Redefining Impact: Open Access Week October 21-27

The theme of 2013’s Open Access Week (October 21-27) is ‘Redefining Impact.’

I am currently unable to organize a local ‘open access’ event when locals have no understanding of what ‘open access’ means. It may be understood conceptually and theoretically, but these words are outside the vocabulary.

Let me explain. I live in southern Mexico where few people speak English. Trying to engage friends with concepts like ‘open access’ is a big challenge. I welcome your suggestions on introducing the ideas. Meanwhile, if anyone knows how to translate ‘Set the default to open’ (last year’s theme for Open Access Week), let me know!

What I like best about Open Access are the surprises that await us. Many of the applications for the data collected and shared have not yet been thought of. Quoting John Wilbanks speaking at the Research Data Alliance Plenary: “It’s not about net present value. It’s about net potential value.”

If there are any takeaways from previous efforts in opening and sharing access to information is that what is most effective is the most widely understood. Wonky weasel words don’t cut it. Meaningful interaction with knowledge requires that we learn how to communicate across sectors. If we engage people at all points of the dialogue, then the impact we make will be the greatest.

Update: For Open Access Week we are arranging some Google hangouts and edit-a-thons. Scheduling now online  http://doodle.com/4hip92tsgnu7pvmw

Questions:

Is it possible to mashup responsible travel with open access?

Is there a way to connect the noble ideas of Open Access Week with traditional conferences?

Will any of the Open Access Weeks be conducted via Google hangouts?

Would anyone be interested in editing a ‘call to action’ for event planners to make their information and events open access?

Could we create an ‘open access’ scorecard prior to the 2014 World Parks Congress?

Any ideas on how to grow the international movement toward Open Access?

A version of this blog also appears on Planeta.com. You can also track my contributions to Open Access Week.