Diversity, sustainability and quality must be the hallmarks of academic publishing in Europe
The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities has published a statement speaking out for Open Access. The statement was released on 17 May 2022, with a view to the the June Competitiveness Council, where ministers will adopt conclusions on research assessment and implementation of Open Science policies. The Guild urges the member states to ensure that Open Access serves science, not publishers.
While research excellence requires free flow of knowledge, some Open Access strategies and models increase the financial burden on research institutions. The Guild calls for greater transparency on the publication costs for Open Access journals, and fair and transparent contractual arrangements with publishers. The Guild calls for the member states to support the development and uptake of Diamond Open Access journals and platforms which consist often of community-driven, and academic-led and owned publishing initiatives. Unlike other Open Access models, Diamond Open Access journals and platforms do not charge any fees from the authors or readers. The Guild endorses the Action Plan for Diamond Open Access which opens a necessary dialogue on how to align and develop common resources to increase efficiency and quality standards of Diamond Open Access journals and platforms.
Source: ERA Portal Austria