1. What is Open Access?
Image: Claudia Holland, 2012
Open Access is free, unrestricted, online access to research outputs.
Gold OA – publisher makes the work Open Access immediately, often for the payment of fee, known as an APC (Article Processing Charge).
Green OA – a version of the manuscript is deposited in a repository. It may be unavailable online for an initial embargo period.

2. Why publish Open Access?

3. Open Access policies
Funder policies
HEFCE policy
Bristol policy

4. When to think about Open Access
Grant application
Think about funder policies
Factor in open access costs if necessary
Research and analysis
Be aware of data requirements
Journal selection
Think about funder and HEFCE policies
Pick a journal that is compliant with your funder
Pick a journal that is compliant with HEFCE where possible
Acceptance of paper
Think about funder, HEFCE and UoB policies
Upload accepted manuscript to Pure
Make gold arrangements if required
Upload accepted manuscript to subject repoistory if required

5. Open Access and the REF: what should I do?
On acceptance of your article
What will the Library do?
Create a Pure record, including the date of acceptance
Upload the accepted manuscript to the Pure record
Forward the acceptance to
with the Pure ID as the subject
Check the publisher copyright to ensure that public posting is permitted
Set an embargo period where necessary
Create a full and discoverable Pure record, including DOI & metrics (where possible)

6. Open Access and the REF
Image: HEFCE Open Access Research: FAQs [accessed 01/10/2015]

7. Information and contacts
See our webpages:
us at
Or contact your Research Engagement Librarian:
(Medical Faculties) (Arts / Social Sciences & Law)
(Engineering / Science)
Find us on Twitter
Join one of our Open Access courses – book via OnCourse
Image: Open Access promomateriaal by biblioteekje, 2009