Open Access is about making academic research freely available online. It is important because:
- it enables Queen’s researchers to share their work internationally
- it makes the University’s research easier to discover online
- it results in higher citation rates for research conducted at Queen’s
- it ensures compliance with funders’ policies, such as RCUK
- it is required by HEFCE, and will effect eligibility to the next REF
- it provides a good return on public spending invested in the University
All of these aspects impact the individual researcher and their institution. The University has shown its commitment to this area by developing the Queen’s University Open Access Policy, which is effective from 1 November 2014.
Furthermore the University has established an Open Access Team, based in the McClay Library, to assist Queen’s researchers in making their research open access. The team are currently developing an Open Access FAQ Section to help answer any questions that you might have.
Open Access is here to stay and it is growing in both popularity and significance. It is important to the University, to the future of research and to you, the researchers.
For further information or assistance contact the Open Access Team by emailing openaccess@qub.ac.uk or check out our Open Access LibGuide.