Pertinent Prior AmSci Topic Thread:
"New international study demonstrates worldwide readiness
for Open Access mandate" (June 23 2005)
http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Hypermail/Amsci/4604.html
Forwarded RCUK Press Release 28 June 2005
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/press/20050628openaccess.asp
RCUK Announces Proposed Position on Access to Research Outputs
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/access/index.asp
The principal investors in publicly-funded research in the UK have
responded to the debate on improved access to research outputs by
putting forward their emerging views on the issue.
The eight UK Research Councils, under the umbrella of Research
Councils UK (RCUK), have proposed to make it mandatory for research
papers arising from Council-funded work to be deposited in openly
available repositories at the earliest opportunity.
The Councils are seeking views on their position statement published
today (28 June 2005) on the RCUK website.
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/access/index.asp
RCUK spokesman, Professor Ian Diamond said that Councils have already
widely consulted the research community:
"We've held workshops, given evidence at Select Committees, met with
the publishers through a DTI working group and written out to all
UK Vice Chancellors to share our views as they emerge on this issue
and hear what others are saying," he said.
"The technology that has led to this debate is still evolving and
so is our position. We see today's statement as a starting point
and we're actively seeking the views of all parties involved in the
debate, such as the Learned Societies," he added.
RCUK's position would apply to new grants awarded after 1 October
this year. Given the long-term nature of most research, the impact
of the policy will not be felt immediately.
"The Research Councils are responsible for supporting and promoting
the activities of a research base that is vibrant, productive and
sustainable. We're therefore committed to ensuring the widest possible
dissemination of ideas and knowledge, effective quality assurance of
research and its results, cost effective use of public funds and the
long-term preservation of research outputs. Our emerging position on
the access issue should come as no surprise to those who understand
our remit," said Professor Diamond.
RCUK proposes:
* A requirement for all grants awarded from 1 October 2005 that, subject to
* copyright and licensing arrangements, a copy of any resultant published
* journal articles or conference proceedings should be deposited in an
* appropriate e-print repository (either institutional or subject-based)
* wherever such a repository is available to the award-holder. Deposit should
* take place at the earliest opportunity, wherever possible at or around the
* time of publication.
* Research Councils will also encourage, but not formally oblige,
* award-holders to deposit articles arising from grants awarded before 1
* October 2005.
* Councils will ensure that applicants for grants are allowed, subject to
* justification of cost-effectiveness, to include in the costing of their
* projects the predicted costs of any publication in author-pays journals.
The Research Councils argue that technology offers new possibilities to
communicate the results of research, through developments in electronic publishing
such as open access journals and e-print repositories.
Notes for editors
A full copy of RCUK's position statement on access to research outputs can be
found at
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/access/index.asp
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's eight Research
Councils. Through RCUK, the Councils work together to champion the research,
training and innovation they support. The Councils are independent
non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science Budget through the Office of
Science and Technology.
RCUK was created to increase the collective visibility, leadership and policy
influence of the Research Councils; to stimulate multi-disciplinary research that
encourages collaboration; to provide a single focus for collective dialogue with
stakeholders and to encourage greater harmonisation of internal operations.
The partnership is led by the RCUK Executive Group, which meets monthly and
comprises the chief executives of the eight Research Councils. The Group is
currently chaired by Professor Ian Diamond, chief executive of the Economic and
Social Research Council.
BBSRC
http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/ currently manages media relations for
Research Councils UK. Please contact Media Officer, Matt Goode 01793 413299
matt.goode_at_bbsrc.ac.uk
The eight UK Research Councils are:
* Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
* Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
* Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC);
* Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
* Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
* Medical Research Council (MRC);
* Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
* Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council (PPARC).
Received on Tue Jun 28 2005 - 14:19:14 BST