(26 March 2015) Research Councils UK (RCUK) has today published the first independent review of the implementation of the RCUK Policy on Open Access.
Chaired by Professor Sir Bob Burgess, former University of Leicester Vice-Chancellor, the review received an excellent response from the research community, with over 85 submissions of written evidence highlighting how the policy is working in practice, with many positive responses about the principle of open access publishing. The independent review panel, made up of key experts across the disciplines in research, higher education, open access and publishing, also held oral evidence sessions with publishers and learned societies, plus visited institutions to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the policy in practice.
A number of recommendations have been made by the review panel to help improve some of the processes involved in implementation of the policy, specifically in relation to the impact of embargoes and the use of licences in particular disciplines; communication of the policy; the use and distribution of RCUK’s block grant for open access; as well as the broader impact of the policy on different disciplines.
You can access a copy of the review of the RCUK Policy on Open Access here.
Read the full announcement here.
