Events

What Does Knowledge Cost?

Publishing Without Paywalls at UCC

Part of International Open Access Week 2026: “The Cost of Knowledge” (19–25 October)

Knowledge should not come with a price tag. UCC Journals (journals.ucc.ie) are Diamond Open Access: free to read for everyone and free to publish in, with no charges for authors. All are scholar-led, edited by UCC students and academic staff.

Join us to celebrate this work, see the launch of UCC's new Open Access and Research Outputs Policy, and find out how you can get involved as an author, peer reviewer or editor. All staff and students are welcome, whether you are curious about publishing your first article, want to gain editorial experience, or are already running a journal and want to develop it further.

Programme

Liz Jolly, University Librarian

10:05 - Launch of the UCC Open Access and Research Outputs Policy
David O'Connell, Director of Research Support & Policy, Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation, Policy link

10:15 - Lightning talks: UCC Journals showcase their work
Three journals in ten minutes each: what they publish, how they work, and how you can get involved as an author or peer reviewer.
1. Barry Monahan (Irish Screen studies) – new addition to UCC Journals
2. UCC Student History Journal (student-led journal)
3. Health Sciences Libraries Journal (from a newsletter to a journal)
4. First time author experience

11:00 -Coffee break

11:20 - UCC Journals Community - Developing your journal with OJS
Discussion led by Paul Davidson, UCC Library. How journals hosted on the UCC Journals platform can grow: workflows, visibility and new features.

11:55 - Wrap up and next steps
Hardy Schwamm, Head of Research Services, UCC Library

12:00 - Close

The event is free, but places are limited. Coffee and refreshments provided.