2015 Open Access Week
News item published on: 2015-09-25 15:31:27University Libraries to Host Open Access Week Events
University Libraries will participate in Open Access Week from October 26 – 30 in an effort to provide the Southern Miss academic and research community the opportunity to learn about the potential benefits of open access, particularly those related to student research.
Open Access Week is a global event now entering its ninth year and through a series of events, University faculty and students will be able to attend sessions on open access theses and dissertations, undergraduate research and a debate in which two of the University’s graduate students with experience in publishing will discuss the pros and cons of open access. Although all events are focused on student scholarship, the presentations are open to the public.
“As students prepare for their careers, especially those with interests in research, education, and publishing, it is absolutely essential that they understand some of the new trends and developments in scholarly communication. Open access is at the core of many of these trends, and our hope is that these events will better equip our students to effectively navigate these decisions as they consider how to most effectively showcase their own work,” said Josh Cromwell, University Libraries Institutional Repository Coordinator. Cromwell manages The Aquila Digital Community (http://aquila.usm.edu), the university’s institutional repository, and is one of the organizers of Open Access Week events.
Open access to information – the free, immediate, online access to the results of scholarly research and the right to use and re-use those results as you need – has the power to transform the way research and scientific inquiry are conducted. It has direct and widespread implications for academia, medicine, science, industry and society as a whole.
Open access has the potential to maximize research investments, increase the exposure and use of published research, facilitate the ability to conduct research across available literature, and enhance the overall advancement of scholarship. Research funding agencies, academic institutions, researchers and scientists, teachers, students and members of the general public are supporting a move towards open access in increasing numbers every year, and Open Access Week is a key opportunity for all members of the community to take action to keep this momentum moving forward.
The schedule of events for the week is as follows:
Open Access Week Theses and Dissertations
Monday, October 26, 2 - 3 p.m. – Cook Library Room 123
Presenters:
Paula Mathis, Assistant to the Dean and Honors Keystone Coordinator, Honors College
Jeanne Stewart: Reviewer of Graduate Dissertations, Nursing Capstone Projects, and Theses
This presentation will focus on the workflows for managing theses and dissertations at Southern Miss. It will include a discussion of what students need to know, frequently asked questions, and the advantages of making your thesis or dissertation open. Students who are either currently completing or who will soon be beginning an Honors thesis, master’s thesis, or dissertation are strongly encouraged to attend.
Open Access and Undergraduate Research
October 28, 1 – 2 p.m. – Cook Library Room 123
Presenters:
Marie Danforth, Director of the Center for Undergraduate Research
J.D. Rimann, Editor of The Catalyst
How can open access contribute to the success of undergraduate research? Join us for this presentation and learn how the Center for Undergraduate Research (CUR) supports undergraduates in their research endeavors, as well as how open access contributes to the success of their mission. In addition, this presentation will offer a first look at The Catalyst, an open access journal of undergraduate research that is being relaunched by a student-led editorial team with support from CUR’s leadership.
Open Access Publishing: A Debate
Friday, October 30, noon – 1 p.m. – Cook Library Room 123
Presenters:
Gaurav Ghag, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Sara Lewis, The Center for Writers, Department of English
What are the important issues to consider when deciding whether to publish your work through an open access publisher? What are the benefits and what are the pitfalls to avoid? In this presentation, two Southern Miss graduate students will debate the pros and cons of open access publishing, giving you all the information you need to know to make an informed decision when navigating the publishing process. All attendees are invited to bring their lunch, and light refreshments will be provided as well.
University Libraries has partnered with the Office of Research, the Office of Research Integrity, the Center for Undergraduate Research, Honors College, and Graduate School to bring the faculty and students Open Access Week sessions.
At the Friday debate, door prizes will be given away to those who attended any of the three sessions. The more sessions attended, the higher the chance of winning a door prize.
For more information, contact Josh Cromwell, University Libraries Institutional Repository Coordinator at 601.266.6200 or joshua.cromwell@usm.edu
