Open Access Resources
Journals and Papers
Repositories of Open Access Journals, Research, & Theses
Social networking site for sharing open access articles such as author pre-prints. However, some content may be posted in breach of copyright and may be removed by publishers, so links may not be stable.
arXiv, originally created at Los Alamos National Laboratory and now housed at Cornell University, serves the physics community, especially high-energy particle physics. It is actually a preprint server, acting as the original publisher for many physics papers which may later appear in peer-reviewed journals.
BASE is one of the world’s most voluminous search engines especially for academic web resources. BASE provides more than 150 million documents from more than 7,000 sources. You can access the full texts of about 60% of the indexed documents for free (Open Access).
bioRxiv is a free online archive and distribution service for unpublished preprints in the life sciences. By posting preprints on bioRxiv, authors are able to make their findings immediately available to the scientific community and receive feedback on draft manuscripts before they are submitted to journals.
The Campbell Collaboration is an international social science research network that produces high quality, open and policy-relevant evidence syntheses, plain language summaries and policy briefs.
Covers Arts & Humanities, Biology, Business & Management, Chemistry, Economics & Finance, Education, Engineering, Environmental Science, Food & Agriculture, Mathematics & Statistics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology, Social Sciences,
CORE harvests research papers from data providers from all over the world including institutional and subject repositories, open access and hybrid journal publishers
Thousands of books and articles in the humanities, social sciences, science, technology, and medicine. (You will need to Filter your search results by Open Access).
Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
DOAJ is a community-curated online directory that indexes and provides access to high quality, open access, peer-reviewed journals.
All articles in open access journals which are published by Elsevier have undergone peer review and upon acceptance are immediately and permanently free for everyone to read and download.
A pioneer in scholarly open access scientific publishing since 1996, covering 369 diverse, peer reviewed, open access journals.
A catalogue of over 50 million records representing open access resources from more than 2,000 contributors.
Open Access Theses and Dissertations
OATD.org aims to be the best possible resource for finding open access graduate theses and dissertations published around the world. Metadata (information about the theses) comes from over 1100 colleges, universities, and research institutions. OATD currently indexes 5,153,410 theses and dissertations.
OpenDOAR: the Directory of Open Access Repositories
OpenDOAR is the quality-assured, global Directory of Open Access Repositories. You can search and browse through thousands of registered repositories based on a range of features, such as location, software or type of material held.
Open Knowledge Repository (World Bank)
The World Bank will be adopting an Open Access policy which went into effect July 1, 2012. The OKR was created as a home for the Bank’s research outputs. Upon launch, three years worth of publications were made available, but they are working on adding content retrospectively. See the World Bank’s Data Services for access to their open data.
Open Science Framework Preprint Repository
The Open Science Framework hosts repositories across the disciplines. They are leading the way in a new preprint revolution to facilitate open access to and community review of new research prior to publication.
PMC is a free full-text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM). PMC derives its importance as the mandated repository for articles based on research funded by the National Institutes of Health. Some journals automatically deposit all their content in PMC, others do so selectively at the request of NIH-funded authors.
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics
RePEc is a collaborative effort of hundreds of volunteers in 76 countries to enhance the dissemination of research in Economics and related sciences. The heart of the project is a decentralized bibliographic database of working papers, journal articles, books, books chapters and software components.
ROAR: Registry of Open Access Repositories
ROAR is a directory of open access repositories worldwide, maintained at the University of Southampton (UK). It lists almost 2,500 repositories taken from OpenDOAR and other sites. You may search its list by name, country, subject, software type, date of creation and other criteria. Records for individual repositories display a thumbnail of the home page, activity graphs, country of origin, supporting organization, formats and number of objects contained, as well as a link to the repository itself.
Social networking site for sharing open access articles such as author pre-prints. However, some content may be posted in breach of copyright and may be removed by publishers, so links may not be stable.
SocArXiv: Open Archive of the Social sciences
Open archive of research papers in social sciences, humanities, law and education, moderated before being listed.
Social Science Research Network
The SSRN eLibrary consists of two parts: an Abstract Database containing abstracts on over 281,400 scholarly working papers and forthcoming papers; and an Electronic Paper Collection, currently containing over 233,400 downloadable full text documents in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The eLibrary also includes the research papers of a number of Fee Based Partner Publications.
SAGE Open publishers peer-reviewed, original research and review articles covering the social and behavioural sciences and the humanities
The SpringerOpen portfolio has grown tremendously since its launch in 2010, so that we now offer researchers from all areas of science, technology, medicine, the humanities and social sciences a place to publish open access in journals.
Open E-Books
Repositories of Open Access E-Books
Thousands of books and articles in the humanities, social sciences, science, technology, and medicine. (You will need to Filter your search results by Open Access).
Directory of Open Access Books
The primary aim of DOAB is to increase discoverability of Open Access books.
Offers partial access to titles that are out of copyright, or where the publisher has given permission. You’ll be able to see a preview of the book, and in some cases the entire text. If it’s in the public domain, you’re free to download a PDF copy.
