REF2029 and Open Access – what’s in, what’s out, and what comes next | Historical Transactions

"On 11 December 2024, the steering group for REF2029 published its final Open Access policy relating to research outputs submitted for assessment. The policy follows an initial set of proposals and an accompanying consultation phase over the summer. REF’s assessment of the consultation was also published on 11 December.

This post offers a brief summary of key responses to the consultation; decisions drawn from these; and the resulting terms and extent of the Open Access policy for REF2029.

The post closes with a note on REF plans to extend the Open Access mandate for future assessment exercises, and what form work to this end might take.

This summary is primarily intended for historians but we hope will also be of use to others publishing in the arts, humanities and social sciences...."