Black, Indigenous, and Faculty of Color Awareness of Open Access

2024/01/01 by Tatiana Bryant, Camille Thomas · 1 voice
Computer Science · Decision Sciences · Social Sciences · #Academic Publishing and Open Access #Higher Education Practises and Engagement #Online Learning and Analytics

paper · pdf · doi:10.5860/crl.85.1.7

openalex publication_date 2024/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

This qualitative study examines perceptions of open access from focus groups including thirty-eight faculty who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). In responses, BIPOC faculty reflect on the culture and support of open access within their departments, institutions, and professional associations. It was at a time of increased discussion about knowledge equity, the impact of access to research during the 2020 pandemic, and a precursor to the 2022 U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy Memo to expand access to data and publications sponsored by all federal funding agencies. In general, BIPOC faculty face compounded risks with open access and inequities in scholarly publishing. However, participants believe open publishing processes allow more flexibility and connection to communities. The investigators use the grounded theory method for analysis, provide themes as well as direct quotes from the data, and discuss practical applications for supporting BIPOC scholars with engagement in open access.

Citations

• Toward a Field of Intersectionality Studies: Theory, Applications, and Praxis
• The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship
• Reassembling scholarly communications: histories, infrastructures, and global politics of open access
• Research Outputs as Testimony & the APC as Testimonial Injustice in the Global South

Discussions

• "Several participants stated that OA publishing was discouraged in their disciplines" 😭 "..the overall perspective of OA journals is that some are predatory, suspicious, or not credible" doi.org/10. [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]