Westminster Higher Education Forum Keynote Seminar: Open access research and the future for academic publishing ... Timing: Morning, Tuesday, 5th February 2013 ... Venue: Central London

Use the link to access the program for the upcoming event.  “Government has largely accepted the recommendations in Dame Janet Finch's report Accessibility, sustainability, excellence: how to expand access to research publications, which included making publically-funded research available to read for free by 2014. Delegates at this timely seminar will discuss the practicalities of implementation as well as the potential impact of this on the academic publishing industry and the creation of sustainable open access models.   Bringing together key stakeholders - including academics and university leaders, the publishing industry, science-based businesses, research councils and other research-funding organisations - with policymakers, delegates will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by a move to 'gold' open access policies for publically-funded research, whereby authors pay a fee for publication. The wider impact of reforms to academic publishing will also be considered, including how the public's engagement with research can be improved, through, for example, the provision of walk-in access to journals in public libraries UK-wide. Delegates will also analyse whether or not domestic reforms could spur a move towards worldwide open access and the resulting effect this could have on the UK's competitive position in research and development.  We are delighted that Professor Martin Hall, Vice-Chancellor, University of Salford and Member, UK Open Access Implementation Group has agreed to deliver a keynote address at this seminar.   At this early stage Mark Hahnel, Founder, Figshare, Digital Science; Professor Tom McLeish, Pro Vice Chancellor - Research, Durham University; Dr Tony Peatfield, Director of Corporate Affairs, Medical Research Council; David Prosser, Executive Director, Research Libraries UK (RLUK); Dr Stuart Taylor, Head of Publishing, The Royal Society and Mark Thorley, Data Management Coordinator, Natural Environment Research Council have also agreed to speak at the seminar. Additional senior participants are being approached.”