The Public Knowledge Project is a community-based research initiative to improve the quality of scholarly communication. It is dependent upon the volunteer efforts of hundreds of supporters from around the world. If you have benefited from the work of our community, contact Kevin to find out about getting involved.

If you've ever used our software, you can help out.

• download and use our software - remember, our software is always free
• share your experiences with your colleagues
• inform your society or association of our work
• discuss the benefits of open access
• send us your requests for enhancements

If you have experience with PHP programming, we could use your expertise. Contact Alec to find out more.

• build plugins
• develop enhancements
• fix bugs
• participate on the support forum by answering questions or sharing your own solutions

Whether you are a software developer, an interface design expert, or a software user, we need your eyes on our software.

• perpetual testing team (contact Kevin to join)
• testing pre-releases
• look for existing problems or possible improvements

Funding agencies can help you finance your customization requirements for PKP software. Public agencies may fund improvements that benefit not only the applicant but also for their larger target community. Contributions to open source projects make this easy: We can help you define customizations that will benefit you and the entire PKP community. We can also create a formal bilateral agreement with PKP, if that is helpful for your application.

Examples of funding agencies in different countries are:

In the UK: JISC supports UK colleges and universities in the innovative use of digital technologies. It provides funding for UK HE and FE institutions.

In Germany: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) funds expenses arising from the creation, expansion, transformation and operation of scholarly electronic publications.

Enhancing the graphic design and usability of our software and communications is a key goal for the project.

• software themes
• web design
• brochures and promotional materials
• interface usability

We need wordsmiths to contribute to our growing body of written documentation, either by writing new material or suggesting improvements to what already exists.

• articles
• documentation
• guides
• screencasts

Help us get the word out! We don't advertise, so we depend on word of mouth. Add your voice.

• event organizing
• project promotion
• make presentations about your experiences
• blog about us

As the project grows internationally, local support groups are one way to build community. All it takes is one person to play a critical leadership role. Contact Kevin to find others in your area using our software.

• form a local PKP users group
• share experiences
• pool resources for a translation or the development of enhancements

Our software has been translated into multiple languages, vastly expanding the ability of the project to help others around the world. We are always interested in seeing new translations developed, and in having the existing translations maintained and kept up to date with new software releases. Contact Kevin to find out more.

• new software translations
• maintain existing translations
• documentation translation

See the Languages pages for OJS and OCS for details.

Librarians have a key role to play in improving the quality of scholarly communication. Working with the Public Knowledge Project can provide a new and innovative way to develop relationships with your faculty.

• tell your faculty about the project
• help them get indexed
• discuss the benefits of open access
• host their journals and conferences
• share your experiences