From vision to action: Catalyzing the U.S. Repository Network

Abstract

Open infrastructure is foundational to the conduct of open research, and repositories are a key component of open research infrastructure, providing an avenue for the open dissemination of research outputs. Repositories also play a crucial role in increasing equity of access and supporting compliance with funder policies for open access. The U.S. Repository Network (USRN) seeks to support the nation’s open research repositories in cementing their position as an essential component of our national research infrastructure.

In summer 2021, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) announced its partnership with the Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR) to catalyze a US repository network and its intention to hire a visiting program officer to lead that work. I was lucky enough to secure that role and began work in September 2021.