February 2013
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Delegates at this timely seminar discussed the practicalities of implementation of Dame Janet Finch’s report Accessibility, sustainability, excellence: how to expand access to research publications, which included making publically-funded research available to read for free by 2014, as well as the potential impact of this on the academic publishing industry and the creation of sustainable open access models.
Bringing together key stakeholders - including academics and university leaders, the publishing industry, science-based businesses, research councils and other research-funding organisations - with policymakers, this seminar enabled delegates to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by a move to 'gold' open access policies for publically-funded research, whereby authors pay a fee for publication. The wider impact of reforms to academic publishing was also considered, including how the public's engagement with research can be improved, through, for example, the provision of walk-in access to journals in public libraries UK-wide. Delegates also analysed whether or not domestic reforms could spur a move towards worldwide open access and the resulting effect this could have on the UK's competitive position in research and development.