Open Divide - Critical Studies on Open Access 2025/2026
In 2018, Open Divide: Critical Studies on Open Access examined the transformation of scholarly communication, questioning dominant narratives and highlighting unresolved controversies. Now, seven years later we, Joachim Schöpfel (Université de Lille, France), Ulrich Herb (Saarland University, Germany), and Niels-Oliver Walkowski (University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg) launch a twelve-month lecture series as a foundation for a new edition of Open Divide. The three of us are equally responsible for the content of the series and will take turns moderating the individual events.This lecture series tackles these pressing issues, exploring the role of libraries, sustainability, and long-term preservation. It critically examines competition, commercialization, and governance in academic publishing while addressing equity and the broader impact of open science policies. Alternative models, such as shadow libraries, commons-based publishing, and the Global South’s contributions, offer fresh perspectives on the future of Open Access.Leading experts from academia, libraries, and publishing will share their insights, offering diverse and critical perspectives on these pressing issues.
