An Unaffordable Truth: Hot Takes on Open Access and the Cost of Knowledge

Course description

Flinders University Library invites you to try something new with us. As part of Open Access Week 2026, we’ve taken this year’s theme – The Cost of Knowledge – and asked ourselves what we are truly paying for open research, whether we can continue to afford it, and what that means for the future of equitable scholarship.  

Join us for a series of quick-fire, opinion-provoking Hot Takes, featuring HDR students from a range of disciplines and hosted by our own Hannah Foster (Library Specialist, Scholarly Communication). The room will be structured as a Theatre in the Round – a circle of chairs which aims to break down barriers and encourage an even playing field of discussion and storytelling. We’ll also be recording the event as a live podcast.  

About the theme  

“The Cost of Knowledge” is the theme for this year’s International Open Access Week (October 19-25). We create and share knowledge in order to advance human understanding and the common good. We recognize that accessing and sharing knowledge is a human right. Yet, the costs to access and share knowledge continue to increase, often dramatically. Why? Who benefits?  

FAQs  

Do I need to be an expert? Absolutely not. This year we’re broadening the conversation – so if you have thoughts and feelings, or any good publishing stories, this is the event for you.  

Will I be fed? Of course! We’re offering a choice between gold, green and diamond-themed donuts, to raise awareness of different open publishing models.  

Is it free? Yes. All Flinders students and staff members are welcome. (And it would be pretty ironic if we charged you for this one.)  

I can’t attend in-person. How can I join in? Tune in via our live podcast broadcast and listen in as the conversation unfolds. Register to receive the link.   

Type of course

Hybrid session

Who should attend

• HDR students
• Researchers
• Professional staff who support research
• Anyone curious about publishing, open access, or the future of research

What you will learn

• How researchers experience publishing, access and research costs in different ways
• The opportunities and challenges associated with open access
• Different perspectives on the future of equitable and sustainable research communication

Prerequisites / assumed knowledge

Nil