A recent poll of US citizens show an amazing 80% in favor of open access to federally funded research! (link) Clearly scholarly societies in general, and archaeologists in particular should not ignore this kind of evidence. Archaeology, along with other disciplines, is facing the threat of exile from the NSF. Senator Kay Bailey (R- Texas) is attacking NSF support of the social sciences (more here and here).
Our field either directly or indirectly depends on public support. It seems archaeologists need to better communicate the value and relevance of their work. Can Open Access help in this regard? It’s probably part of the answer....
Posted by
Peter Suber at 6/02/2006 08:38:00 AM.
The open access movement:
Putting peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly literature
on the internet. Making it available free of charge and
free of most copyright and licensing restrictions.
Removing the barriers to serious research.
