The Philosophy of Open Source and Open Access: Unlocking Knowledge for a Global Audience

The digital era has transformed how knowledge is created, shared, and accessed. Central to this transformation are the principles of Open Source and Open Access, two movements that have revolutionized scholarly communication and democratized access to information. These concepts, championed by the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), are not just technical or legal frameworks but are deeply rooted in a philosophy that values collaboration, transparency, and equity in the dissemination of knowledge.

This article explores the philosophy behind Open Source and Open Access, delving into what these terms truly mean, how they intersect, and the profound impact they have had on the academic community and beyond.

Understanding Open Source: Freedom to Innovate and Collaborate

What is Open Source?

At its core, Open Source refers to software that is released with a license that allows anyone to freely use, modify, and distribute the source code. This concept is grounded in the belief that the best ideas emerge when they are shared openly and collaboratively. The General Public License (GPL) V3, which is employed by PKP for its software, is one of the most widely recognized Open Source licenses. It ensures that any software released under its terms remains free for all to use, modify, and share.

Key Principles of Open Source:

• Transparency: Open Source software is built in a transparent manner, with its source code available for anyone to inspect, modify, or enhance. This transparency fosters trust and collaboration among users and developers.
• Collaboration: By making the source code available to the public, Open Source encourages a collaborative development process. Developers from around the world can contribute to the software, improving its functionality, fixing bugs, and adding new features.
• Freedom: Open Source licenses grant users the freedom to use the software for any purpose, study how it works, modify it to suit their needs, and share it with others. This freedom is fundamental to the Open Source philosophy.

The Role of PKP in the Open Source Movement

The Public Knowledge Project (PKP) has been a leading advocate for Open Source in the realm of scholarly publishing. Since its inception, PKP has developed and maintained several Open Source publishing platforms, including Open Journal Systems (OJS), Open Monograph Press (OMP), and Open Preprint Systems (OPS). These platforms have empowered academic institutions, libraries, and independent publishers to take control of their publishing processes without the need for costly proprietary software.

PKP’s commitment to Open Source goes beyond simply releasing software; it is about fostering a community where users can contribute to the ongoing development of the software. This community-driven approach has led to a rich ecosystem of plugins, translations, and customizations that enhance the functionality and accessibility of PKP’s platforms. Today, PKP’s software operates in more than 30 languages, supporting the publication of research in over 60 languages, reflecting the truly global impact of the Open Source philosophy.

Understanding Open Access: Democratizing Knowledge

What is Open Access?

Open Access (OA) is a movement aimed at making scholarly research freely available to the public. Unlike traditional publishing models that require readers to pay for access to content, Open Access removes these barriers, allowing anyone with an internet connection to read, share, and cite research without restrictions or fees.

Key Principles of Open Access:

• Accessibility: Open Access ensures that research is freely accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial or institutional resources. This accessibility is crucial for advancing knowledge and promoting educational equity.
• Reuse: Open Access publications are typically licensed under Creative Commons licenses, such as CC BY 4.0, which allow others to freely reuse, adapt, and distribute the work, provided the original authors are credited. This fosters the sharing and dissemination of knowledge.
• Equity: By removing paywalls and other access barriers, Open Access promotes a more equitable distribution of knowledge, particularly benefiting researchers and institutions in low- and middle-income countries.

PKP’s Role in Advancing Open Access

PKP has been at the forefront of the Open Access movement, developing software that supports the dissemination of research without financial barriers. Open Journal Systems (OJS), for example, has become one of the most widely used platforms for Open Access publishing, with over 30,000 journals using it worldwide. The majority of these journals operate on the “diamond” Open Access model, where neither authors nor readers are charged fees, making it one of the most equitable forms of publishing.

PKP’s software platforms are designed to integrate seamlessly with Open Access principles. By recommending the use of Creative Commons licenses, PKP ensures that the research published using its software can be freely shared and reused, maximizing its impact and reach.

