Learning in a digital age/LiDA103/Why open matters/Scientific publishing in a digital world

Scientific research and dissemination of knowledge are key functions of the university. Traditionally, scientific knowledge is distributed through a process of peer-reviewed journals. Profit margins of commercial publishers of scientific journals are in excess of 30% compared with the profit margin of 12 - 15% for commercial magazines (Buranyi 2017 ). From 1978 to 2014, the cost of academic textbooks has risen more than 800% which is more than triple the cost of inflation for the same period (Moules 2016 ). In this section, we will reflect on and discuss the potential of open initiatives to widen affordable access to knowledge in a digital age.