As it’s Open Access Week we’re providing an update on the work of the RLUK Open Access Publisher Processes (OAPP) group.

The group formed in 2013/14, when publishers were developing new processes and deals associated with Gold Open Access (OA), and were approaching institutions with large RCUK block grants to provide feedback on proposals and existing practices. It was agreed that a RLUK group focussing on the challenges, barriers and other issues in relation to publisher OA practice and processes would complement the work of the RLUK Ethical and Effective Publishing Group.

The group’s objectives are:

  • To identify, share and understand the challenges, barriers and other issues involved in Open Access publishing where these relate to publisher processes and practices.
  • To address relevant challenges as defined by Reshaping Scholarship, the RLUK Strategy 2018-21.
  • To work collectively and with publishers to resolve problems, improve processes and achieve a better understanding on both sides of how best to support our researchers and funders.
  • To inform, and receive direction from, the RLUK Board.

Since its formation the group has met with a number of publishers, large and small, to share experiences, advise and provide feedback on Gold Open Access workflows and systems. This work is an ongoing challenge but the group has made valuable contributions to developments in this area. Although the majority of group members are from RLUK institutions we are keen to ensure that the wider community is also represented and current membership of the group includes colleagues from Jisc and the University of Bath.

We are currently inviting nominations to fill one vacancy on the group and we welcome expressions of interest from colleagues working in RLUK member institutions to the group’s interim chair, Helen Dobson, Scholarly Communication Manager at the University of Manchester.

Further details about the activities of the group can be found on the RLUK OAPP Group page.