Access to scientific information: a view from the European Commission

Abstract

The European Commission is involved in the debate on access to scientific publications and data both as a policymaking body and as a funding body. As a policymaking body, related activities can be seen within the wider Lisbon Agenda of "becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world". In this context, the Commission is active from both a research policy and an information society perspective. As a funding body, the Commission can determine rules on access to and dissemination of publications and data resulting from the Framework Programme, the EU's main research funding programme. Celina Ramjoué of the Commission's Research Directorate-General (DG) (Governance and Ethics Unit) will discuss how the European Commission intends to contribute to optimising the benefits of scientific publication for the research community and society as a whole.