Students as Scholars – Participation in Open Research and Publishing Practices: The Case of the Communications Undergraduate Journal at Dublin City University

Presenters: Alexander Kouker, Ronan Cox, Dr Jim Rogers

Alex is the Humanities & Social Sciences Librarian at Dublin City University Library; Ronan is the Digital Services Librarian at Dublin City University Library; Jim is Associate Professor of Communications and Chair of PhD Studies at the School of Communications, Dublin City University

Abstract

The idea that the concepts and practices of open research and publishing are suitable for development at all educational stages is not a new one. However, while academic libraries do address the concepts and importance of open practices at undergraduate level, the challenge remains to transfer this teaching from the abstract into behaviours with tangible outcomes.

The Council on Undergraduate Research lists various successful journals from around the world that showcase the output of students as creators of information. Open research and pedagogical practice provide students with an opportunity to thoroughly connect with their area of interest, encourages critical reasoning and invites debate about developments in their field of inquiry.

A mechanism for dissemination of undergraduate research to students, end users of research and the wider public, the CUJ (cujournal.ie) incentivises students to adopt the role of scholars and engage in open research practice through a clear workflow, fostering a highly collaborative culture among students and faculty from the School of Communications and DCU Library.

In our presentation, we will discuss the process of developing library-faculty partnerships to enhance pedagogical facilitation among undergraduate students, and the virtues of such journals and how they can meaningfully support and inspire a transition to open pedagogy.