Jisc has undertaken a review of transitional agreements in the UK that charts the progress of open access (OA) and evaluates the effectiveness of transitional agreements (TAs) in that process.
One of the most comprehensive studies of its kind, the review provides an important and timely evidence base for institutions, research funders, researchers, publishers, and consortia to inform collective decision-making and planning.
The review found savings were being made through sector-wide negotiations and showed the UK has achieved exceptional levels of funder compliance during a period when there were few alternative immediate routes to open access.
As an early adopter of transitional agreements, the UK appears to be transitioning to open access more effectively than the global average. In 2022, the number of UK open access articles was 4% higher than the global average (UK: 50%; global 46%).
Transitional agreements were envisioned as a temporary mechanism to support a transition to full open access. They set out to constrain costs for institutions and drive the rapid growth of open access at the UK and global level.
However, the review suggests they are at risk of becoming the ‘norm’ and that the rate of transition is too slow.
The full report asks the following questions: What proportion of scholarly literature is open access?; What impact have transitional agreements had on open access to global and UK research publications?; What effect have transitional agreements had on costs for UK institutions?; How far have transitional agreements facilitated author compliance with funder requirements?; and Do transitional agreements deliver on their promise of being temporary and transitional?
Jisc’s review of TA agreements was carried out with its strategic groups. Jisc has negotiated or renewed 47 TA agreements to date.
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