cover image: Galvanising the Open Access Community: A Study on the Impact of Plan S

20.500.12592/5xr25ue

Galvanising the Open Access Community: A Study on the Impact of Plan S

15 Oct 2024

This study examines the impact of Plan S, a major initiative launched by cOAlition S to achieve full and immediate Open Access to research publications. Plan S was implemented in 2021 and has since shaped the global scholarly communication ecosystem, aiming to eliminate barriers to accessing research outputs. The report combines quantitative and qualitative analyses to evaluate the success of Plan S in promoting Open Access, with a particular focus on its effects in Europe and the Global South. Key findings of the study include the positive impact of transformative agreements (TAs) and rights retention strategies, which have facilitated the transition to Open Access in many institutions. However, the report also notes that despite initial successes, the Plan’s goal of universal Open Access has been met with several challenges. These include the complexity of negotiating with commercial publishers, the inequities associated with the article processing charge (APC) model, and a lack of engagement from regions outside Europe, particularly Asia and Latin America. The report provides 15 recommendations for stakeholders, including cOAlition S and other Open Access advocates, to build on the achievements of Plan S. These recommendations suggest refining rights retention policies, promoting innovative publishing models, and expanding the Plan's geographical reach to ensure a more equitable transition to Open Access globally.
open science open access scholarly communication global south plan s research funders apcs transformative agreements coalition s equitable publishing rights retention publishing models

Authors

Pablo de Castro, Ulrich Herb, Laura Rothfritz, W. Benedikt Schmal, Joachim Schöpfel

Pages
100
Published in
Germany

Table of Contents