The document discusses Elsevier's position on open access. It supports universal access to quality research content through sustainable mechanisms. It provides open access through gold open access journals, hybrid open access options in subscription journals, and green open access by allowing posting of manuscripts online. Elsevier has over 1,200 hybrid journals and 24 full open access journals. It also provides access programs for patients, developing countries, and through agreements with funders. Remaining access gaps need to be closed through sustainable mechanisms.

1. A Discussion on Open Access
Alicia Wise, Director of Universal Access

2. Access: Elsevier position
1. We are for Universal Access
− We exist to disseminate quality research content as broadly as possible
− We will systematically identify and close remaining access gaps
2. We are for Quality
− Researchers and society depend on essential quality controls, such as is provided
by peer review
− The quality of the researcher experience is an essential driver of productivity
3. We are for Sustainability
− Society depends upon a well-functioning self-sustaining system of STM
communications
− The system must be sustainable for those that fund it, i.e. universities, readers,
funding bodies
We support all mechanisms to achieve sustainable universal access to
quality content
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3. Open Access: Elsevier Progress
•
• Option to make an article within a subscription journal
Option to make an article within a subscription journal
•
• Author processing fee per article published – sole
Author processing fee per article published – sole open access
open access
mechanism to support journal
mechanism to support journal •
• Supported by several funding organisations
Supported by several funding organisations
•
• Some journals use subsidies, grants and waivers
Some journals use subsidies, grants and waivers •
• Often referred to as the hybrid “gold” model
Often referred to as the hybrid “gold” model
•
• Often referred to as “gold” open access
Often referred to as “gold” open access
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES •
• Elsevier has >1,200 journals that offer this service (i.e.
Elsevier has >1,200 journals that offer this service (i.e.
•
• Elsevier has 24 OA journals
Elsevier has 24 OA journals vast majority of our proprietary titles)
vast majority of our proprietary titles)
•
• Agreements with RCUK, Wellcome Trust, FWF, Telethon
Agreements with RCUK, Wellcome Trust, FWF, Telethon
•
• Subscription journals making articles freely
Subscription journals making articles freely
•
• Posted manuscripts, or pre-prints to
Posted manuscripts, or pre-prints to available online after time delay, “green”
available online after time delay, “green”
websites and repositories
websites and repositories •
• Time to free access varies due to differences
Time to free access varies due to differences
•
• Supported by many universities and
Supported by many universities and in subject fields
in subject fields
research organisations
research organisations
•
• Often referred to as “green” open access
Often referred to as “green” open access
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES
• Elsevier has a very liberal posting policy •
• Over 70 Elsevier journals now offer this
Over 70 Elsevier journals now offer this
• Elsevier has a very liberal posting policy
that supports researcher needs solution in fields such as medicine, life
solution in fields such as medicine, life
that supports researcher needs
• Agreements developed with institutions sciences and mathematics
sciences and mathematics
• Agreements developed with institutions
to facilitate deposit
to facilitate deposit
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4. Open access uptake: overall landscape
STM articles by access model
1% 1% 1%
5% Author pays
9%
14% Subscriptions (with embargo)
17%
19% Subscription
91%
86%
82%
76%
Medical Sciences Natural Sciences Engineering & Technology
Social Sciences &
Humanities

5. Access for patients and developing countries
Access for patients,
family members, and patientINFORM is a partnership programme between patient
caregivers advocacy organisations and publishers to provide access to
summaries written for non-specialist + the article.
Patient Research is discoverable through internet search results
and links to articles in participating Elsevier medical journals. The
individual may register to request email delivery of the article for a
$4.99 processing fee.
Access in developing
Abdus Salam International
countries
Centre for Theoretical Physics
(ICTP)
Through the ICTP pioneering
e-Journals Delivery Service
(eJDS), scientists in
developing countries receive
free access to Elsevier
journals in physics,
mathematics and computer
science. Registration is free
and can be done by mail or
fax, and all applications are
reviewed for approval.
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6. Gaps to close to achieve universal access
Current situation, 2010
Publishers Research Consortium, Global Study 2010 Gaps to close to reach goal
Percent of respondents fairly satisfied or very satisfied with access to journals (universal access – 100%
for all)
93% 85% 83% 78% 71% 69%
University/ Research Large Medical Small and Other
college Institute & companies Institutions Medium
Government companies
Manuscript posting (‘green open access’) g)
Article showcasing f)
Public Access programs e)
Delayed Access d)
Sponsored options (‘gold open access’) c)
Article transactional models b)
Constituent specific licenses a)
mechanisms
Identify and close remaining journal access gaps using all sustainable
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Note: 4,109 researcher respondents, global study

7. Discussion questions posed by our Chair:
Is Open Access really open?
Why are mandates essential to enhance “Open Access”?
How does “Open Access” influence innovation, or does it?
Cost of “Opening up”- is it worth it?