The cost of knowledge
19 - 25 October 2026
Open Access Week 2026
We create and share knowledge to advance human understanding and the common good. We recognize that accessing and sharing knowledge is a human right. Yet, the costs to access and share knowledge continue to increase, often dramatically. Why? Who benefits?
Increasing consolidation and commercial control over all aspects of knowledge comes at a cost. This year’s theme challenges us to consider the financial, human, and environmental costs of creating, sharing, and sustaining knowledge—particularly when these costs are driven by private rather than public interests. Last year’s theme of “Who owns our knowledge?” reflected on the reality of commercial ownership of knowledge.
This year’s theme will reckon with the costs of that reality and avenues for reclaiming control of these systems meant to serve the public interest.
UniSQ Open Access Week events schedule
| Session title and registration link (if applicable) | Date and time | Presenters | Session format |
| Coffee Course sessions |
Each morning at 10.00 am (AEST) |
Facilitators from UniSQ, JCU, UTS, La Trobe, and Deakin Universities |
Self-paced, online learning community |
|
The Cost of Knowledge: Publishing Open Access Without Publication Fees. Register with your UniSQ credentials to attend. |
Monday 19 October 2026 12.00 pm - 1.00 pm (AEST) |
Amanda Pearson, Scholarly Communications Librarian (UniSQ) |
Webinar |
|
Zombies will RISE: Resurrect Your Research with RISE this Open Access Week. View the Resurrect Your Research Flyer (401 KB) to learn more. |
All week |
Amanda Pearson, Scholarly Communications Librarian (UniSQ) |
Ongoing individual participation |
Session abstracts and information
Abstract
Explore practical, fee-free Open Access publishing pathways available at UniSQ and discover how to maximise the reach and impact of your research.
Contact: Amanda Pearson by email to ScholarlyCommunicationsLibrarian@unisq.edu.au
Abstract
Give your research a second life this Halloween by depositing your Author Accepted Manuscript in RISE. Increase the visibility of your work while celebrating Open Access Week. The first 100 October submissions will receive a $5 café voucher. View the Resurrect Your Research flyer (401 KB) to learn more.
Contact: Amanda Pearson by email to ScholarlyCommunicationsLibrarian@unisq.edu.au
Abstract
A Coffee Course is designed around a single idea, and explored over a series of days (usually one week). Each day, a post is published, and it will take participants roughly fifteen minutes to consider the information, and a response (although you can spend as long as you want, and revisit past days). The key aspect of the content is that it provokes a response and discussion among participants. Facilitators are responsible for answering, summarising, and extending comments on their assigned day.
Visit the Open Access Week Coffee Course site for information on how to participate and to follow along with the daily posts.
Contact: Adrian Stagg by email to open.content@unisq.edu.au
Coffee Course schedule
| Day |
Topic | Facilitators |
| Monday | From renting access to creating knowledge: the promise of open educators | Claire Ovaska & Samanthi Suraweera (UniSQ) |
| Tuesday | Seeking symbiosis ecologies of integration | Adrian Stagg (UniSQ) |
| Wednesday | The work we already do: same effort, yet split recognition | Mais Fatayer (Industry Fellow, UTS), & Amara Atif (UTS) |
| Thursday | Collectively powered OER: sharing the load to amplify impact | Steven Chang (La Trobe) |
| Friday | An Open Manifesto | Danni Hamilton (Deakin) |