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The Future of Open Access: Beyond the Nelson Memo

Webinar

Scope

Join us for a forward-looking discussion on the evolving landscape of open access and data sharing in a post-Nelson Memo world. This session will explore community-driven initiatives and broader trends shaping the future of open access, emphasizing strategies to sustain and advance progress in the face of policy uncertainties. Engage with thought leaders and innovators as they highlight collaborative efforts and actionable solutions for fostering transparency, inclusivity, and innovation in scholarly communication.

Confirmed speakers include David Mellor, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Open Science, Sara Rouhi, Director, Open Science and Publishing Innovation, AIP Publishing; and Aaron Tay; Head of Research and Data Services, Singapore Management University.

This program is being coordinated and moderated by NISO Education Committee Member Russell "Rusty" Michalak, Library Director, Goldey-Beacom College.

Event Sessions

Speakers

David Mellor

Senior Policy Analyst
Center for Open Science (COS)

Sara Rouhi

Director, Open Science and Publishing Innovation
AIP Publishing

Aaron Tay

Head of Research and Data Services
Singapore Management University

In anticipation of the discussion, the following questions have been posed to our speakers:

Policy and the Post-Nelson Memo Era

  • How are your organizations adapting to the uncertainties surrounding the implementation of the Nelson Memo, and what guidance do you wish existed for institutions trying to stay compliant yet flexible?
  • What potential risks do you see if future policy shifts roll back open access mandates, and how can communities safeguard progress made thus far?

Sustaining Community-Driven Initiatives

  • Community-led efforts are often under-resourced—how do we ensure the sustainability of these initiatives without relying solely on traditional funding models?
  • What successful models of cross-institutional collaboration or grassroots innovation have you seen that could be scaled or adapted elsewhere?

Equity, Inclusion, and Global Perspectives

  • How can we ensure that open access and data sharing efforts remain equitable, particularly for researchers in the Global South or at underfunded institutions?
  • How do we move beyond compliance to foster a culture of openness that includes diverse voices, including non-Western epistemologies and local knowledge systems?

Infrastructure and Innovation

  • What role do you see for open infrastructure in securing the future of open access, and how do we align infrastructure development with community needs?
  • How can publishers, libraries, and researchers co-design tools that make data sharing and open publishing easier and more intuitive?

Scholarly Communication Futures

  • What does an ideal scholarly communication ecosystem look like to you in 10 years—and what do we need to do now to get there?
  • How can we better engage faculty and early career researchers in the cultural shift toward open science and transparent publishing?

Shared Resource:

Journal of the Academy of Public Health: The Rise and Fall of Scientific Journals and a Way Forward, by Martin Kulldorff - Scientific journals have had enormous positive impact on the development of science, but in some ways, they are now hampering rather than enhancing open scientific discourse. After reviewing the history and current problems with journals, a new academic publishing model is proposed. It embraces open access and open rigorous peer review, it rewards reviewers for their important work with honoraria and public acknowledgement and it allows scientists to publish their research in a timely and efficient manner without wasting valuable scientist time and resources.

Additional Information

NISO assumes organizations register as a group. The model assumes that an unlimited number of staff will be watching the live broadcast in a single location, but also includes access to an archived recording of the event for those who may have timing conflicts. 

Educational program contacts and registrants receive sign-on instructions via email three business days prior to the virtual event. If you have not received your instructions by the day before an event, please contact NISO headquarters for assistance via email (nisohq@niso.org). 

Registrants for an event may cancel participation and receive a refund (less $30.00) if the notice of cancellation is received at NISO HQ (nisohq@niso.org) one full week prior to the event date. If received less than 7 days before, no refund will be provided. 

Links to the archived recording of the broadcast are distributed to registrants 24-48 business hours following the close of the live event. Access to that recording is intended for internal use of fellow staff at the registrant’s organization or institution. Shared resources are posted to the NISO event page.

All events follow the NISO Code of Conduct. More information can be found here.

Broadcast Platform

NISO uses the Zoom platform for the purpose of broadcasting our live events. Zoom provides apps for a variety of computing devices (tablets, laptops, etc.) To view the broadcast, you will need a device that supports the Zoom app. Attendees may also choose to listen just to audio on their phones. Sign-on credentials include the necessary dial-in numbers, if that is your preference. Once notified of their availability, recordings may be viewed from the Zoom platform.