Open Access
- Departments
- Policy, Publishing
- Programme status
- Ongoing
- Programmes
- Research and Innovation
In the last decade, open access has become an increasingly important feature of academic dissemination, its evolution associated with developments both technical and in terms of funder policy.
The British Academy supports the principle of open access, recognising the valuable role it can play in broadening the readership of academic publications – so long as the delivery of open access is sustainable for the long term and does not jeopardise the academic dissemination ecosystem.
In respect of open access, the British Academy has roles as a funder of research, as a publisher, and as a policy voice for the SHAPE disciplines across higher education and research.
The British Academy as funder
The British Academy has a range of schemes for supporting research in the SHAPE disciplines.
As a funder, the Academy does not currently stipulate that the outputs of the research that we fund be disseminated as open access. Across our funding schemes, open access fees – such as Article Processing Charges (APCs) and Book Processing Charges (BPCs) – cannot currently be included in the funding application as an eligible expense.
The British Academy as publisher
The British Academy publishes the following as immediate open access, funded through the Academy’s own resources (ie Diamond Open Access):
- Journal of the British Academy, showcasing work by those who have been supported through any of the British Academy’s programmes and activities, and by Fellows of the British Academy;
- British Academy Monographs, publishing work by British Academy-supported early career researchers;
- Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the British Academy, collectively making up a chapter in the intellectual history of Britain.
The Proceedings of the British Academy series adopts a Green open access model, with authors allowed to make available the ‘author accepted manuscript’ version of their chapters after a 12 months embargo. The version of record of whole volumes/individual chapters can be made available OA immediately if volume editors/authors are able to source open access fees.
The British Academy is also committed to enabling various parts of its older published content to be made freely available.
The British Academy as policy voice
The British Academy continues to contribute to debates on open access on behalf of the disciplines it represents. It is regularly consulted by funding and policy-making bodies, but also plays a convening role to promote dialogue on the issues across sectors and stakeholders.
Outputs include responses to consultations on developments in open access policy both in the UK and internationally, as well as articles and explainers reflecting on the challenges of open access publication for the humanities and social sciences.
Open Access and the REF - A British Academy Position Paper
The British Academy has published a complete statement of our views on open access and the REF (Research Excellence Framework). It follows the response to the REF 2029 Open Access consultation, with additional arguments, evidence and suggestions for future constructive dialogue.
Publications
Open Access and Book Chapters
This report defines what is meant by ‘book chapter’, examines the book chapter’s role within the research and publication profiles of different academic disciplines, and includes a quantitative analysis drawing on data about projects funded by UKRI Research Councils and on returns to REF 2014.
A commentary by the British Academy on cOAlition S’s final version of Plan S
At the end of May 2019, cOAlition S issued a second, final version of Plan S. We earlier commented on the first version of Plan S; here we assess its successor, finding that many of our initial criticisms remain.
A commentary from the British Academy on ‘Guidance on the Implementation of Plan S’
The British Academy comments on six main issues regarding the implications of Plan S.
Science Europe’s Plan S: making it work for all researchers
This document comments on some of the principles of Plan S, and identifies some ambiguities and other problems. With these resolved, the paper says, Plan S will have a greater chance of working satisfactorily.
Open access and monographs: Where are we now?
The issues which the Academy believes need to be considered regarding monographs – particularly those concerning money, exceptions, timing, and transparency – are laid out in the following paper.
Open Access Journals in Humanities and Social Science
The British Academy presents a report investigating some of the issues involved in open access publishing, which seeks to examine various practical issues and difficulties that may arise, using the example of twelve disciplines across the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS).
Debating Open Access
A collection of eight articles by leading academics and publishers reflecting on the challenges of open access publication for the humanities and social sciences.
Consultation responses
Media
Open Access Advisory Group
The Open Access Advisory Group provides advice and strategic oversight of the Academy’s policies, procedures and positions on the issue of open access. It ensures that the overall position of the Academy is outward facing and coordinated across policy, publishing and funder issues, and championing ways to make open access work for the SHAPE disciplines by providing sector leadership. The group is chaired by the Vice-President (Publishing and Conferences), Professor Lindsay Farmer FBA and includes both Fellows and external stakeholders amongst its members.
The secretary for this group is Dr Joanna Thornborough, Senior Policy Advisor (HE & Research Policy), at the British Academy.
Membership
Professor Lindsay Farmer FBA (Chair), Vice-President, Publishing and Conferences
Professor Margot Finn FBA, University College London
Richard Fisher, Former Managing Director, Cambridge University Press and VP of the Royal Historical Society
Professor Simon Green, Aston University
Professor Jane Ohlmeyer FBA, Trinity College Dublin
Dr Catherine Souch, Head of Research and Higher Education, Royal Geographical Society
Professor Chris Wickham FBA, University of Oxford