Sustainable and Collaborative Research Information for Bibliodiverse Ecosystems: A Transnational Study

This project aims to understand the conceptualisation of ‘open’ in the open access movement and the development of open research infrastructure from a transnational perspective by identifying boundaries and constraints that hinder the growth of bibliodiversity in three different geographical regions. Its objectives are to shed light on an overlooked research area in knowledge production: the relationship between standards, geopolitics and transnational knowledge flows by examining the antithesis of openness: boundaries, censorship, and regulations that enforce closures and blockades. WP1 explores and develops the conceptual and methodological dimensions in understanding openness and related concepts, as well as methodological approaches regarding knowledge flows and information boundaries. WP2 examines the inception and development of open research infrastructure, SciELO and African Journal Online (AJOL), both of which have distinct characteristics and follow different timelines and trajectories. WP3 investigates the current development of open research infrastructure in Europe, with a specific focus on standards and standardisation and their potential implications on regionalism, internationalism and globalisation. Following the practices of laboratory studies, the study will gain in-depth understanding by rich description and co-construction of meanings in the research process. In sum, the project will provide novel theoretical and methodological perspectives and unique empirical findings that understand the global inequities of knowledge production with an ultimate goal of fostering sustainable, collaborative, equitable, and bibliodiverse research ecosystems.