Government to open up publicly funded research

Academics, businesses and the public will have access to publicly funded scientific research, after the UK Government accepted the recommendations in a report on open access by Dame Janet Finch.

By 2014, all research papers describing studies that have been funded by UK taxpayers will be immediately available to read online.

Most formally published research is currently only available behind restricted paywalls. Reforms will see publications opened up to a greater audience, providing more opportunities for r&d across a range of sectors.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: ‘Removing paywalls that surround taxpayer-funded research will have real economic and social benefits. It will allow academics and businesses to develop and commercialise their research more easily and herald a new era of academic discovery.’

The Government recommends:

• Moving to deliver open access through a ‘gold’ model, where ‘article-processing charges’ are paid upfront to cover the cost of publication.
• Introducing walk-in rights for the general public, so they can have free access to global research publications owned by members of the UK Publishers’ Association via public libraries.
• Extending the licensing of access enjoyed by universities to high technology businesses for a modest charge.

The recommendations have been welcomed by Research Councils UK and Funding Councils, who have also set out their plans for open access.

Professor Doug Kell, RCUK Champion for Research and Information Management said: ‘Widening access to the outputs of research currently published in journals has the potential to contribute substantially to furthering the progress of scientific and other research, ensuring that the UK continues to be a world leader in these fields.’