This year’s International Open Access Week (October 19–25) theme emphasizes community over commercialization, urging us to examine the hidden economic, structural, and social barriers in research distribution. At JMIR Publications, we wanted to approach this conversation from a fresh angle. What does "the cost of knowledge" look like through the eyes of the next generation of researchers, creators, and global citizens?
To find out, we launched a unique cross-hemispheric collaboration with Lingnan University in Hong Kong.
Key Takeaways |
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JMIR-Lingnan Collaboration: JMIR Publications partnered with Hong Kong's Lingnan University to integrate an Open Access design campaign into their curriculum. |
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Open Science as a Public Good: Students used visual storytelling to frame open access as a essential catalyst for global research equity and societal progress. |
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Spotlighting Student Voices: JMIR featured three standout student projects across social media to celebrate International Open Access Week and empower future advocates. |
The Origin: From Concept to Classroom
The initiative began with a simple goal: connect real-world scientific publishing with hands-on academic training. Teaming up with Paul Shepherd, Lecturer in the Department of Digital Arts and Creative Industries (DACI) at Lingnan University, we integrated an Open Access campaign directly into his Visual Communication and Graphic Design curriculum.
Over 30 students were challenged to apply Design Thinking principles to break down complex issues surrounding academic publishing, research equity, paywalls, and open science into engaging, visually compelling presentations.
Despite the 12-hour time difference between Toronto and Hong Kong, we kicked off live Zoom sessions and design reviews. The students took core topics, such as article processing charges (APCs), subscription fee burdens, and open access as a human right, and translated them into vibrant visual narratives.
The Student Perspective
When reviewing over 30 slide deck presentations and video recordings, one clear message emerged: Students see open science not as an abstract publishing model, but as a catalyst for global societal progress.
While commercial paywalls have historically restricted access to vital scientific discoveries, these students highlighted how open access acts as "the great equalizer", democratizing information for doctors, students, and institutions worldwide regardless of budget constraints.
To showcase these diverse perspectives throughout Open Access Week, we selected three standout student presentations to feature across our social media channels:
Berenika’s presentation explores open access as a driver for societal advancement. Through clear, structured visuals, her work illustrates how freely accessible research accelerates scientific discoveries, bridges inequalities between institutions, and serves the broader public good.
Rachel’s project delivers a personal look at how research barriers directly affect students and early-career researchers. Her story highlights the frustration of encountering paywalls during literature reviews and articulates why transparent, open knowledge sharing is vital for academic growth.
Nick’s submission aligns closely with modern digital communications, using sleek, intuitive visual design to break down the mechanics of open science. His presentation demonstrates how open access removes friction from global collaboration, allowing researchers to build on each other's work without financial or legal barriers.
Collaborating with Paul Shepherd and the students at Lingnan University reinforced an important truth: advancing open science requires diverse voices, creative storytelling, and continuous education.
By providing students with real-world agency experience, we aren't just raising awareness about open access—we are empowering the next generation of scholars and visual communicators to advocate for research equity.
Watch the videos, leave a comment, and join the conversation as we celebrate International Open Access Week and highlight student voices shaping the future of knowledge sharing!