YAG ECR Lunch: Feeding The Beast? The Political Economy of Academic Publishing

Academic publishing is a booming industry. As scientists, we all play a key role in this endeavour; we submit research findings to academic journals; we voluntarily check the scientific validity of scientific work in a process known as ‘peer review’; and we then collectively pay for access to read the final product that is ultimately sold back to university libraries, which is often financed upfront through ‘Read & Publish’ agreements. This raises a range of different questions. Does this model make us dependent on big publishing houses? What are the implications to global knowledge production? Are there viable alternatives to ‘feeding the beast’? What is the role of the university in all of this? And is this profitable business ultimately good or bad for science?

This ECR lunch is meant to start a conversation with a roundtable discussion on the political economy of academic publishing. After a short introduction by the YAG, two invited speakers, Prof. Juliëtte Schaafsma (University of Tilburg) and Dr. Giulia Trentacosti (RUG), will open the discussion. The second half of the workshop will be dedicated to breakout group sessions in which we will discuss the pro’s and con’s of possible ways forward.

When: 13 April, 12-2pm
Where: Van Swinderen Huys, Oude Boteringestraat 19, Groningen

Speakers:

• Prof. Juliëtte Schaafsma, Department of Communication and Cognition from Tilburg University
• Dr Giulia Trentacosti, Open Access Specialist at the University of Groningen
  

Participation in this event is free and lunch is included, but registration is required. Please register below.