Open Access Webinar: 9 April 2026

Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service invites you to the 5th Open Access webinar in its #BeOpenAccessSmartWebiner series.

Facilitated by world renowned Open Science advocate, Prof. Geoffrey Stuart Boulton, this webinar will explore the evolving role of science in society and the importance of recognising science as a global public good. The session will reflect on how science has shaped the modern world and why well-informed citizens, open to new evidence and perspectives, are essential for a healthy democracy. The speaker will discuss the responsibility of publicly funded scientists to engage more actively with society and to ensure that scientific knowledge remains accessible and beneficial to all.

The webinar will also consider how the digital revolution has transformed the way information is shared and consumed. It will examine the challenges posed by current systems of scientific dissemination, the influence of commercial publishing, and the growing impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence. The speaker will propose ways in which universities and scientists can adapt to these changes, strengthen connections between science and society, and promote science as a public good that supports education, policy, and informed public discourse.

Date: 09 April 2026, 12:00 - 13:00 (SAST) | 13:00 - 14:00 (BST)

Title:  Science as a Public Good.

Speaker: Regius Professor of Geology Emeritus at Edinburgh University and a former Vice Principal, University of Edinburgh and International Science Council. Read more about Prof. Boulton.

Registration: Please click here to register online

Registered participants will receive a Teams meeting link and reminder emails.

For further information: Please contact Dr. Siviwe Bangani at [email protected] or tel: +27 21 808 4641.