Introduction Few would ask: What is the Nelson Memo of 2022? In August 2022, a policy directive quietly issued by the White House began rippling through the research and academic communities. Known as the Nelson Memo, this policy is far from bureaucratic filler. It’s a landmark shift in the U.S. government’s stance on open science, … Read more
Introduction The world of scholarly publishing is brimming with buzzwords that often sound interchangeable. “Open access” and “open science” are two of the most prominent—and most misunderstood—terms in this lexicon. At first glance, they may seem to describe the same noble ideal: a more transparent, democratic system for disseminating research. But scratch the surface, and … Read more
Introduction Open access (OA) was once the rebellious outsider of academic publishing—the scrappy alternative to expensive journal subscriptions that locked publicly funded research behind paywalls. Fast forward to 2025, and OA is no longer a fringe movement. It’s the new standard—but not without growing pains, contradictions, and a fair share of chaos. From policy frameworks … Read more
Introduction For over two decades, “open access” has been a rallying cry, a reform movement, and a publishing model all rolled into one. Depending on your vantage point, it’s either the great equalizer of global knowledge or a Trojan horse quietly upending scholarly communication norms. Open access (OA) once promised to democratize research, liberate knowledge … Read more
Introduction The quest for open access (OA) in academic publishing has been a turbulent journey, filled with passionate advocates, wary publishers, and cautious funders debating how best to unlock scholarly knowledge for the benefit of all. In this arena, Plan S has emerged as one of the most ambitious and controversial initiatives of recent times. … Read more