Open Access Week is a yearly, global event that brings communities together to “take action, and raise awareness around the importance of community control of knowledge sharing systems.”
Each year brings a different Open Access Week theme. You can learn more about International Open Access Week, sign up for events happening across the globe, or read more about the yearly theme on the Open Access Week website. Each year, the Open Scholarship Commons organizes events to celebrate.
This year’s Open Access Week theme is Who Owns Our Knowledge?, offering opportunities to ” reflect on not only who has access to education and research but on how knowledge is created and shared, where it has come from, and whose voices are recognized and valued.” The Open Scholarship Commons will celebrate with the following events:
Monday, October 20, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Gaming the System: Open Access Week Gaming Corner
In Person at the Open Scholarship Commons
Join the OSC in kicking off International Open Access Week by learning and playing games together! We will have tables set up with different board and party games that connect to and highlight the importance of sharing scientific knowledge and scholarly work freely and openly.
Tuesday, October 21, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Group Viewing of “Knowledge is Power: Who Owns It, Who Shares It, and Why Libraries Matter
In Person at the Open Scholarship Commons Collaboration Corner
Join the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Libraries’ Office of Scholarly Communication for our 4th annual panel celebrating International Open Access Week 2025.
Using this year’s theme, Who Owns Our Knowledge, as a backdrop, panelists will discuss what it means to their libraries’ mission and services. We will also explore how libraries help faculty and students understand their rights as authors and creators, and how they help them to retain ownership of their intellectual property. We will wrap-up by looking ahead at how each panelist envisions the future of libraries as stewards and promoters of knowledge ownership. A Q & A session will immediately follow.
This event is co-sponsored by the UAB Libraries and the Alabama Library Association Scholarly Communication Round Table.
Wednesday, October 22, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Publishing on the Cheap
Register to attend in person at the Open Scholarship Commons Presentation Space or online
Want to share your research with the world but can’t afford expensive article processing charges (APCs)? You’re not alone—and you have more options than you might think. Join us to discover cost-effective strategies for making your research openly available online.
Thursday, October 23, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The People’s Data Workshop: Accessing and Analyzing Government Data Sources
Register to attend in person Open Scholarship Commons Presentation Space or online
Unlock the wealth of information held in government datasets! In celebration of the UW Libraries’ Annual Constitution Reading and as part of Open Access Week, this hands-on workshop explores the public records and datasets that help us understand government, policy, and civic life. Learn how to find, access, and analyze federal and state government data to support research, projects, and decision-making. We’ll introduce tools for working with datasets and strategies for turning raw data into meaningful insights. No prior experience required, just curiosity and a desire to make data work for you.
EVENT CANCELLED
Thursday, October 23, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Open Access Demystified
Open access publishing promises to make research freely available to everyone—but the path forward isn’t always clear. With multiple publishing models, varying costs, and concerns about predatory publishers, how do you make informed decisions about where and how to share your work?
This workshop will help you understand the open access landscape and empower you to choose publishing options that align with your values and career goals. Learn practical strategies for making your research more accessible while contributing to a fairer, more impactful scholarly communication system.
Thursday, October 23, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Collaboration Studio: Welcome to Critical Gaming – Let’s Play Open!
Register to attend in person at the Open Scholarship Commons Presentation Space
Attention Gamers, the Critical Gaming Collaboration Studio is recommencing for the 2025-2026 school year with a rush of new events! We welcome all Huskies to the Open Scholarship Commons, where we’ll analyze and play video games from a scholarly perspective. This month, we’ll be connecting current and new members, discussing our summer projects, and exploring open-access games in celebration of Open Access Week. Our topic this month will be: “Let’s Play Bubble Bobble: A Guide to Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics.” Come on by and introduce yourself to our very own critical gaming community!
Friday, October 24, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
NIH Open Sharing Requirements: How to Navigate Your New Responsibilities
Register to attend online
The National Institutes of Health now requires researchers to share publications and data from NIH-funded projects immediately upon publication. This workshop will guide you through these new mandates, including what must be shared, where to deposit your materials, and how to comply while protecting sensitive information. Whether you’re writing a grant proposal or wrapping up a funded project, you’ll learn practical steps to meet NIH requirements and avoid compliance issues. Bring your questions about data management plans, repository selection, and navigating publisher policies.