Who Invented Open Access Publishing? And Why?

Who invented open access - Featured

Introduction Open access publishing is one of those revolutionary ideas that seems obvious in hindsight. Who wouldn’t want free and unrestricted access to scholarly knowledge, particularly when much of it is publicly funded? Yet, this movement, now synonymous with modern academic progress, has a murky and complex history. The phrase “open access” itself only entered … Read more

Plan S and Academic Publishing in Europe: 2025 Update and Future Outlook

Plan S and academic publishing in Europe - Featured

Introduction The European academic publishing landscape has undergone seismic shifts in recent years, with open access (OA) reform taking center stage. Plan S is at the forefront of this transformation, a bold initiative launched in 2018 by cOAlition S—an international consortium of national research funders and charitable foundations. Its mission? To make all publicly funded … Read more

Diamond Open Access vs. Plan S: Which is the Better Model?

Diamond open access vs Plan S - Featured

Introduction The open access (OA) movement has dramatically shifted the academic publishing landscape over the past two decades. With the rise of digital publishing and a growing demand for equitable access to publicly funded research, two influential models have emerged in global conversations: Diamond Open Access and Plan S. Each represents a different philosophy and … Read more

How to Secure APC Funding for Open Access Publishing in the US and UK

APC funding for open access - Featured

Introduction Securing Article Processing Charge (APC) funding has become a vital step for researchers and academic institutions looking to publish their work in open access journals. With the growing shift toward more transparent and widely accessible academic outputs, APCs can present a significant financial barrier—especially for early-career researchers or those without institutional backing. In both … Read more

Open Access: A Noble Ideal or an Expensive Illusion?

Open access in academic publishing - Featured

Introduction Open access was once described as the bold future of academic publishing. The vision was compelling: research available to all, freely and instantly, without the walls of expensive journal subscriptions. This wasn’t just about convenience—it was about justice. If public money funds research, why should the public pay again to read it? Open access … Read more