Opening Access of Knowledge to All

Capacity-Building Workshops and Advocacy for Diamond Open Access in India

The OLH Open Access Award 2024 Awardee Report, authored by Priya, Library Assistant, Parsar Bharti, and Research Scholar, Central University of Himachal Pradesh.

The global Open Access movement began with key initiatives such as the Budapest Open Access Initiative (2002), the Bethesda Statement on Open Access Publishing (2003), and the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge (2003). These declarations laid the foundational principles for a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible model of scholarly communication. Despite over two decades of advocacy and growing awareness, open access publishing has yet to be fully implemented on a global scale. For example, it is still rare to find any academic/recruitment platforms or evaluation systems that seek to count the number of open access papers published by researchers, rather the focus lies on the score of various metrics. In the name of Open Access publishing, many journal publishers predominantly follow the APC-based models (Gold/Hybrid), where authors are required to pay article processing charges. In contrast, diamond open access models, which involve no cost for either authors or readers, remain significantly underrepresented. It has also been observed that various myths continue to circulate among researchers about Open Access. Beyond these misconceptions, several other limitations persist that hinder the widespread success and adoption of open access publishing. 

In view of these many challenges to open access publishing, two capacity-building workshops were organised in two distinct regions of India. These workshops aimed to create awareness about open access publishing and demonstrate the use of Janeway. It is an open-source software platform for journal publishing developed by the Open Library of Humanities (OLH). The goal was to empower researchers, librarians, and academic administrators to embrace and implement open publishing practices that are ethical, sustainable, and aligned with global open science standards. 

Objectives of the Workshops 

The workshops were conducted with the objectives that aligned with the principles of openness, inclusivity, and accessibility in the dissemination of scholarly work. The primary goals were: 

• To raise awareness about the significance and different models of Open Access publishing, with focus on diamond open access model. 
• To introduce Janeway, open-source publishing software. 
• To explore ethical considerations in publishing, including predatory practices and the responsible use of Creative Commons (CC) licenses. 
• To align the workshops with UNESCO’s Open Science values, emphasising inclusive and collaborative research communication. 

Workshop Curriculum and Methodology 

The curriculum of the workshops was carefully structured to include both theoretical and hands- on components. The theoretical sessions provided an overview of the broader Open Science ecosystem. This included detailed discussions on the principles of open access publishing, types of open licenses (especially Creative Commons), and the advantages of using open- source infrastructure over proprietary systems. Topics such as the diamond open access model, ethical publishing practices, and challenges around APCs were also covered to encourage critical thinking among the participants. 

The technical practical sessions focused on Janeway. The sessions included step-by-step demonstrations on how to set up a journal using Janeway, manage submissions, assign peer reviewers, and handle metadata and indexing processes. The sessions were designed to be interactive and practical, providing participants with the skills needed to launch and manage open access journals within their institutions. 

To ensure a fun and engaging learning environment, an interactive online quiz was conducted using Kahoot. The quiz included questions from the workshop sessions and served as both a revision tool and an incentive for active participation. Winners were recognized with small prizes, adding a layer of gamification that helped reinforce key concepts in an enjoyable manner. 

First Workshop: Gulbarga University, Karnataka 

The first workshop was conducted at Gulbarga University on 17 April 2025. It drew participation from 62 individuals, including faculty, research scholars, and librarians from various departments of Gulbarga University and its affiliated colleges. The presence of academic professionals from diverse disciplines facilitated vibrant cross-disciplinary discussions on the relevance of open access publishing in different fields of study. 

_{Group photo taken during the workshop at Gulbarga University}

The workshop began with introductory remarks from university officials and keynote speakers who highlighted the urgent need for equitable access to academic content in developing regions. The sessions were followed by interactive modules on Janeway and ethical publishing practices, culminating in a hands-on demonstration and the Kahoot quiz. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their intent to advocate for OA initiatives within their institutions and explore journal publishing using Janeway. 

Second Workshop: AISSMS College of Engineering, Pune 

The second workshop was organized as part of an international event titled “Connecting and Empowering Research: Open Access, Open Data, and Research Metrics”, held at AISSMS College of Engineering, Pune, from 02 July 2025 to 04 July 2025. This workshop attracted 53 participants, including researchers, librarians, and faculty. Like the previous workshop, this workshop had the same structure and the Kahoot quiz, which was received with enthusiasm. Participants appreciated the opportunity to not only gain new skills but also network with peers and experts working on similar themes. The collaborative environment fostered dialogues around launching region-specific OA journals and forming state-wide open access advocacy networks. 

^{Group photo taken during the workshop at AISSMS College of Engineering, Pune}

Outcomes and Impact 

Both workshops concluded on a highly successful and impactful note. They marked a significant step toward fostering a culture of open and ethical scholarly communication in India. The active involvement of faculty, research scholars, and librarians highlighted a growing recognition of the importance of open publishing practices in democratizing knowledge access and supporting inclusive research dissemination. 

The feedback collected indicated that a majority of the attendees felt more confident in advocating for OA publishing in their own academic and institutional settings. Some institutions also expressed interest in initiating the process of launching new journals following the diamond open access model using the Janeway platform. A few participants also shared their enthusiasm for migrating their existing print journals to digital formats through Janeway. However, one of the key challenges highlighted during these discussions was the need for affordable hosting solutions and reliable technical support to ensure sustainable journal operations. 

Acknowledgements 

These workshops would not have been possible without the generous support of the Open Library of Humanities (OLH). OLH’s commitment to promoting inclusive, non-commercial, and community-driven scholarly diamond open access publishing models continues to inspire institutions worldwide. OLH supported the workshop with the generous grant of £500.These initiatives would not have been possible without the generous support, encouragement, and collaboration of many individuals who contributed in various ways throughout the planning and execution of the workshops. I look forward to more such opportunities to actively engage in open science discussions and to continue advocating for equitable and ethical scholarly publishing practices that benefit society as a whole.