Open access publishing
Open access (OA) publishing is the means by which peer-reviewed research is made freely available online, with as few restrictions on how the works may be re-used as possible.
By making your publications open access, your work will be visible by those who do not have institutional subscriptions to journals or e-books, thereby increasing the reach of your research. Open access publishing does not circumvent peer review. Outputs are still peer-reviewed and published in the traditional way, in addition to making a copy of the item available via open access.
Articles, chapters, conference papers, books and other text-based outputs can be made available through open access in two main ways:
- The item is published in the normal way and then a second copy, usually the accepted author manuscript version, is deposited (‘self-archived’) in an institutional or subject repository and made available on here after any embargo period agreed by the publisher has expired. This is known as ‘green open access’
- The publisher’s version of the item is made instantly freely available on the publisher’s website, in some cases in return for an Article or Book Processing Charge (APC/BPC) being paid to the publisher and known as ‘gold open access’. The University of Westminster Press is a Gold Open Access Publisher
Open access policy
Green open access is the University’s preferred route. This route involves no fee.
Staff and doctoral researchers can learn how to add outputs on the Adding Outputs to Repository page.
The University Open Access Policy requests deposit of all research outputs into WestminsterResearch. The creator should add details via the VRE. For journal articles and published conference proceedings, a copy of the final accepted manuscript and a date of acceptance must be included. Adding attachments for all other types of outputs is encouraged.
Limited funding to pay APC charges for Gold Open Access may be available where the application is supported by the College Research Director, through an application to the University Open Access Fund.
Download the University Open Access Policy below.
Open research
At Westminster we aim to go beyond open access articles and chapters, and to make the outcomes of our research as open as possible.
Further support on open research is available:
- How to publish journal articles through OA
- How to make practice research open via the VRE
- University of Westminster Press
- How to add outputs to the VRE
- WestminsterResearch
- REF OA requirement
Contact
If you require further help, or information, please email [email protected].