Highlighting open access outputs in School of Classics

Following collaboration between the Library repository team and School computing officers, the University of St Andrews School of Classics has developed new web pages highlighting content from Research@StAndrews:FullText.

Using RSS feeds and scripts to repurpose the data, the new Classics site provides a dynamic list of completed theses, with options to view abstracts and link to the full text. There are also handy links back to Library web pages with further information on finding theses and general advice on open access. (Note, not all theses are available to download immediately due to embargoes).

In addition there is a page that links to open access research publications by staff in Classics, all of which have full text available in Research@StAndrews:FullText

Our embedded usage stats show healthy downloads for some of these research outputs, for example 'Written Into the landscape : Latin epic and the landmarks of literary reception' (PhD thesis by James S McIntyre, 122 downloads) and 'Training athletes and explaining the past in Philostratus' Gymnasticus' (Book chapter by Dr Jason Konig, 70 downloads).

Link to School of Classics Postgraduate research and staff publications from http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/classics/research/

Evidence for BIS open access inquiry

The UK Government's Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) committee has published the written evidence for its inquiry into open access. The inquiry was announced at the end of Jan 2013.

98 pieces of evidence have been submitted by societies, publishers, researchers, institutions and other contributors such as Research Libraries UK and SPARC Europe. These deal with topics including use of Creative Commons licences, cost of APCs and the role of repositories.

The written evidence is available at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmbis/writev/openaccess/contents.htm

This follows a  similar inquiry heard by The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, and ahead of a request from RCUK for feedback on its revised open access policy. Despite various consultations, there are still some points that require clarification before the new policy comes into effect on 1 April 2013.

Revised RCUK open access policy

Research Councils UK (RCUK) has today published the latest version of its guidance for its revised Policy on Open Access, which comes into effect on 1 April 2013. The guidelines contain additonal information on how block grants are to be used to enable open access for RCUK-funded research outputs. The University of St Andrews will receive £203,593 in April to cover these costs.

RCUK are seeking feedback on the revised guidelines, to be submitted by 20 March 2013.

A finalised OA policy will be published with any further clarifications on the RCUK OA Policy page.

March for open access

The University of St Andrews has received funding from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to help with the transition to open access. During March 2013 funds will be available to cover 'Gold' open access costs, and to support 'Green' open access options.

To claim Article Processing Charges (APCs) from this 'BIS OA fund', or to find out how to make your article open access by depositing into our repository Research@StAndrews:FullText, contact open-access-support

See more information on our Library web pages on open access, including:

• Research funders: open access policies
• Open access FAQ
• Open access definitions (including 'green' and 'gold')

Proposals for post-2014 REF open access

The UK funding councils have issued proposals for open access to research outputs in the next Research Exellence Framework after 2014. The proposals recognise "the significant role of institutional repositories in increasing sustainable and convenient public access to research" and do not express a preference for 'gold' or 'green' routes. The proposals also cover funding body expectations, embargo periods, monograph publication and principles of open data.

Times Higher Education article: Funding councils publish REF open-access proposals

HEFCE's letter outlining these proposals (pdf)

HEFCE invites advice and feedback in a consultation process to run until 25 March 2013.

Landmark US directive on open access

On Friday 22 Feb 2013 the White House issued a directive which requires federal agencies with annual research and development budgets of $100 million or more to provide free online access to the results of that research, within a year of publication. It has been described as a watershed moment by Heather Joseph, Executive Director of SPARC and follows closely on the introduction of a new open access bill to the US Congress: Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act (FASTR).

These two important developments have been praised by open access advocates such as SPARC, Creative Commons and the Association of Research Libraries, and are compared here by Peter Suber. While the directive and FASTR differ on proposed embargo lengths, they both recommend deposit in a repository as the route to open access, rather than the 'Gold' route (publication in OA journals) favoured by the UK government.

The announcement and policy are available from the Obama Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The directive comes after years of campaigning for open access, and a We the People petition 'Require free access over the Internet to scientific journal articles arising from taxpayer-funded research' which received over 65000 signatures and this official response.

Ethnographic Encounters latest open access articles

We are pleased to announce that the open access journal Ethnographic Encounters, hosted by the University of St Andrews Library Journal Hosting Service, has released its latest issue. Now in its third volume, this journal has been developed by a team of enthusiastic and talented student Editors under the leadership of Dr Craig Lind.

Ethnographic Encounters is a platform for the work of the University of St Andrews undergraduate Social Anthropology students. The e-journal presents a valuable resource for future students to draw on the experience and insights of their predecessors, and offers a means for Social Anthropology students throughout the world to engage with their peers in St Andrews.

Congratulations to outgoing Editor Francesca Vaghi as she hands on the reins to a new Editorial Team.