Pathfinder Update 2 | Optimising resources to develop a strategic approach to Open Access

"Time has flown by since our last update, and the open access landscape has moved on too! We’re now just over a year away from the date at which HEFCE’s policy on open access in the next REF comes into force (1st April 2016). Meanwhile, RCUK have been monitoring compliance with their own OA policy and how institutions have spent any block grants they were given. And scholarly publishing has shifted to some extent in response, with recent related announcements from Elsevier, Nature Publishing Group and Royal Society Journals on giving ‘free’ (though not necessarily open or long-term) access to content. Both Northumbria and Sunderland have been busy responding to these developments with a mixture of analysis, advocacy, awareness raising, training and technical work behind the scenes. This activity has both informed and been informed by our continued participation in the Jisc Pathfinder programme ..."