Invisible in the Open: Why we need to reframe discourse on Infrastructure

In this talk, I highlight some key concerns with the growing "platformitization" of knowledge infrastructures that are controlled by a small number of commercial publishers. I argue that we have been too focused on the visible problems with Access (paying attention to paywalls and licensing barriers), and not enough attention to the hidden and invisible problem of the extreme power imbalance and asymmetry between the infrastructure providers and the users. In order to be intentional about building inclusive and equitable infrastructure, we must question the invisible and hidden elements that govern the current system.  I provide some examples of how to tackle such issues and call for collective actions and the alignment of core values as the starting point. In our search for community actions, we need to look to colleagues from the Global South, and the AmeliCA ( Open Knowledge for Latin America and the Global South) initiative is a shining example.