A vast non-profit library of millions of free eBooks. You may need to set up an Internet Archive account in order to “borrow” some content.
Free academic books in a range of subjects.
The LibreTexts project is a multi-institutional collaborative effort to improve education at all levels of higher learning by developing Open Access Resources. In a nutshell, it’s a bunch of people making the world a better place by sharing the world’s scientific knowledge, and you can help!
OAPEN (Open Access Publishing in European Networks)
The OAPEN Library contains freely accessible academic books, mainly in the area of humanities and social sciences.
OER textbooks and collections by topic and subject area.
A leading, independent UK Open Access publisher for the Humanities and Social Sciences since 2008.
A Canadian Government funded project, begun in 2012, that provides students with open textbooks and other open educational resources.
Millions of books, from children’s classics to textbooks, free to read online or “borrow”.
Free. Open-source. Peer-reviewed. High-quality textbooks for your college course.
Textbooks that are free to use and distribute, and licensed to be freely adapted or changed (with proper attribution).
Provides access to over 60,000 free eBooks; also discoverable through UR Library Search.
Springer Open Access Package (eBooks)
Browse and download books free of charge from SpringerLink (in HTML, PDF, or ePub format).
MOOCs
Providers of Massive Open Online Courses
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free online courses available for anyone to enroll. MOOCs provide an affordable and flexible way to learn new skills, advance your career and deliver quality educational experiences at scale.
Canvas Network specializes in professional development classes for teachers, school administrators, and other education leaders. Topics include leading and applying assessment in student affairs, supporting women in STEM fields, and research data management for librarians. Students can access MOOCs in English, Chinese, Portugese, and Spanish.
Like other platforms, Canvas Network provides predominantly free and self-paced online classes. Educators benefit from open licensing options that allow them to freely share and reuse content as well as integrate third-party tools for their own purposes. This perk enables teachers to design and run their own MOOC to bolster traditional classroom instruction.
Formerly known as Big Data University, Cognitive Class is an initiative by IBM to spread data literacy through free classes for students and experienced IT professionals alike. Users can pursue coursework at their own pace with no time restrictions for completion. These MOOCs cover individual topics like Python for data science, reactive architecture, and digital analytics and regression.
Alternatively, learners can enroll in more general learning paths, taking a series of classes on broad subjects like deep learning and Scala programming. Cognitive Class goes beyond pre-recorded lectures, enabling students to practice what they learn through a virtual lab environment. In lieu of a certificate, candidates can earn verified digital badges, which reflect shareable and industry-wide forms of recognition.
Coursera was founded in 2012 by two Stanford professors and is one of the largest massive open access course providers in the world. The platform partners with 190 companies and universities to provide fully remote and self-paced learning opportunities leading to digital certificates at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. Coursera also offers affordable online degrees through its partner schools.
Created as a joint venture between Harvard and MIT, edX is another leading MOOC platform. edX uses an open-source learning system that allows technologists and educators to augment their MOOCs freely, adding tools that support the specific needs of their students. In addition to professional certificates, learners can earn college credits through the MicroBachelors and MicroMasters programs. edX also delivers full online graduate degrees, including master’s credentials for supply chain management, nutritional sciences, and marketing.
FutureLearn is a massive open online course provider founded in the United Kingdom in 2012 by 12 university partners, including King’s College London and the University of Leeds. Students can complete short courses to learn new skills in areas like digital product management, ecology and wildlife science, and the future of globalization. They may also obtain microcredentials from leading universities and major companies.
Additionally, FutureLearn provides low-cost online academic programs that enable candidates to earn a bachelor of arts in international business or a master of science in cybersecurity. Unlike other platforms, FutureLearn structures its courses through narrative, with weekly to-do lists that help students stay on top of coursework. Learners can also access one-on-one support from a network of tutors.
Kadenze was launched in 2015 as a for-profit company with the support of 18 institutional partners, including Princeton University and the Rhode Island School of Design. This MOOC provider focuses on music, visual arts, creative technology, and other fields of study that lagged behind due to the prominence of STEM education. Students enjoy self-paced, mobile-friendly content that lets them showcase their skills with professional portfolio tools. Users can access individual classes that cover topics in cinematic storytelling, project management for designers, and sound production in Ableton. Although Kadenze offers most of its MOOCs for free, students can pay to access in-depth feedback and other premium content. Kadenze also offers curated programs that enable learners to specialize in a subject.
Khan Academy bases its organizational mission on the belief that education is a human right. To this end, the platform offers entirely free online courses that integrate instructional videos, practice exercises, and a personalized learning dashboard. Unlike many other MOOC providers, Khan Academy largely supports K-12 students, with content for pre-algebra, English language education, AP chemistry, and U.S government and civics. Learners may also access preparation materials for standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, GRE, NCLEX-RN, and even the Praxis exams. Furthermore, Khan Academy offers resources for teachers and parents, who can assign standards-aligned course materials and track student progress. Through networking tools, users may connect with students and teachers across the globe.
