Open Access PolicyAppendix A

1Introduction

As illustrated by the Medium Term Strategy, the University of Central Lancashire is committed to the creation, diffusion, application, dissemination and curation of knowledge, to research with world-leading impact, innovative learning and to valuable engagement with industry and communities. UCLan supports the principles of Open Access and is committed to increasing the visibility, use and impact of UCLan researchas rapidly and effectively as practicable.

The University acknowledges that the current period is one of considerable debate and change in open access and subscription based publishing. It will therefore adopt a flexible, and where possible, sustainable approach to the implementation of this policy.

2Scope

This Policy applies to all staff, researchers and students and to all research outputs which derive from their employment by the University, from research grants awarded to the University or otherwise from the use of University resources and facilities. It applies to co-authored publications as well as to single authored publications.

This policy does not apply to Open Education Resources and Open Data. These will be considered separately.

3Policy

  • All research output since Jan 2008 (or start of employment with UCLan - whichever is the later) must be deposited in in the University of Central Lancashire Repository (CLoK) at the latest upon publication. In all cases, this must include a bibliographic record and an appropriate version of the full-text in line with publisher and funder self-archiving options.
  • All research output produced whilst at UCLan should be made available in an Open Access format upon publication where practicabletaking into account publishing restrictions, protection of IPR and confidentiality.
  • Researchers are encouraged to deposit copies of earlier works produced before employment at UCLan on the Institutional Repository as this will assist the establishment of impact.
  • That individual staff members are responsible for providing and maintaining details of their publications in the University Repository so as to support their own compliance with the University Open Access Policy.

4Compliance

The University recognises that there are different forms of Open Access available and promotes compliance with this policy through:

  • Increased and expanded use of the Institutional Repository.

And

  • Publishing within an open access or “hybrid” subscription journal and paying the “Article Processing Charge” (APC) required to ensure that the article is available to all.
  • Publishing in a free open access journal or equivalent entity
  • Increased use of Open Access Subject Repositories

5Implementation

To support the above the University will:

  • Promote the use of the Institutional Repository
  • Promote awareness of the open access agenda, requirements and this policy
  • Establish a budget for payment of Article Processing Charges and pilot a procedure for determining how to allocate this funding.
  • Develop a long-term sustainable storage policy for Open Access items within the repository.
  • Monitor compliance
  • Explore the possibility of supporting in house open access journals

To support the above research output authors:

  • Are required to familiarise themselves and comply with Funder publishing requirements
  • Are required to familiarise themselves and comply with copyright, publisher, Data protection, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), confidentiality and Freedom of Information requirements.
  • Are to consider publishers open access policies in determining where to publish to ensure that research output is made available in an Open Access format as soon as practicably possible
  • Are encouraged to retain ownership of the copyright of published papers wherever possible.
  • Are encouraged to request APC funding in grants wherever possible

6Benefits to Researchers of Open Access

  • To share the results of research as widely and quickly as possible
  • To give access to research without restrictions of price or permissions
  • To assist multi-disciplinary research
  • To create new opportunities for both inter-institutional and inter-sectoral collaboration
  • To increase international visibility and impact
  • To meet the grant conditions of funding bodies
  • To align with government policy and enhance preparation for research outputs for submission to the post 2014 REF.

7Responsibilities

  • The University Director of Research is responsible for development and updating the Open Access Policy. The Policy is to be ratified by a Committee of Academic Board (or Academic Board?)
  • The Director of LIS is responsible for maintenance and promotion of the Institutional Repository (CLoK)
  • The Director of LIS is responsible for providing advice on publisher and copyright requirements
  • The Open Access Steering Group is responsible for the development and maintenance of procedures to operate this policy
  • Individual staff members are responsible for ensuring their own compliance with the UCLan policy
  • Deans are responsible for monitoring compliance of this policy through the appraisal process.

8Review Date

This policy will be reviewed in June 2014.