Increasing public access to research: The 'open science' transformation at uOttawa | Library

"Without open access research, countless innovations across medicine, technology, environmental science, and social policy would remain trapped behind paywalls, slowing progress for researchers, policymakers, and the public alike. Students and educators would struggle to access the latest findings, small businesses and startups would face barriers to innovation, and communities tackling urgent challenges — like climate change or public health crises — would lack the critical knowledge needed to drive informed decisions. Open science accelerates discovery, fosters collaboration across disciplines, and ensures that knowledge serves society, rather than being limited to those who can afford it.

At uOttawa, the Open Science Working Group and its action committee are leading efforts to champion transparency, collaboration and innovation, ensuring research benefits all levels of society. In 2023–2024, the group developed a set of eight recommendations for embedding open science across the University, plus a roadmap for the future."