Diamond Open Access as a Principal Component of FAIR Mathematics

This is a presentation given at the Vom Beweis zum Bibliotheksregal 2026 workshop in Leipzig on 17 March 2026.Abstract: The FAIR principles are reshaping the curation and reuse of mathematical research data, software and publications, both within initiatives like MaRDI and far beyond. To fully leverage their potential, however, the specific challenges of mathematical communication - ranging from rendering and indexing complex notation to interlinking with research software - require equally robust publishing solutions. This talk argues that Diamond Open Access, where neither authors nor readers pay for literature access, is not merely an economic alternative but a fundamental component of addressing these challenges at the intersection of mathematical content and technology. We will explore how community-governed Diamond models (e.g., university presses, overlay journals) are uniquely positioned to let mathematical needs drive technical solutions. Unlike commercial workflows, these platforms can prioritize the integrity of mathematical content, e.g. by preserving the semantic fidelity of formulas throughout publishing workflows, enabling support for LEAN-style formalizations and more actively facilitating software discovery. Drawing on developments from zbMATH Open as well as the SeDOA and find.software projects, this session outlines actionable strategies for librarians to cultivate and integrate these Diamond ecosystems into their workflows. We conclude with a practical outlook on how Diamond infrastructures can and do serve as a key vehicle for seamlessly connecting publications with FAIR data, ensuring that the “math” in the metadata remains as usable and discoverable as the article itself.