Open Access (OA) refers to the availability of research outputs via the internet, such that any user can find, freely access, read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, link, crawl, mine and otherwise use and reuse the Research Outputs both manually and using automated tools. Any use or reuse is subject to full and proper attribution, and usually will have an appropriate licence, such as any of the options available through the Creative Commons suite of licences, and should not infringe any copyrights to third-party material included in the Research Output. Further information on copyright. 

OA can incorporate the same features as traditional scholarly publishing including peer-review of articles, copy-editing and quality assurance. The primary difference is that the publisher does not charge for access to the journal or other type of publication. Anyone can read, copy, print, download or link to the publication free of charge.

• The University of Western Australia supports the principle of Open Access by making publications available online within twelve months of publication through the UWA Profiles and Research Repository. UWA authors are responsible for depositing copies of their publications in accordance with this policy.
• Open access makes research results freely available to anyone with an internet connection rather than keeping those results hidden behind a subscription paywall.
• Open access takes your research to a wider audience and makes it easier for other researchers to find and cite.

Listen to UWA and other researchers discuss the importance of making research openly accessible:

If you wish to provide Open Access (OA) to your research, you have three options:

• Cerae: An Australasian Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Australasian journal of medieval and early modern studies.

•  CygnusUWA

Showcases the research of first year students at The University of Western Australia (UWA) enrolled in a biology unit.

• Education research and perspectives

A multi-disciplinary Open Access journal, published continuously by the Faculty of Education since December 1950. All contents from 2000 are now available as OA articles. (Host: Faculty of Education)

• Limina: a journal of historical and cultural studies

A refereed academic journal of historical and cultural studies based in the Discipline of History at UWA. (Host: Faculty of Arts)

• Outskirts: feminisms along the edge

A peer-reviewed feminist cultural studies journal published in May and November. (Host: School of Humanities)

• Tenderfoot (formerly Trove)

An online interactive creative arts journal created for, by and with students. (Host: UWA Cultural Precinct)

• Westerly ​(issues become Open Access after three years)

Since 1956, Westerly has been publishing lively fiction and poetry as well as intelligent articles. It covers literature and culture throughout the world, but maintains a special emphasis on Australia, particularly Western Australia, and the Asian region.

Journal directories help you to locate appropriate Open Access (OA) journals in your discipline area.                                                      

Australasian OA Strategy Group website

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