Achieving Global Open Access: The Need for Scientific, Epistemic, and Participatory Openness, by Stephen Pinfield

From FOLEC-CLACSO, we recommend reading the book “Achieving Global Open Access: The Need for Scientific, Epistemic and Participatory Openness” by Stephen Pinfield, published by Routledge in its first edition in 2024. This work addresses the key conditions necessary to achieve effective and equitable global Open Access (OA), questioning the inequities and epistemic injustices that OA can perpetuate.

The book presents an in-depth analysis of how open access, far from being an inherently positive force, can impose business models and research evaluation practices that exacerbate exclusion. Pinfield argues that for open access to reach its true potential, it must be associated with an “epistemic openness,” promoting a more inclusive understanding of what constitutes valid and valuable knowledge, and with a “participatory openness,” allowing for contributions from diverse communities.

Interesting to both academics and library and publishing professionals, this work offers a critical perspective and proposes ways to implement these openings, discussing their challenges, relationships, and limitations. The book is essential reading for those interested in Information Science and Library Science, Open Access, and Publishing, providing a comprehensive guide to moving toward a more inclusive and equitable Open Access.

For more details, you can Access the full book through the following linkWe invite the academic and scientific community to read this study, which offers valuable perspectives and proposals for the evolution of global Open Access.