hat if the world’s top knowledge producers broke down the barriers to scientific progress?
Many of the world’s most wealthy nations may lead in research volume, but they’re falling short when it comes to research openness. Meanwhile, middle–income countries, home to 75% of the global population and 62% of the world’s poor, are leading the charge in open access to research. Imagine how much faster we could tackle our global challenges if scientific knowledge wasn’t locked behind paywalls but unleashed for everyone to access, reuse, and build upon.
How much progress are we holding back by keeping discoveries under lock and key?
Open Science: The Last Resort for a Better Future
As the world convenes for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), held in New York City, USA, from 10 to 28 September, the gravity of the challenges we face is incontestable. Climate change, health disparities, and the digital divide demand collaborative, inclusive and informed action.
At this year’s General Debate, the focus is on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17: ‘Partnerships for the Goals’, with the imperative of “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.” The debate comes at a critical juncture: the target date for the achievement of the SDGs is in close sight now, yet the 2024 Report of the UN Secretary–General warns that “the world is severely off track to achieve the 2030 agenda.”
Shaping the UN Pact for the Future
Against this backdrop, the UN Summit of the Future aims to forge a Pact for the Future focusing on sustainable development, financing, peace and security, science, technology and more. As the introduction to the Pact states: “The world is at a crossroads. Rapid advances in technology and science hold the promise of a better, more peaceful and prosperous future for people and the planet. Yet we are not keeping pace with emerging risks and opportunities. We face a pivotal choice.”
Open Access: The Key to Global Solutions
Science, technology, and innovation are critical enablers for addressing the multivalent challenge before us. Indeed, one could argue that the necessary course correction cannot occur without the agency of science and scientific publishing. But fast and impactful progress demands the free flow of knowledge. MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly, Open Access (OA) publishing, is a resolute defender of that intellectual freedom.
OA is not just a publishing model—it is a fundamental shift in the way knowledge is accessed and shared, and is a critical enabler of Open Science. UNESCO defines Open Science as “a set of principles and practices that aim to make scientific research from all fields accessible to everyone for the benefits of scientists and society as a whole. Open Science is about making sure not only that scientific knowledge is accessible but also that the production of that knowledge itself is inclusive, equitable and sustainable.”
At MDPI, we believe that scientific knowledge should be freely accessible to anyone and everyone without any restrictions. In today’s interconnected world, we see the democratization of knowledge as a linchpin of progress. As we engage in this year’s UN Science Summit, our message is clear: Open Access is not just about science; it’s about empowering humanity to tackle future challenges.
Open Access: A Moral Imperative
When only a fraction of the world has access to cutting–edge research, global inequality can only increase, and global progress can only stall. OA is a moral imperative offering a path to shared knowledge that transcends traditional, subscription–based academic publishing.
The benefits of Open Access speak for themselves:
- Greater Reach and Citations: Research published in OA journals receives more citations, amplifying its impact.
- Wider Audience: Free access invites a global readership, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and collective action.
- Increased Opportunities for Young Scientists: With heightened visibility, young scientists attract collaborators, funding and career opportunities.
OA, therefore, is not merely a publishing model: it has the potential to be a driver of global equity, enabling even the most resource–constrained nations to participate meaningfully in the global scientific enterprise.
Open Access: A Catalyst for Achieving the SDGs
The Sustainable Development Goals offer a blueprint for a better, more sustainable future for all. Achieving these goals requires the collective wisdom of the global community. OA can play a key role here by facilitating the free flow of information across borders and disciplines, fostering innovation and facilitating vital new insights—as occurred very effectively during the urgent search for new vaccines in the face of the Covid.
MDPI’s commitment to the UN SDG Publishers Compact reflects our dedication to this cause. OA ensures that research on climate change, public health, and sustainable agriculture is readily available to policymakers, educators, and grassroots organizations leading change on the ground.
A Global Shift Towards Open Access
Top institutions are embracing OA. MIT’s decision to unbundle traditional journal contracts is a clear sign that the future lies in free and open knowledge. MDPI is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, offering a platform that empowers individual scholars and academic institutions alike to make a societal impact testifying to the transformative power of OA.
However, significant regional disparities in OA publishing still persist. Nations like Indonesia (86%), Poland (76%), and Brazil (69%) are outpacing wealthier nations like the U.S. (58%), China (45%), and Japan (45%) in making their research freely available. Those with fewer resources are setting the standard for democratizing knowledge—because for them, OA is not just an ideal, it's a lifeline for equitable progress.
Towards an Open Future
As we ask the vital questions at this year’s UN Science Summit, our commitment to OA has never been stronger. We believe that the future of science—and the future of our world—depends on it. Scientific knowledge is a public good, not a privilege, and no valuable insight should be locked behind a paywall.
Access to scientific knowledge should be a basic human right, fueling innovation and progress for all. Let’s tear down the barriers and open the doors to a world where ideas flow freely, empowering every mind to make a difference.
We invite researchers, institutions, policymakers and citizens to join us in this endeavor. Together, we can build a world where knowledge flows freely, empowering communities, driving sustainable progress and fostering global equity. OA is the catalyst for the changes our world desperately needs.
a global affairs media network
Science at a crossroad: Unlocking progress with open access
Image via Adobe Stock.
