Recording of session from Open Access Week 2023: Supporting the transformation of academic publishing: The Library Open Scholarship Fund

Recording of the following session which took place on 27 October 2023 as part of Open Access Week at the University of Sheffield:

Supporting the transformation of academic publishing: The Library Open Scholarship Fund

Speakers (all from University of Sheffield):

Peter Barr, Head of Content & Collections

Arantza Barrutia, National Fairground and Circus Archive Collections Manager

Helen Moore, Faculty Librarian for Engineering and Science

Outline:

The University Library expresses a desire in its Comprehensive Content Strategy to effect a transformation in academic publishing and scholarly communication. To support this, it established its Open Scholarship Fund in 2021.

Much of the conversation around the transition to Open Access publishing has centred on large 'read-and-publish' deals signed with major academic publishers. As they look to incorporate existing library subscription spend, they have also had a significant effect on academic library budgets. However, their role in bringing about a true transformation in publishing has been pragmatic, limited and much criticised. The Open Scholarship Fund is the Library's attempt to go beyond this and is used to support innovative, community-owned and scholar-led publishing initiatives alongside local projects aimed at opening up research and educational practice.