The Intersection of Open Source and Open Access: A Powerful Synergy

Congruence in Spirit and Practice

The philosophy of Open Source and Open Access is deeply intertwined, with both movements sharing a commitment to openness, collaboration, and the democratization of knowledge. PKP has successfully aligned these two philosophies in its work, creating a powerful synergy that has amplified the impact of both movements.

Shared Values:

• Openness: Both Open Source and Open Access emphasize the importance of making information freely available to the public. This openness fosters innovation, as ideas can be built upon and improved by anyone with the interest and ability to do so.
• Collaboration: The collaborative nature of Open Source development mirrors the collaborative nature of scientific research, where knowledge is advanced through the sharing and critique of ideas. Open Access publishing supports this by making research findings readily available for scrutiny and further study.
• Equity: Both movements strive to remove barriers—whether financial, technical, or legal—that prevent people from accessing information. This commitment to equity ensures that the benefits of knowledge are shared widely, rather than being confined to those who can afford to pay for access.

The Impact of FOSS on Scholarly Publishing

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) has revolutionized scholarly publishing by providing tools that are not only free to use but also adaptable to the specific needs of different communities. PKP’s platforms, such as OJS, OMP, and OPS, are prime examples of how FOSS can empower publishers to create and distribute knowledge on their own terms.

Benefits of FOSS in Scholarly Publishing:

• Customization: Because the source code is openly available, publishers can customize the software to meet their specific needs, whether that involves integrating with other systems, adding new features, or modifying the user interface.
• Localization: FOSS allows for the localization of software, meaning that it can be translated and adapted to different languages and cultural contexts. PKP’s platforms are a testament to this, with support for over 30 languages.
• Community-Driven Development: The open nature of FOSS encourages contributions from users, who can develop plugins, share improvements, and provide feedback. This community-driven approach leads to software that better meets the needs of its users.

The Rise of Equitable Scholarly Publishing

The Diamond Open Access Model

One of the most significant outcomes of the synergy between Open Source and Open Access is the rise of the diamond Open Access model. In this model, neither authors nor readers are charged fees to publish or access content. This model is particularly important for fostering equity in scholarly communication, as it removes financial barriers that can prevent researchers from participating in the academic conversation.

The OA Diamond Journals Study: In 2021, the OA Diamond Journals Study, led by Arianna Bercerril, found that 60% of diamond Open Access journals were using OJS. The study estimated that there could be as many as 29,000 diamond Open Access journals, with the vast majority using PKP’s software. This finding underscores the critical role that Open Source software plays in enabling equitable access to knowledge.

Fostering Global Collaboration

The combination of Open Source and Open Access is also fostering global collaboration in scholarly publishing. By providing free and adaptable tools, PKP has enabled researchers, librarians, and publishers around the world to collaborate on a scale that was previously unimaginable.

Examples of Global Impact:

• Regional Capacity Building: FOSS platforms like OJS enable local installations, which can be tailored to meet regional needs. This has led to the development of technical capacities in areas that were previously underserved, contributing to a more globally inclusive scholarly communication system.
• Multilingual Publishing: The ability to translate and localize FOSS software has allowed for the publication of research in multiple languages, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to diverse linguistic communities.
• Cross-Border Collaboration: The open nature of both the software and the research it supports encourages cross-border collaboration, as researchers can easily share and build upon each other’s work.

Conclusion: The Expanding Openness of Scholarly Communication

The philosophy of Open Source and Open Access, as championed by PKP, is bringing about a more open, equitable, and collaborative future for scholarly communication. By aligning the principles of FOSS with the goals of Open Access, PKP has created a powerful framework that not only supports the dissemination of knowledge but also empowers the global academic community to take control of their publishing processes.

As we move forward, the continued expansion of open source and open access promises to democratize knowledge even further, ensuring that the benefits of research are shared by all, regardless of geography, language, or financial means. PKP’s work in this area is a shining example of how these principles can be put into practice to create a more just and inclusive world of scholarly communication.

In a world where information is power, the principles of Open Source and Open Access ensure that this power is shared widely, fostering innovation, collaboration, and progress on a global scale.