Science Without Borders: Open Access Week at Bar-Ilan
During Open Access Week, from March 2–6, expert lectures from Israel and abroad will discuss methods for promoting free access to academic articles and research data online
Why Open Access Matters
A medical researcher in Tel Aviv is on the brink of a breakthrough but needs one crucial dataset to complete her study. Across the world, a scientist in Tokyo has already conducted a similar experiment and published his results—but they’re locked behind a paywall. Meanwhile, in Brazil, an environmental scientist is struggling to access climate data that could help predict the next major drought.
This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a global challenge that slows progress and limits who can participate in scientific discovery. But the Open Access movement is changing that. Around the world, researchers, institutions, and organizations are working to eliminate these barriers—ensuring that publicly funded research is freely accessible to all.
Because science isn’t just about making discoveries—it’s about sharing them. Every locked article, every dataset hidden behind a subscription fee, represents a missed opportunity for collaboration, innovation, and real-world impact. Open Access is about removing these obstacles and unlocking the full potential of research for the benefit of society.
That’s why Bar-Ilan University is hosting Open Access Week from March 2–6, bringing together experts from Israel and abroad to explore bold new ways to make academic knowledge accessible to everyone.
What Is Open Access?
Open Access is a global movement that promotes free access to research, data, and scientific knowledge. It encourages researchers to share their findings openly so that anyone—academics, industry professionals, policymakers, and the public—can benefit from new discoveries.
At its core, Open Access aims to remove barriers that prevent knowledge from being widely shared. This includes open access to journal articles, sharing research data, and promoting transparency in scientific methods.
Who Benefits from Open Access?
- Researchers: Gain access to more studies and data, speeding up discoveries and fostering collaboration.
- Students & Educators: Access learning materials and research without costly subscriptions.
- Businesses & Innovators: Use research to develop new technologies, medical treatments, and solutions.
- The Public: Stay informed about scientific advancements that impact society, from healthcare to climate change.
How Bar-Ilan University Supports Open Access
For years, academic research was confined to those who could afford access. Subscription fees limited who could read published studies, and experimental research data was often completely inaccessible.
Today, many researchers seeking public funding must comply with open access regulations, ensuring their findings are freely available online—along with the data behind them.
Bar-Ilan Leads the Way in Open Access
Bar-Ilan University is at the forefront of Open access in Israel, working to advance accessibility, transparency, and collaboration.
Dr. Simcha Meir, who serves as the National Open Access Desk (NOAD) for OpenAIRE—an organization promoting Open Access across Europe—explains:
"Implementing Open access principles accelerates research and scientific discoveries, improves the accuracy of findings, increases productivity, and fosters public trust in science. We believe that open access publishing is of great importance."