The Open Access movement is a worldwide effort to provide the public with unrestricted, free access to scholarly research--much of which is publicly funded. While Open Access promises to accelerate scientific research efforts and allow authors to reach a larger number of readers, it also raises a number of questions and concerns.

VCU Libraries has organized a series of free and open programs designed to begin an in-depth conversation at VCU about Open Access publishing models during International Open Access Week.

Planned are an open forum on Open Access and sessions geared to researchers who manage data, NIH grantees and faculty and graduate students considering or wanting to learn more about Open Access publishing.

"In organizing these sessions and working with faculty on both campuses, I've discovered how complex this topic is for scholars and researchers," said Nita Bryant, Ph.D., a research librarian who is chairing the project for VCU Libraries. 

"We expect these sessions will serve as a learning exchange that will  bring forward concerns and questions that will help librarians--on the front lines of scholarly communication--learn what our faculty and graduate students need from us in terms of resources, support and further education."

 The line-up:

Open Data

Oct. 22, 3-4 p.m., Cabell Library, Room 250

• Presenter: 
• Have you thought about the benefits of sharing your research data? Have you ever considered depositing your data in a repository? Do you know about funder mandates that will require data sharing? Learn about the ins and outs of open data in this session.

Open Access Publishing 

Oct. 23, noon to 1 p.m., Cabell Library, Room 250

• Brown bag discussion (drinks and chips provided)
• Presenter: Laura Gogia, a doctoral candidate in educational evaluation and research and a graduate fellow at the Center for Teaching Excellence. She is technical adviser to a new Open Access journal.
• Open Access publishing is increasingly recognized as an important option for publishing scholarly research. This session will provide faculty and graduate students with practical information, beginning with an overview and definition of different OA models. Topics will include the rationale for and benefits of Open Access, retaining your rights as an author, selecting reputable journals/ publishers, understanding article processing charges and more. 

What NIH Grantees Need to Know about Public Access

Oct. 24, noon to 1 p.m., Cabell Library, Room 250

• Brown bag discussion (drinks provided)
• Presenter: 
• Congratulations on your NIH award! Now learn more about the Public Access Policy and what you need to do to be in compliance. Start early and review the steps you will take and the tools available to help you. The program will cover how to address copyright, submit your article to PubMed Central and include the PMCID in citations. 

Open Forum on Open Access 

Oct. 24, 4-5:30 p.m., Cabell Library, Room 250

• Panel discussion and wine reception
• Presenters: Richard Fine, David Golumbia, Jon Becker
• Richard Fine is a professor in the Department of English at VCU, where he has taught since 1979.  He has written two books on American authorship, and more recently has been researching issues of copyright and intellectual property. David Golumbia is assistant professor who teaches in the English Department and the Media, Art, and Text doctoral program. The author of many articles on digital culture, he is now working on a book about the false promise of digital freedom. Jon Becker is the interim director of Online Academic Programs in the Office of Online Education. VCU and an associate professor in the School of Education. He has broad scholarly and practical interests around the web for learning and knowledge dissemination.
• This event is designed to engage the VCU Community in discussions about the nature of Open Access, its impact on the future of scholarly communications, effect on scholarship across disciplines, and its impact on faculty, students, and the university. Each panelist will provide a somewhat different perspective and audience members will be encouraged to ask questions and share their own experiences. 
• If you plan to attend, please let us know on Facebook or contact at (804) 828-6651 or nbryant@vcu.edu.