Udacity is a for-profit MOOC platform that focuses on career development through technical and vocational online courses. Topics span six areas of study, which include data science, cloud computing, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence. Students can also take programming and development classes in C++, Blockchain, and Android developer. Additionally, working professionals may complete MOOCs that help them gain product management and marketing analytics skills. Beyond diverse course offerings, Udacity delivers comprehensive career services, including personalized job coaching, resume writing guidance, and LinkedIn best practices. The Udacity Talent Program lets users create detailed profiles and connect with major employers like Google and Mercedes-Benz.
As the largest online learning provider, Udemy offers over 150,000 courses in 65 languages. While students can take a variety of free courses, many MOOCs require a fee. By paying for premium content, users also gain access to features like direct messaging, Q&A, and certificates of completion.
Topics cover 11 broad categories, including office productivity, health and fitness, and photography. Students can also complete finance and accounting classes, learning the key elements of Bitcoin and blockchain or developing global market analysis skills. Additionally, Udemy provides personal development content that enables users to manage stress, improve their self-esteem, and cultivate meaningful relationships.
The sheer variety of MOOCs allow you to use these courses to supplement a college education or gain entirely new skills and knowledge. MOOCs also benefit working professionals who want to learn specialized and technical competencies to advance their careers. Lastly, these online classes are a great tool to network with other learners and industry experts worldwide.
Arts and Humanities
Open Access Resources for Arts & Humanities
An open-access digital journal for the visual arts.
Access thousands of the British Library’s global recordings, including music, drama and literature, oral history, languages and dialects, wildlife, and birdsong.
Discover inspiring cultural heritage from European museums, galleries, libraries and archives. Europeana provides access to millions of books, music, artworks and more—with sophisticated search and filter tools to help you find what you’re looking for.
Harry Ransom Center Digital Collections
These collections represent a sample of the Ransom Center’s diverse holdings in literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts.
Institute of Classical Studies
From individuals to publishers, a wealth of Classics content, from ancient language learning resources to journal access, museum databases to recordings of Greek drama, is becoming available to everyone, in addition to the digital resources already offered to ICS readers. This listing is a work in progress.
Institute of Historical Research
To help those writing dissertations and undertaking research, the IHR are collecting links to accessible online materials, e.g. Fordham’s Internet Medieval Sourcebook. This listing is a work in progress.
Millions of books, from children’s classics to textbooks, free to read online or “borrow”.
Founded in 1987, this collection from Tufts University covers the history, literature and culture of the Greco-Roman world.
The Poetry Archive is a not-for-profit organisation that produces, acquires and preserves recordings of poets reading their own work out loud.
An independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture.
Pure: Roehampton Online Research Repository An open-access portal for research information at the University of Roehampton
Repository For Arts And Health Resources
A searchable database of ‘grey literature’ on arts for health practice from 1996 onwards. Most are free to download.
International open access database for artistic research.
SocArXiv: Open Archive of the Social sciences
Open archive of research papers in social sciences, humanities, law and education, moderated before being listed.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The leading online philosophy reference resource, with entries added, updated and refereed by experts in the field.
VADS (Visual Arts Data Service)
Over 140,000 images from over 300 art collections, free for educational use.
Performing Arts
Open Access Resources for Dance, Theater, Film, & Performing Arts
British Library Theatre Archive Project
Contains recordings of interviews with British theatre goers and practitioners from 1945–1968.
Dance Commons Open access articles on dance.
Dramatic Literature, Criticism and Theory Commons
Open access articles on all aspects of the dramatic arts.
Open access articles.
An international, open access academic journal dedicated to film studies and philosophy.
Home to the world’s largest and nest collection of Shakespeare materials and to major collections of other rare Renaissance books, manuscripts, and works of art. Website offers the facility to learn about Folger events and resources, both online and on location. Online texts, teaching tools and digital collections. A great resource. Links to the Hamnet catalogue.
A biannual, peer-reviewed, academic journal for scholars of film, media and screen studies.
A peer-reviewed academic journal of videographic film and moving image studies.
Library of Congress: Performing Arts Databases
Integrates the collections, commissions and live concerts of the Library of Congress, allowing users to discover the Library’s music and performing-arts collections through a single gateway on the Web. The site brings together thousands of materials digitized from the Library’s vast collections of sheet music, sound recordings, moving images, manuscripts, photographs, and oral histories.
An open access multimedia platform offering free video content in all genres and styles, from ballet, baroque and butoh, to jazz, hip-hop and tango.
Open Culture: Free movies online
Over 1,000 free films including animation, classics, independents, film noir, westerns, etc.
Open access articles.
Images and articles from contemporary British and Irish photographers.
Free online journalism, criticism, and photography from the US. Includes reading lists on decolonization and black history.
REED (Records of Early English Drama) Online
Search the surviving records of drama, secular music, and other popular entertainment in England from the Middle Ages until 1642, when the Puritans closed the London theaters.
A peer-reviewed online journal from the University of Bremen, Germany.
A growing collection of articles on dance and other performing arts.
Open access journal for the history of photography, film, television and multimedia.
A peer-reviewed publication of practice research in film and screen media.
Open access repository of research from this music and dance conservatoire.
Free, open access books in dance and theatre.