Access edition of Research Speed Updating and there will be workshops, presentations and drop-in sessions on how to upload your research papers onto Open Access via Sympletic and Open Access and the REF amongst others.

Dr Jessica Gardner, Head of Library and Culture Services said: “Our first Open Access week has attracted a world-class programme of speakers who are major international players in the open access movement. With a strong government agenda for transparency and openness in research, this is a great opportunity to find out more about what open access means for you”.

The full timetable of Open Access Week events is available on the Library website.