It was announced that the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has updated US policy guidance to make the results of taxpayer-supported research immediately available to the American public at no cost. We discuss this development in open research. Further information is available in this blog post by Niamh: https://unlockingresearch-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk/?p=3208 In this episode, we discuss the recent open access developments in the United States, particularly the new policies initiated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The conversation delves into the potential impact of these policies on research, both in the US and internationally, including in the United Kingdom. It highlights the importance of open access in promoting knowledge sharing, facilitating research, and ensuring that taxpayer-funded research is accessible to all. We touch on the role of publishers in the research ecosystem, acknowledging that the value they add can vary widely depending on the discipline and the publisher's practices. We argue that some publishers may not provide significant value beyond copyediting and content curation. However, we recognize that learning societies and community-driven publishers can offer more valuable services in terms of connecting researchers with their peers and promoting a sense of shared community and passion. The conversation also covers the potential drawbacks and exceptions to open access. While we agree that open access is generally beneficial, we acknowledge that there are situations where it may not be appropriate to make certain data or research publicly available. For example, we mention cases involving sensitive data, such as indigenous data, commercial data, or personally identifiable medical information. The speakers emphasize the importance of striking a balance between openness and protecting sensitive information, recognizing that different disciplines may have unique considerations in this regard. The discussion also touches on the need for a cultural shift in research communities, moving away from the glamor of prestigious journals as a shorthand for quality. We point out that this change is already being promoted through initiatives like the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which encourages research assessment based on the content and impact of research rather than where it is published. We stress that it is crucial for researchers, institutions, and funding agencies to actively work together to change the research culture and promote open access. We express hope that the OSTP's announcement will be a catalyst for further progress in the open access movement. We suggest that by 2030, the entire globe could be marching in the direction of more open, accessible, and affordable publication practices. To achieve this goal, we argue that more community governance, institutional hosting, and different ways of thinking about the values and needs of researchers in scholarly communication platforms are needed. In summary, the episode covers the following key points: 1. The OSTP's new open access policies have the potential to significantly impact research in the US and internationally, promoting greater knowledge sharing and accessibility of taxpayer-funded research. 2. Publishers can offer varying degrees of value to the research ecosystem, with some providing more valuable services in terms of community building and curation. 3. There are exceptions and drawbacks to open access, particularly when it comes to protecting sensitive or commercial data. 4. A cultural shift is needed in research communities to move away from focusing on the prestige of journals and toward the content and impact of research. 5. The OSTP's announcement may serve as a catalyst for further progress in the open access movement, leading to more open, accessible, and affordable publication practices worldwide by 2030.
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38 mins