Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidate Ng Da Xuan, from James Cook University (JCU) in Singapore, clinched the “Highly Commended” certificate in JCU’s inaugural “HDR Open Access Advocate” competition this year.

The competition was held in conjunction with Open Access Week 2020, organised by the JCU Library and Information Services and the Graduate Research School. Participants were tasked with crafting a short communication – in any form, from tweet to haiku to multimedia video – that answers the question, “Why I support Open Access in research”.

In his entry, Da Xuan highlighted the benefits of open access for researcher and non-researcher alike – as well as the benefits of open access for individuals across age, education level, and discipline – saying, “I would like to see open access in research not only be made free for readers, but also free for researchers who are publishing their research, so that the funds that are not used for publishing, can be allocated to research training, education, and research infrastructure.”

He also mentions that “People working for the betterment of humanity should be supported with resources, and not discriminated against.”

Describing his motivation to enter the competition, Da Xuan shared, “I was facing difficulty accessing certain articles myself when I first came across the HDR Open Access Advocate competition. So, I empathised with others who are having difficulty gaining access to valuable scientific evidence simply due to their lack of resources.”

In the meantime, Da Xuan is currently conducting research in the area of personality and prejudice, with particular interest in finding out how openness to experience facets relate to prejudice and tolerance attitudes.

View Ng Da Xuan’s full entry for the HDR Open Access Advocate competition 2020.

Find out more about our Higher Degrees by Research courses at James Cook University in Singapore.

Contacts

Dr Denise Dillon [email protected]
Media: Pinky Sibal [email protected]