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Open Access Week runs from 19-25 October, 2026
This year's Open Access Week theme, 'The Cost of Knowledge', invites us to reflect on a fundamental question: who gets to access knowledge, and at what cost?
Universities exist to create, share and apply knowledge for the benefit of society. Yet access to knowledge remains shaped by a range of financial, contractual, technical and social barriers. These barriers influence not only who can access information, but also who can contribute to, discover, use and benefit from the knowledge generated through research and education.
The cost of knowledge is not simply measured through journal subscriptions, publication charges or textbook prices. It can also be seen in lost opportunities for collaboration, innovation and impact when knowledge is inaccessible to researchers, educators, students, industry partners, policymakers and communities. As knowledge ecosystems become increasingly digital and AI-enabled, questions of equitable access, control, transparency and responsible use are becoming even more significant.
Open access is one of the most powerful ways universities can address these challenges. By making research outputs more widely available, open access increases visibility, expands the reach and impact of research, supports collaboration across disciplines and borders, and helps ensure that knowledge generated through research can benefit the widest possible audience. Open approaches also support education by increasing access to high-quality learning resources, reducing barriers for student access, and creating more equitable opportunities for participation and success.
UOW's commitment to open access
At UOW, our commitment to open access extends beyond publishing. Through initiatives such as , support for and , we are working to reduce barriers to knowledge and create more equitable opportunities for learning, discovery and innovation. These initiatives support academics in sharing their work more broadly while also helping students access the resources they need to succeed.
As we celebrate Open Access Week, we encourage everyone to consider how greater openness can expand the reach, value and impact of knowledge. The cost of knowledge is not only the barriers to access information. It is also the opportunities lost when knowledge cannot be shared, discovered, used or applied for the benefit of society.