Open Access refers to the practice of providing unrestricted access to research outputs, such as journal articles and data, to the public. This model aims to enhance the dissemination of knowledge and foster collaboration among researchers, institutions, and the general public. By removing paywalls, Open Access promotes transparency and accelerates the pace of scientific discovery.
There are various types of Open Access, including Gold Open Access, where articles are freely available immediately upon publication, and Green Open Access, which allows authors to self-archive their work in repositories. This movement is supported by initiatives like Plan S, which advocates for immediate Open Access to publicly funded research.