Really powerful talks at #UKSGWebinar 'The Open-Access-AI Conundrum does free to read mean free to train'
- The lack of accurate source IDing isn't just an attribution failure it is an injustice that affects all structures around credible information/silences already marginalised voice etc
Looking forward to this #UKSGwebinar on Open Access and AI "does free to read mean free to train?" with Caroline Ball (@heroicendeavour.bsky.social), Stephanie Decker, & Rob Johnson (@rschrobuk.bsky.social)
#openaccess
Nice to hear our ‘New Historical Perspectives’ series mentioned by Helen Dobson @jisc.bsky.social in the #UKSGWebinar today on ‘Society Publishing at a Crossroads’. Published with @royalhistsoc.bsky.social, its inclusion in Jisc’s OACF funding scheme has meant 9 additional books will publish #OA 👏
Next Generation #OA requirements from @jisc.bsky.social
www.jisc.ac.uk/next-generat...
Supporting library-publisher negotiations to:
- Address financial pressures; secure affordable agreements
- Advance open research; transition to non-volume-based models
- Promote equity & inclusivity
#UKSGWebinar
Value goes beyond usage and citations; let's go beyond metrics.
Society publishers are mission driven and governed by the specialist research communities that publish with and benefit from publishing trusted resources of high quality research. #UKSGWebinar
Joining @uksg.bsky.social for this #UKSGWebinar on "Rethinking Value in Academic Publishing"
What gives value?
#bibliodiversity #openness #transparency #governance #peerreview #expertise #funding #timeliness
Library positioning is also a strength - direct contact with authors and (potentially/in some cases) higher up the university chain. Can advocate in both directions.
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Elaine argues this is a FALSE ECONOMY: short-term gain for long-term pain.
"We have to advocate that these models and presses are as much a priority as any other library expenditure if we want to see change."
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Elaine promises to end with a BIG OPINION:
Libraries can feel like their hands are tied. Elaine acknowledges challenges & pressures, BUT: what are library sources of power and influence? How can they bring about change?
One way: BUDGETS
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Lancaster don't want to work on their own, but to work with fellow institutions to bring about culture change within the academic publishing world [my note: AMBITION!]
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Not easy to solve, but here are some things Lancaster are working on:
- To support ECRs: portal.lancaster.ac.uk/ask/study/li...
- Targeting more secure/senior academics: trying to advocate to them about the value of these smaller presses, looking for influential 'champions'
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Elaine argues that publishers play an important function, but we are currently paying for PRESTIGE rather than the SERVICE THEY PROVIDE. This is a big problem!
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Elaine argues that more prestigious presses charge higher fees, knowing that demand will always be there, and institutions that can afford it will pay: prestige breeds prestige! In this way we end up with a two-tier system: thoroughly unethical.
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Elaine points out that this also makes investment in these models somewhat speculative -- speculation is risk.
And these models tend to be used by smaller presses, not always as favoured by authors themselves (a generalisation, but there is truth in it!)
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
So this brings us to alternative funding models - from a library funding perspective, this is very attractive:
- It's volume-independent: fixed and predictable costs
- More equitable: no author fees
- BUT volume-independence can make it difficult to make the case for funding
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Elaine points out that books aren't just 'long journal articles' -- editorial input is crucial and timescales are often very long. Is rights retention even possible for books?
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Elaine explains that gold tends to involve fees (not always but often) -- essentially unsustainable at any scale for Lancaster, even in good times.
Reflects on Green OA -- underdiscussed for books but it is a low-cost option (but the least preferred choice)
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Elaine Sykes from Lancaster University Library now gives a library perspective. Elaine recaps gold, diamond and green OA models from a library perspective.
Here is a summary of what they are (to save my typing fingers): www.oabooks-toolkit.org/lifecycle/10...
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
More figures, comparing the OtF model to BPC. At the moment, these models ARE indeed small-scale, but we have to start somewhere and with support, they can grow. Is it better to stick with what we've got...?
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Tom now talks about @openbookcollective.bsky.social and @openingthefuture.bsky.social -- more info:
OBC: openbookcollective.org
OtF: www.openingthefuture.net
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
The answer: all of those things, multiple times over. What does 'sustainability' mean in THIS context? Can we afford to sustain THIS system?
#OAWeek #UKSGwebinar
Author fee money is not 'down the back of the sofa' - far too much money! Formed a lot of the basis of objections to the recent REF consultation. We need more models, & for libraries to engage with them! We also need to avoid a small number of presses dominating - setting terms
#UKSGwebinar #OAWeek
Tom points out the uneven, challenging, and precarious landscape in UK HE right now. Argues that going down the author-fee route (as we have to a large extent with journal fees) would be problematic for many reasons.
#UKSGwebinar #OAWeek
Tom runs through various international policy mandates for #OAbooks. Particularly notes the REF (intended) mandate for 2029 and the lack of central funding for this. How do we pay for this transition to OA in a fair & sustainable way, while maintaining bibliodiversity?
#UKSGwebinar #OAWeek
