Plan S for shock: Science, shock, solution, speed

Abstract

In a world where information has never been so accessible, we arehungrier for the facts than ever before. And yet, strict paywalls put in place by multi-billion dollar publishing houses are still preventing millions from accessing quality, scientific knowledge. On 4 September 2018, a bold new initiative known as 'Plan S' was unveiled, kickstarting a global shift in attitudes towards open access research. For the first time, funding agencies across continents joined forces to impose new rules on the publication of research, with the aim of one day making all research free and available to all. Here, the scheme's founder, Robert-Jan Smits, makes a compelling case for Open Access, and reveals for the first time how he set about turning his controversial plan into reality - as well as some of the challenges faced along the way.