Jonas Stier: Open Access contributes to greater equity

Since there's International Open Access Week we interviewed professor Jonas Stier, HVV about Open Access and why it is so important.

How do you view Open Access in relation to research quality and societal impact?

Open Access is of great importance, it plays a central role not only in disseminating research findings, but also in ensuring that these findings have a solid impact on society at large.

When did you begin publishing Open Access yourself, and what motivated you at the time?

I began publishing Open Access approximately fifteen years ago. My motivation was closely aligned with the belief that research should be widely accessible and impactful.

What obstacles have you encountered when attempting to publish Open Access?

The primary challenges I have faced include high publication fees, the prevalence of predatory journals, and bureaucratic complications within academic institutions—though I must note that such issues have not been present at MDU.

Has Open Access influenced how frequently, or in what ways, your research is recognized (e.g., citations, media coverage, collaboration)?

Although it is difficult to measure precisely, I believe that Open Access has likely increased the visibility of my research, particularly because the publications are freely available online.

Do you believe researchers have a responsibility to make their findings openly accessible to the public—why or why not?

Yes, I do believe that researchers have a responsibility to make their findings openly accessible. This responsibility stems both from the intrinsic motivation of researchers to contribute to societal knowledge and from the principle that society should benefit from its investments in research.

How do you think Open Access affects equity among researchers in different parts of the world?

Open access contributes to greater equity by improving access to research across geographical boundaries. However, the costs associated with publishing in open access formats may inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities.

What changes would you like to see in the publishing system to make open access more attractive to researchers?

I would recommend lowering publication fees, and breaking up the publishing monopoly!

How do you think Open Access will influence research communication over the next ten years?

Although ten years is a relatively short time frame, I believe that open access will significantly facilitate the dissemination of research findings during this period.

If you could offer one piece of advice to early-career researchers regarding open access, what would it be?

My advice to early-career researchers would be to prioritize publishing their work online in open access formats to maximize its reach and societal relevance.