Launch of new Networking and Competence Centre for Open Access

The Networking and Competence Centre for Open Access in Brandenburg is a key component of the state of Brandenburg's Open Access strategy. The strategy was developed by a project group headed by Prof. Dr. Ellen Euler, Dean of the Department of Information Sciences and Professor of Open Access, Open Data and Open Science at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. Prof. Dr. jur. Ellen Euler takes over the scientific management of the Networking and Competence Centre.

Science Minister Dr. Manja Schüle: "Brandenburg is one of the pioneers in the digital transformation in the science sector. With our open access strategy, we are creating the conditions for broad access to and free use of publicly funded and published research results. In this way, we are strengthening scientists, universities and research institutions and facilitating the transfer of scientific knowledge to society. This benefits small and medium-sized enterprises as well as civil society initiatives and interested citizens. With the launch of the Networking and Competence Centre, we are going one step further: here, university stakeholders can obtain targeted advice on financial, legal or organisational issues relating to the transition to open access. Our strategy process has attracted national attention and set an example: Brandenburg has therefore also taken on the coordination of the development of joint federal and state Open Access guidelines. This is how innovation 'Made in Brandenburg' works."

Prof. Dr. Eva Schmitt-Rodermund, President of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and Chairwoman of the Brandenburg Rectors' Conference: "Open Access is an essential component of knowledge transfer. As public institutions, universities have a social responsibility to make knowledge-based research transparent and accessible. The Brandenburg Open Access Networking and Competence Centre will work closely with the Centre for Digital Transformation (ZDT) to promote the digital accessibility of scientific results. I am convinced that the visibility of science in Brandenburg will benefit immensely from the Brandenburg Open Access Networking and Competence Centre."

Prof. Dr. Ellen Euler, Scientific Director of the Open Access Networking and Competence Centre: "Brandenburg is unstoppable on its path to greater openness in science and research, even in times of the pandemic. One and a half years after the publication of the state's Open Access strategy, the centrepiece of the strategy is now becoming a reality with the establishment of the Networking and Competence Centre. As Academic Director, I am delighted that we can now start implementing the other points of the Open Access Strategy once the Networking and Competence Centre has been set up. From the second half of the year, we will be offering numerous services in the field of Open Access for universities in the state of Brandenburg. With these services, we hope to make a decisive contribution to the ongoing transformation of science towards Open Access and Open Science. Our aim is to make publicly funded knowledge from Brandenburg freely available to the general public. At the same time, we also see the Networking and Competence Centre as a pilot project with a model character for other federal states. The networking aspect is also explicitly aimed beyond the borders of Brandenburg."

The establishment of the Networking and Competence Centre for Open Access in Brandenburg is one of the key measures of the state's Open Access strategy. Its tasks include making Brandenburg's open access activities visible, advising and networking stakeholders and setting up a publication fund for open access monographs. The Ministry of Science finances the centre, which is based at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, and the publication fund with 300,000 euros annually.

Through "open access", scientific literature is available free of charge and publicly on the Internet, so that interested parties can read, download, copy, print and legally use the texts.

More information on open access in Brandenburg: https://zenodo.org/communities/openaccess_bb