September 23, 2024
Science, technology, and innovation are critical enablers to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, open access publish isn’t just the key to global solutions, it’s a moral imperative, writes MDPI’s Stefan Tochev.
W
hat if the world’s top knowledge producers broke down the barriers to scientific progress?
Many of the world’s most wealthy nations may lead in research volume, but they’re falling short when it comes to research openness. Meanwhile, middle–income countries, home to 75% of the global population and 62% of the world’s poor, are leading the charge in open access to research. Imagine how much faster we could tackle our global challenges if scientific knowledge wasn’t locked behind paywalls but unleashed for everyone to access, reuse, and build upon.
How much progress are we holding back by keeping discoveries under lock and key?
Open Science: The Last Resort for a Better Future
As the world convenes for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), held in New York City, USA, from 10 to 28 September, the gravity of the challenges we face is incontestable. Climate change, health disparities, and the digital divide demand collaborative, inclusive and informed action.
At this year’s General Debate, the focus is on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17: ‘Partnerships for the Goals’, with the imperative of “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.” The debate comes at a critical juncture: the target date for the achievement of the SDGs is in close sight now, yet the 2024 Report of the UN Secretary–General warns that “the world is severely off track to achieve the 2030 agenda.”
Shaping the UN Pact for the Future
Against this backdrop, the UN Summit of the Future aims to forge a Pact for the Future focusing on sustainable development, financing, peace and security, science, technology and more. As the introduction to the Pact states: “The world is at a crossroads. Rapid advances in technology and science hold the promise of a better, more peaceful and prosperous future for people and the planet. Yet we are not keeping pace with emerging risks and opportunities. We face a pivotal choice.”
Open Access: The Key to Global Solutions
Science, technology, and innovation are critical enablers for addressing the multivalent challenge before us. Indeed, one could argue that the necessary course correction cannot occur without the agency of science and scientific publishing. But fast and impactful progress demands the free flow of knowledge. MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly, Open Access (OA) publishing, is a resolute defender of that intellectual freedom.
OA is not just a publishing model—it is a fundamental shift in the way knowledge is accessed and shared, and is a critical enabler of Open Science. UNESCO defines Open Science as “a set of principles and practices that aim to make scientific research from all fields accessible to everyone for the benefits of scientists and society as a whole. Open Science is about making sure not only that scientific knowledge is accessible but also that the production of that knowledge itself is inclusive, equitable and sustainable.”
At MDPI, we believe that scientific knowledge should be freely accessible to anyone and everyone without any restrictions. In today’s interconnected world, we see the democratization of knowledge as a linchpin of progress. As we engage in this year’s UN Science Summit, our message is clear: Open Access is not just about science; it’s about empowering humanity to tackle future challenges.
Open Access: A Moral Imperative
When only a fraction of the world has access to cutting–edge research, global inequality can only increase, and global progress can only stall. OA is a moral imperative offering a path to shared knowledge that transcends traditional, subscription–based academic publishing.
The benefits of Open Access speak for themselves:
- Greater Reach and Citations: Research published in OA journals receives more citations, amplifying its impact.
- Wider Audience: Free access invites a global readership, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and collective action.
- Increased Opportunities for Young Scientists: With heightened visibility, young scientists attract collaborators, funding and career opportunities.
OA, therefore, is not merely a publishing model: it has the potential to be a driver of global equity, enabling even the most resource–constrained nations to participate meaningfully in the global scientific enterprise.
Open Access: A Catalyst for Achieving the SDGs
The Sustainable Development Goals offer a blueprint for a better, more sustainable future for all. Achieving these goals requires the collective wisdom of the global community. OA can play a key role here by facilitating the free flow of information across borders and disciplines, fostering innovation and facilitating vital new insights—as occurred very effectively during the urgent search for new vaccines in the face of the Covid.
MDPI’s commitment to the UN SDG Publishers Compact reflects our dedication to this cause. OA ensures that research on climate change, public health, and sustainable agriculture is readily available to policymakers, educators, and grassroots organizations leading change on the ground.
A Global Shift Towards Open Access
Top institutions are embracing OA. MIT’s decision to unbundle traditional journal contracts is a clear sign that the future lies in free and open knowledge. MDPI is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, offering a platform that empowers individual scholars and academic institutions alike to make a societal impact testifying to the transformative power of OA.
However, significant regional disparities in OA publishing still persist. Nations like Indonesia (86%), Poland (76%), and Brazil (69%) are outpacing wealthier nations like the U.S. (58%), China (45%), and Japan (45%) in making their research freely available. Those with fewer resources are setting the standard for democratizing knowledge—because for them, OA is not just an ideal, it's a lifeline for equitable progress.
Towards an Open Future
As we ask the vital questions at this year’s UN Science Summit, our commitment to OA has never been stronger. We believe that the future of science—and the future of our world—depends on it. Scientific knowledge is a public good, not a privilege, and no valuable insight should be locked behind a paywall.
Access to scientific knowledge should be a basic human right, fueling innovation and progress for all. Let’s tear down the barriers and open the doors to a world where ideas flow freely, empowering every mind to make a difference.
We invite researchers, institutions, policymakers and citizens to join us in this endeavor. Together, we can build a world where knowledge flows freely, empowering communities, driving sustainable progress and fostering global equity. OA is the catalyst for the changes our world desperately needs.
