Humanities Scientific Committee Opinion Paper: Open Access Opportunities for the Humanities
abernard102@gmail.com 2013-11-27
Summary:
Use the link to access the full text report opening as follows: "The Science Europe Scientific Committee for the Humanities affirms the principles and recommendations of the Science Europe Position Statement on ‘Principles for the Transition to Open Access to Research Publications’ (April 2013). However, the Committee recognises that Open Access is not as culturally embedded in Humanities disciplines as it is in other scientific areas.1Publishing practices and expectations about reputation, career development and achievement in Humanities research remain substantially focused on print rather than digital media. The rapid changes in Open Access policy and practice therefore present particular challenges for the Humanities.2 ... Nevertheless, the Scientific Committee for the Humanities sees significant opportunities in these
changing models for disseminating research. This paper therefore seeks to identify the areas within European Open Access policies in which there are distinct challenges for Humanities. It also posits directions of travel where an evolution of the current practices in the Humanities – relying heavily on hard copy publications, slow processes of peer review and extended embargo periods – could provide the prospect of greater impact of Humanities research, transformation in
the methods of scholarly communication, and innovation in the processes of peer review ... This document focusses on texts and repositories. However, in some of the Arts and Humanities disciplines, an important part of the research output is in a non-textual form, like archaeological excavations, exhibitions, artefacts and performances, or digital output. This output – and its relation to Open Access – brings in a new perspective that is beyond the scope of the present
paper. The Committee does, however, support opening up the Open Access debate, and the ensuing Open Access policies, to include non-textual research production."