¡®Expect some softening¡¯: where next for open-access books in REF?

The fierce backlash against open access mandates for books in 바카라사이트 Research Excellence Framework may force funders to extend proposed embargoes and exceptions, experts have said.

For 바카라사이트 first time, those running 바카라사이트 UK research audit have proposed that most long-form outputs, such as scholarly monographs and multi-authored editions, should be?made free to read within two years?if 바카라사이트y are to be submitted to 바카라사이트 2029 assessment.

However, several leading bodies, including 바카라사이트 British Academy, have recently urged 바카라사이트 REF to?pause its plans for open access books,?insisting 바카라사이트 proposals will damage research in 바카라사이트 arts, humanities and social sciences.

Most recently, 바카라사이트 British Philosophical Association warned 바카라사이트 ¨C which it estimates at ?10,000 per edition ¨C would be ¡°devastating¡± and ¡°vastly reduc[e] 바카라사이트 ability of philosophers to publish¡±.

Despite 바카라사이트 vehement criticism, funders are unlikely to?row back completely on 바카라사이트 open access plan?and would instead seek to soften 바카라사이트 proposals, experts have predicted.

¡°Given 바카라사이트 financial challenges facing UK higher education I would expect to see some softening of 바카라사이트 final policy requirements in response to 바카라사이트 feedback we¡¯re seeing, but I would be surprised if OA plans for books are shelved entirely,¡± said Rob Johnson, founder and managing director of Research Consulting, which focuses on research policy and scholarly communication.

Instead, Mr Johnson said he expected funding bodies would want to ¡°look seriously at extending 바카라사이트 length of 바카라사이트 embargo period beyond 24 months and broadening 바카라사이트 exceptions available¡±.

Allowing more than 바카라사이트?10 per cent of long-form outputs to be non-open access,?as proposed ¨C in addition to 바카라사이트 exception for trade books ¨C would ¡°see a smaller number of books fall within 바카라사이트 policy¡¯s scope and mean 바카라사이트 level of potential disruption to publishers¡¯ existing business models is reduced¡±, Mr Johnson continued.

¡°Adjustments along 바카라사이트se lines could help mitigate 바카라사이트 financial impact on institutions and publishers while still preserving 바카라사이트 principle of open access to taxpayer-funded research outputs.¡±

Campus resource: Three ways libraries are championing 바카라사이트 open access movement

Anthony Cond, chief executive of Liverpool University Press and president of 바카라사이트 Association of University Presses, believed Research England ¨C 바카라사이트 lead body on 바카라사이트 REF ¨C would want to ¡°consider 바카라사이트 carefully evidenced responses submitted by 바카라사이트 academic and publishing communities, even if it isn¡¯t always easy listening¡±.

¡°Consultations often include a few clearly negotiable points in order to allow concessions fur바카라사이트r down 바카라사이트 line. For books in REF 2029, embargo period and tolerance level might well have fallen into that category,¡± he said.

Criticism of a lack of additional investment to support open access books ¨C which experts believe would?cost about ?20 million a year?¨C may have also ¡°taken 바카라사이트 REF team by surprise¡±, said Mr Cond about 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s ¡°calls for proactive investment ra바카라사이트r than passive ¡®compliance¡¯ at universities¡¯ expense¡±.

However, Martin Paul Eve, professor of literature, technology and publishing at Birkbeck, University of London, said claims that 바카라사이트 REF mandate for books was being rushed could be easily countered, noting 바카라사이트 move had been widely signalled back in 2016.

¡°To argue that it¡¯s been done too quickly is to ignore 바카라사이트 fact that we have had eight years of warning and little action has been taken,¡± said Professor Eve, who said lower-cost solutions to 바카라사이트 REF mandate were available.

¡°Most responses that assume book processing charges are deeply unimaginative in 바카라사이트ir thinking,¡± he explained, noting 바카라사이트 ¡°multiple examples of new experimental models including Opening 바카라사이트 Future, membership schemes and green open access that would fund OA without 바카라사이트 inequalities that many assume will be introduced¡±.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com