Opening Closed Doors: Supporting Undergraduate Scholars Through Open-Access Publishing

Presentation Type

Event

Relevant Website

https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/kjur/

Start Date

7-4-2026 2:20 PM

End Date

7-4-2026 2:50 PM

Description

Undergraduate publishing is often a closed door due to paywalls, publication fees, and limited access to mentorship. The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research (KJUR) uses an open-access framework to remove these barriers and expand equitable access to scholarly publishing for students at Kennesaw State University. KJUR is free to submit to and publish in, ensuring financial constraints do not prevent students from sharing their work. The journal is operated by paid and volunteer student editors, providing mentored, hands-on experience in academic publishing. Emphasizing open pedagogy, KJUR supports student authors through developmental editing and multi-semester collaboration, guiding them through peer review and revision processes. In partnership with the university library, KJUR also supports an annual undergraduate research award. This presentation highlights how open-access publishing can function as a long-term support system that promotes equity, professional development, and academic belonging for undergraduate scholars.

Author Bios

Amelia Baker is a graduate student in Public Administration at Kennesaw State University. She previously participated in the First Year Scholars Program and served over three years as a Research Peer Ambassador for the Research Peer Ambassador for the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Amelia now works on multiple research projects and is passionate about supporting undergraduate research students. 

Mikkel Cullen is a junior at Kennesaw State University majoring in Music Theory with a minor in Ancient and Modern Classics. They have completed multiple undergraduate research programs and presented at the Symposium of Student Scholars, NCUR, and international music conferences. Mikkel enjoys reading, gaming, and discovering new music. 

Kiara O’Neal is a junior majoring in Computer Science at Kennesaw State University. She has participated in the First Year Scholars and Sophomore Scholars Programs, presenting research at the Symposium of Student Scholars, NCUR, and IEEE SoutheastCon. Kiara also serves as a student assistant for the Office of Undergraduate Research. 

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
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Apr 7th, 2:20 PM Apr 7th, 2:50 PM

Opening Closed Doors: Supporting Undergraduate Scholars Through Open-Access Publishing

Undergraduate publishing is often a closed door due to paywalls, publication fees, and limited access to mentorship. The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research (KJUR) uses an open-access framework to remove these barriers and expand equitable access to scholarly publishing for students at Kennesaw State University. KJUR is free to submit to and publish in, ensuring financial constraints do not prevent students from sharing their work. The journal is operated by paid and volunteer student editors, providing mentored, hands-on experience in academic publishing. Emphasizing open pedagogy, KJUR supports student authors through developmental editing and multi-semester collaboration, guiding them through peer review and revision processes. In partnership with the university library, KJUR also supports an annual undergraduate research award. This presentation highlights how open-access publishing can function as a long-term support system that promotes equity, professional development, and academic belonging for undergraduate scholars.

https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/ato/2026ato/presentations/10