The Game of Open Access (OA) is a teaching resource created by library staff at the University of Huddersfield (England) to engage researchers with key concepts & tools required to meet UK OA mandates. Through the use of playful learning, it aims to develop an understanding of the role of Open Access through the initial idea for an article to its acceptance for publication.
Researchers have to consider issues of compliance with funders and governmental requirements when they publish. Once we started looking at the process a researcher needed to follow in order to publish according to the OA mandate for the UK REF, we realized how confusing and complex it was. How could we make it easier for them to navigate this maze, what is the difference between Gold and Green Open Access, who pays for APCs and does the faculty have an OA policy? There were no clear guidelines on how to manage these OA processes and research support staff were as confused as the researchers themselves!
We developed handouts & a Libguide to promote OA compliancy but it became apparent that our focus needed to shift to engagement so decided to use game based learning to engage our researchers. In Spring 2017 library staff brainstormed ideas for a board game with 20 questions. Our in-house graphic designer created the visuals & we tested the game before its official outing at the annual Computing and Library Services Showcase in July. Games seem to be a very popular way of disseminating information & encourage understanding & it has been played by researchers and librarians at library roadshows and in OA information sessions.
The game has given library staff the opportunity to help researchers deepen their understanding of OA compliancy & in addition to traditional support, library guides and advocacy, we aim to lighten the stresses of their journey towards publication.
