# OpenAlex

> open catalog of scholarly papers, authors, institutions, venues, and concepts

**Wikidata**: [Q107507571](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107507571)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenAlex)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/openalex

## Summary
OpenAlex is an open catalog of scholarly papers, authors, institutions, venues, and concepts, launched in 2022 as a replacement for the Microsoft Academic Graph. It provides a free, comprehensive, and up-to-date database of academic research, accessible via a website and API.

## Key Facts
- Launched on January 3, 2022, as a successor to the Microsoft Academic Graph
- Funded by the Arcadia Fund and developed by OurResearch
- Operates as a bibliographic database, website, and open dataset
- Named after the Library of Alexandria, symbolizing its role as a scholarly resource
- Built using Python and offers a RESTful API at [api.openalex.org](https://api.openalex.org)
- Hosted in the United States and Canada
- Includes metadata for scholarly papers, authors, institutions, venues, and concepts
- Active on Twitter (@openalex_org) and Mastodon (@OpenAlex@mastodon.social)

## FAQs
### Q: What is OpenAlex, and why was it created?
A: OpenAlex is an open catalog of scholarly research, launched in 2022 to replace the Microsoft Academic Graph. It was created to provide a free, comprehensive, and up-to-date database of academic research, accessible to all.

### Q: How does OpenAlex differ from the Microsoft Academic Graph?
A: OpenAlex was developed as a direct replacement for the Microsoft Academic Graph, offering improved accessibility, open licensing, and a more modern infrastructure. It aims to serve as a central resource for scholarly research data.

### Q: Who funds and operates OpenAlex?
A: OpenAlex is funded by the Arcadia Fund and operated by OurResearch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to open research infrastructure.

### Q: How can I access OpenAlex’s data?
A: OpenAlex provides access to its data through a website ([openalex.org](https://openalex.org)) and a RESTful API ([api.openalex.org](https://api.openalex.org)), making it easy to search and retrieve scholarly information.

### Q: What types of data does OpenAlex include?
A: OpenAlex includes metadata for scholarly papers, authors, institutions, venues, and concepts, covering a wide range of academic research.

## Why It Matters
OpenAlex plays a crucial role in the academic community by providing a free, open, and comprehensive database of scholarly research. Unlike proprietary alternatives, it ensures that research data is accessible to all, fostering transparency and collaboration. By replacing the Microsoft Academic Graph, OpenAlex addresses the limitations of previous scholarly databases, offering improved functionality and modern infrastructure. Its development was supported by the Arcadia Fund, highlighting the importance of open research in advancing knowledge. As a bibliographic database and open dataset, OpenAlex serves as a central resource for researchers, institutions, and the public, enabling better discovery and analysis of academic work.

## Notable For
- First open successor to the Microsoft Academic Graph, launched in 2022
- Named after the Library of Alexandria, symbolizing its role as a scholarly resource
- Built using Python and offers a RESTful API for easy data access
- Hosted in the United States and Canada, ensuring global accessibility
- Includes metadata for scholarly papers, authors, institutions, venues, and concepts
- Active on social media, with a growing following on Twitter and Mastodon

## Body
### Overview
OpenAlex is an open catalog of scholarly research, launched on January 3, 2022, as a replacement for the Microsoft Academic Graph. It was developed by OurResearch, a nonprofit organization, and funded by the Arcadia Fund. The project was announced on May 8, 2021, and officially launched in 2022.

### Development and Funding
OpenAlex was created to address the limitations of the Microsoft Academic Graph, which was proprietary and lacked comprehensive coverage. The project was funded by the Arcadia Fund, which recognized the need for an open, accessible alternative. OurResearch, a nonprofit dedicated to open research infrastructure, operated the project.

### Data and Accessibility
OpenAlex includes metadata for scholarly papers, authors, institutions, venues, and concepts. It is accessible through a website ([openalex.org](https://openalex.org)) and a RESTful API ([api.openalex.org](https://api.openalex.org)), making it easy for researchers and the public to search and retrieve academic information. The data is available in English and other languages, ensuring global accessibility.

### Technical Infrastructure
OpenAlex was built using Python, a general-purpose programming language, and offers a RESTful API for programmatic access. The project is hosted in the United States and Canada, ensuring reliable and accessible service. The API is documented and maintained to support developers and researchers.

### Social Media Presence
OpenAlex is active on social media, with a Twitter account (@openalex_org) and a Mastodon account (@OpenAlex@mastodon.social). The Twitter account was created on June 3, 2021, and has since grown to over 1,900 followers. The Mastodon account has also gained a following, with over 900 followers as of April 2024.

### Recognition and Impact
OpenAlex has been recognized as a promising alternative to the Microsoft Academic Graph and a valuable resource for the academic community. It has been described in the Open Science Thesaurus and has been featured in discussions about open research infrastructure. The project has also been highlighted in articles and blog posts, demonstrating its significance in the field.

## References

1. [About | OpenAlex](https://openalex.org/about)
2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240422175402/https://infrafinder.investinopen.org/solutions/openalex)
3. [Source](https://help.openalex.org/about-us)
4. [Source](https://library.smu.edu.sg/topics-insights/openalex-promising-alternative-microsoft-academic-graph)
5. [Source](https://blog.ourresearch.org/openalex-launch/)
6. [Source](http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/TSO-Z8T3VMHD-7)
7. [OpenAlex (@OpenAlex_org) / Twitter](https://twitter.com/openalex_org)
8. [Source](https://docs.openalex.org/api)
9. [Source](https://blog.ourresearch.org/were-building-a-replacement-for-microsoft-academic-graph/)
10. [Source](https://blog.ourresearch.org/arcadia-2021-grant/)