LERU calls for fundamental change to the financial model behind journal publishing

LERU universities embrace Open Access and endorse the European Commission’s advocacy of open, wide dissemination of research outputs in its Science 2.0 (Open Science) agenda.Across Europe, universities are making progress in delivering on this objective. A number of challenges remain. One of these is the ‘Total Cost of Ownership’, which includes both subscription costs paid by institutions and APCs (Article Processing Charges) for publishing in hybrid journals with an Open Access option paid by their staff members and researchers. This dual method of charging may mean that universities end up paying twice for access to the same material. The challenge is particularly acute in countries such as the UK and the Netherlands, which have strong national policies on Gold Open Access. The impact of any double payment is felt particularly in research-intensive universities in LERU, since these universities produce significant numbers of research outputs. Read more...