We think one of the best ways to advance the Open Access, Open Data, and Open Education movements is to support those in the next generation passionate about making open the default for research and education. In past years, a wide range of participants have attended OpenCon—including students, early career researchers and librarians, representatives from the nonprofit sector, and more. This year’s OpenCon application deadline is fast approaching. In case you’ve been on the fence about applying, we wanted to share a few reasons why you might want to:
You want scholarly information to be shared in an equitable way.
You believe that knowledge and discovery should not be hidden behind a paywall. You want the academic outputs that you and others produce to be freely and immediately accessible to everyone.
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You’ve had enough with the current publishing system. You are enthusiastic about exploring new, transparent ways research can be conducted.
Maybe you're frustrated that research quality is evaluated by impact factor, not individual merit. Or maybe you're simply tired of how long it takes for others to read about your research. If you're eager to explore new ways research can be conducted and disseminated, then OpenCon is the place for you! In past years, we’ve highlighted alternatives to the traditional peer review system, discussed novel metrics for evaluating researchers and open notebook science, held workshops around mining facts from academic literature, spotlighted platforms for data sharing and citation, and more!
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You’re interested in adopting open practices to advance your career.
At OpenCon, participants have gotten tips on how to be open as an early career researcher, and have learned how to communicate openness effectively, as well as how to use open to advance their careers.
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You’re frustrated about access to education.
You understand that the cost of learning materials poses a serious barrier to education, and you want to do something about it. OpenCon has featured talks about Open Education policies, as well as workshops on advocating for OER on campus. OpenCon alumni have gone on to address this issue by launching an open textbook campaign at Simon Fraser University, their home institution.
‘OpenCon was the best conference I have ever been to. The presentations, speeches, and workshops as well as all the connections I made at OpenCon educated me about the exciting developments occurring not only in Open Educational Resources, but Open Access and Open Data as well. I left informed and inspired to continue on as an open advocate.’ - Chardaye Bueckert, undergraduate attendee at OpenCon 2014 and OpenCon 2015
You want to collaborate with like-minded individuals to create new initiatives that advance open.
Many new initiatives have been founded by OpenCon alumni with support from the community, including the Open Access Button, Open Access Nepal, Open Access Nigeria, the OOOCanada Research Network, Open Access Sudan, WhyOpenResearch?, the Open Access Academy, Dissem.in, the Open Research Glossary, and many more.
Scholarship is all about collaboration and the sharing of knowledge, and requires that we receive help from - and help - our colleagues. - Jon Tennant, on OpenCon 2014
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You are eager to learn from peers about how to advance open in your community.
In past years, our programming has included interactive workshops on advocacy, community building, and grassroots organizing. Participants also receive a half-day of advocacy training, followed by in-person meetings with a wide range of relevant policy makers, including the US Congress and federal agencies, embassies, and key NGOs.
‘There’s also a strong political aspect of OpenCon. Advocacy day is not an accessory to OpenCon, it is crucial: it is not enough to talk or do research about openness, we have to take action, personally and as a group.’ - Iara Vidal, OpenCon 2015 Alumni
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You’re working hard to advance open, and you want your work to be recognized.
Applicants whom our community reviewers identify as having made significant contributions to advancing Open Access, Open Data, and Open Education in their community will receive a digital OpenCon certificate recognizing their efforts.
If any of these sound like you, then what are you waiting for? Applications close July 11, so head to opencon2016.org/apply and submit yours today!