OHIO Libraries to Host Open Access Publish and Self-Archiving Panel Discussion

The OHIO Libraries have partnered with the College of Health Sciences and the Heritage College of Medicine to host a one-hour panel discussion on the impact of open access publishing and self-archiving research. The event will be hosted on April 5th, 2021 from noon-1pm via Teams. Registration is requested.  

This panel discussion hopes to raise awareness around the topic, spark discussions, and provide the opportunity to ask questions that will inform future events to be hosted in the fall 2021 semester. The panel will discuss their experience on publishing open and self-archiving their research, the benefits and drawbacks, and why this conversation matters now.

The panelists represent faculty and librarians who have published open or support open access services and initiatives.  

Dr. Evan Harris, an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, prioritizes open publication as a service to the profession and in support of social justice. He believes increased access to information empowers communities and better supports informed service provision and evidence-based practices. He is invested in active engagement in an open access movement aimed at shifting the distribution of power within academic publishing.    

Dr. Kelly Broughton, OHIO Libraries’ Assistant Dean for Research & Education Services, develops and oversees University Libraries educational services for faculty and students. She has presented on open access issues for over a decade, including a policy analysis at the annual conference of the Association for Study of Higher Education in 2017. She is actively involved in open education efforts across the state. 

Dr. Berkeley Franz is an Assistant Professor of Community-based Health and Heritage Endowed Career Development Fellow in Population Health Science in the Heritage College of Medicine. She is an active researcher with considerable experience publishing in both open access and traditional subscription journals. Dr. Franz is passionate about publishing research findings in high impact journals and identifying research outlets that will increase access to research on community health. She mentors both medical and graduate students at Ohio University and provides formal training on how to identify high quality open access journals.  

Hanna Schmillen, OHIO Libraries’ Interim Department Head for Subject Liaison Services and Health Sciences Librarian, has consulted with researchers to find open access options for publication as well as course materials. She also works to educate the Ohio University community on the research process (including publication processes and options), evidence-based practice, and the impact of research. To further these efforts, Hanna created the Data Literacy Guide as well as co-created the Scholarly Research Impact Guide, of which openly accessible data and research are key components. 

The panel hopes to spark discussions among the Ohio University Community around open access publishing, self-archiving research, and the impact and value they have on our work, the professions we serve, and the community as a whole. Future event topics may include the differences between traditional publishing and open publishing, author’s rights and options for self-archiving, and open access journal evaluation. Join us, share your experiences and questions, and let us know what topics you would like to learn more about.