Why open access publishing matters for animal welfare science and how it improves policy, practice, and advocacy outcomes.
Open access publishing in animal welfare science removes the barrier between scientific knowledge and the practitioners, policymakers, and advocates who can act on it. Research published behind paywalls reaches fewer readers, has less policy impact, and is less frequently translated into practice. Funding bodies that require open access publication, and journals that reduce article processing charges, expand the real-world welfare impact of funded research.