Publicly funded science trapped in private profit: systemic barriers to open knowledge
Original framing: “Making scientific knowledge free for all” — Phys.org
The enclosure of scientific knowledge mirrors historical patterns of intellectual property enclosure, such as the 17th-century English Statute of Monopolies, which shifted knowledge from public to private control. These precedents show how economic interests can shape knowledge access over time.
The current scientific publishing model is a systemic failure that prioritizes private profit over public knowledge.
By embedding open-access mandates, developing community-led publishing platforms, and integrating diverse epistemologies, we can create a more equitable and inclusive system. Historical precedents show that knowledge can be both shared and innovative without privatization. Indigenous and non-Western models offer valuable insights into how knowledge can be treated as a collective good rather than a commodity. Institutional reform and funding reallocation are essential to breaking the cycle of enclosure and ensuring that science serves the global public interest.