The idea for the “Network Open Access” arose at the Open Access Days in Hannover in 2019. During the three days of the conference, an intensive exchange developed between participants from the Universities of Applied Sciences and of Teacher Education.
We concluded that the Swiss university landscape as a whole faces different questions and challenges when it comes to implementing Open Access than is the case in the neighboring German-speaking countries. In Germany in particular, the universities have already gained a lot of experience with various publication and financing models for OA.
While the major universities in Switzerland are already implementing Open Access, there is still need for action at the Universities of Applied Sciences and Teacher Education. Due to their smaller size, to the close interconnection in them of teaching and research, as well as their practical orientation, they have differing needs and requirements in comparison to the other universities. A mutual exchange of experiences therefore promises to be particularly beneficial for questions concerning the implementation of Open Access.
The “Network Open Access” met for the first time at the end of January 2020 to get to know each other better. The participants reported on the status of the implementation of Open Access at their institutions. A virtual chat was set up to enable timely and easily accessible exchange. Questions and news can be posted there and discussed between individuals or in groups.
In addition, in has been decided to meet as a larger group regularly, about three or four times a year, and to forgo the formation of smaller working groups. The „Network OA“ welcomes the participation of all other interested parties from Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences and of Teacher Education, especially from the French and Italian speaking parts of Switzerland.