This series of free webinars will run throughout fall 2024 and will explore what lies in store for open science beyond the open access transformation.

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Transformative agreements, such as ACS read and publish agreements, have been instrumental in growing open access (OA) in many countries around the world. This expansion has been supported by institutional and governmental open science policies, accompanied by the fundamental view that research—funded by the public through taxation—should be fully accessible to the public. This free access to research also enables innovation through faster, more transparent sharing of information and discoveries.

The precise scale of OA uptake differs from one region, and even country, to the next. In some countries, this is even approaching 100% of research produced by the academic sector. As we progress toward this milestone, discussions within the research community are increasingly turning towards equity of access to OA opportunities. As we explore these questions, we ask ourselves: where next for open science?

Free Webinars for Fall 2024

Our new series of free webinars—Beyond the Open Access Transformation—will run throughout fall 2024 and aims to explore many of the key discussions surrounding open science. Each of the three webinars will bring together a panel of experts in the area to discuss where we are now, and potential routes forward. Details for each are provided below:

Research integrity: the role of open science

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Eastern Time)

The first webinar in the series will take place during International Open Access Week, focusing on current challenges facing research integrity and how open science can help address these issues. Panelists will include:

  • Elizabeth Moylan (Wiley)
  • Theo Bloom (BMJ & MediRxiv)
  • Ivan Oransky (Retraction Watch)
  • Dr. Limbanazo Matandika (African Research Integrity Network)
  • Angie Hunter (ACS Publications)
Preprints, peer review, and the future of research communication

Date: Monday, November 4, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Eastern Time)

For those unacquainted, preprints are research papers that have not yet undergone the traditional peer review process. They are uploaded to dedicated platforms, such as ChemRxiv, making the findings instantly accessible to the global research community.

This webinar will examine how these platforms have democratized information dissemination, making research freely available even before it gets a stamp of approval from peer reviewers—and what's possibly to come in the future of scientific communication.

Stay tuned for further updates and panelist information.

Public access to research: the OSTP guidance and beyond

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Eastern Time)

The 2024 U.S. Federal budget was passed earlier this year, which supports the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Key highlights include the implementation of the Nelson Memo, which mandates free, immediate, and equitable access to federally funded research. This webinar will explore the latest developments in open science policies and their impact on the research community, including how these changes will influence publication routes, data sharing, and compliance requirements.

Stay tuned for further updates and panelist information.

It’s completely free to register for all three webinars—secure your place and mark your calendars today!

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