(27 Jun 2025) Annual Reviews has announced it has signed an agreement with Wiley that enables Knowledge Unlatched (KU) – most recently owned and operated by Wiley – to move to a new home within the Annual Reviews organization.
The move supports one of the most recognised initiatives in open access publishing and marks KU’s return to nonprofit stewardship.
Founded in 2012 by publishing innovator Frances Pinter, KU pioneered a crowdfunding model that enables libraries worldwide to support the open access publication of scholarly books and journals. Its programs have made thousands of titles freely available to readers everywhere, demonstrating the power of collective action to advance open scholarship.
“Knowledge Unlatched has played a formative role in showing that open access for books and monographs is possible at scale,” said Richard Gallagher, President and Editor-in-Chief of Annual Reviews. “We’re excited to build on this legacy. KU will remain at the forefront of open access book publishing, help more journal publishers adopt Subscribe to Open, and take an active role in coordinating and amplifying Diamond Open Access efforts worldwide.”
The KU team and operations are expected to remain in place, ensuring continuity for library partners and publishers. KU will retain its identity and ongoing programs, ensuring long-term stability and gaining the opportunity to explore new directions. The transaction with Wiley and Annual Reviews for KU is expected to close by late summer, subject to certain closing conditions being satisfied.
The press release is here.
