Dear Reader,<\/p>\n
I would appreciate your help.<\/p>\n
I am working on a chapter for a book on openness within science (to be published by Manchester University Press). The book is part of the \u2018Making Science Public<\/a>\u2019 program run by Prof Brigitte Nerlich<\/a> at Nottingham University and aims to take a critical look at the dilemmas of open science. In my chapter I want to explore how open access publishing has impacted the relationship between the public (in its various forms and groupings) and researchers.<\/p>\n As someone who has supported open access from within the life sciences, I have often expressed the hope that increasing the volume of the research literature accessible to the public might stimulate a public-side demand for more information from researchers,\u00a0or clearer reports (e.g. <\/em>lay summaries) \u2013 or might in other ways change the dynamic of interaction with the \u2018experts\u2019. I\u2019m interested in the question of whether open access has empowered<\/em> members of the public (broadly defined) in any significant way.<\/p>\n This is likely to be a minority interest among the general<\/em> public but I imagine that there are special interest groups \u2013 patient organisations and campaign groups among them \u2013 that have a strong interest in the research literature.<\/p>\n I would very much like to find specific examples. I have made a number of directed enquiries but then thought I would\u00a0use my blog to widen the net, particularly since the deadline is \u2013 what\u2019s the word? \u2013 impending<\/em>.<\/p>\n So, does anyone out there know of cases where open access to the research literature has stimulated contact with the research community? I would be particularly interested in instances where the contact has altered the course of research or clinical practice or public policy.<\/p>\n I would be grateful for all comments and suggestions. Please feel free to comment below or\u00a0email me via the link on the left hand side of\u00a0my university web page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many thanks,<\/p>\n Stephen<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dear Reader, I would appreciate your help. I am working on a chapter for a book on openness within science (to be published by Manchester University Press). The book is part of the \u2018Making Science Public\u2019 program run by Prof … Continue reading