Abstract
In this paper, we locate open access in the South African higher education research context where it is, distinctively, not shaped by the policy frameworks that are profoundly changing research dissemination behaviour in other parts of the world. We define open access and account for its rise by two quite different routes. We then present a case study of journal publishing at one South African university to identify existing journal publishing practices in terms of open access. This case provides the springboard for considering the implications – both positive and negative – of global open access trends for South African – and other – research and researchers. We argue that academics’ engagement with open access and scholarly communication debates is in their interests as global networked researchers whose virtual identities and online scholarship are now a critical aspect of their professional engagement.
Highlights
Together with such mandates has been increased attention to the building of scholarly communication infrastructures to support the deposit of journal articles but the full gamut of scholarly communication and research dissemination activities enabled in a digitally mediated age of scholarly social media and online participation. It is beyond the scope of this piece to discuss the intricacies of infrastructure and repositories; suffice to say that they provide a valuable mechanism for South African researchers wishing to improve their online visibility, share their scholarly output online, extend their research networks and make their work available to all with Internet access
There is no question that open access is firmly part of the global knowledge creation and dissemination landscape
South African scholars need to understand the shape of the shifting landscape and engage with the debates to ensure that their own interests are being addressed
Summary
The academic fear is largely that researchers are being told where to publish, which in reality they are not: an analysis of funder open access policies around the world showed that only in one case was publishing in an open-access journal a requirement; in all other cases, depositing in a repository was an option (the Finch report in the UK has since shifted to a green/ gold choice).[13] Wallander and colleagues[13] analysed 48 mandatory funder policies and found that 33 required green (repository based) open access; 14 required either green or gold, and only one preferred gold (i.e. open-access journals) – but only ‘where available’ These trends in our local context are usefully explored through the case of one South African university, shaped by researchers’ nexus in both national and international networks. A total of 8 journals are on the DHET-accredited list (some of which are on the Web of Science), and 4 journals are available through the open-access platform SciELO SA – South African Medical Journal, South African Journal of Science, South African Journal of Surgery and Water SA
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