Open access to scientific publishing

Report

'Accessibility, Sustainability, Excellence: How to expand access to research publications’, the report of the Working Group on Expanding Access to Published Research Findings*, which was chaired by Dame Janet Finch CBE.

The report of the Working Group chaired by Dame Janet Finch published on 18 June recommends a programme of action to enable more people to read and use the publications arising from research. Better, faster communication of research results will bring benefits for public services and for economic growth. It will also bring improved efficiency for researchers, and opportunities for more public engagement with research.

Science Minister David Willetts has since announced that he will accept the recommendations of the report making publicly funded research available to anyone for free. Further information is available in the Department of Business Innovation and Science's news story. 

Science Council member bodies' responses

Institute of Physics

Royal Society of Chemistry

Society of Biology

The House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee undertook an inquiry into Open Access in January 2013. A number of Science Coucnil member bodies submitted evidence to that inquiry.

British Psychological Society

Geological Society

Institute of Physics

London Mathematical Society

Royal Astronomical Society

Royal Statistical Society

Society of Biology

Society for General Microbiology