The International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM), the Publishers Association (PA) and the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) have expressed concern about the validity of open access (OA) claims made by recent advocacy deriving from the UK Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC). The organisations believe this seriously understates the contribution of the publishing industry to UK research and makes misleading and incorrect claims about the potential cost benefits of OA.
The report in question is based on work commissioned by JISC from Australian economist John Houghton. STM, PA and ALPSP have jointly addressed a letter to JISC Executive Secretary Dr. Malcolm Read, restating their concerns about Houghton's work and its derivatives, and the way in which this is being used as the basis for claims to UK higher education institutions. The letter proposed a meeting between JISC and representatives of the publishing industry. According to the organisations, response from JISC ignored their concerns but has agreed to a meeting.
In preparation for the meeting, the associations sent JISC a further letter and a presentation to explain the disparity between JISC perceptions and the reality of scholarly journal publishing as an energetic, innovative industry. The industry is said to be greatly valued by researchers, and to have contributed significantly to efficiency and productivity gains for academic research in the UK and around the world. However, JISC continues to contest this reality.
STM, the PA and ALPSP have stated plans to continue to work together to correct misleading information about the industry. The organisations welcome any comments from members or other interested stakeholders.
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