Open access refers to the practice of making academic research and scholarly literature freely available online to the public, without any restrictions such as paywalls or subscription fees. This allows for greater visibility and accessibility of research findings, making it easier for researchers, students, and the general public to access and use this information. Open access publishing can take different forms, including open access journals, repositories, and preprint servers. Many funding agencies and institutions now require researchers to make their work available through open access in order to increase the impact and reach of their research. Overall, open access aims to remove barriers to accessing knowledge and promote the dissemination of research findings in a more equitable and inclusive manner.