The updated version of the “How Equitable Is It?” tool for assessing equity in scholarly communication models has been officially released following a period of community consultation. First introduced in beta at the OASPA conference in September 2024, the tool has undergone substantive revision in response to stakeholder feedback gathered through January 2025.
The tool was developed by a Working Group composed of representatives from libraries, library consortia, funders, and publishers, and convened by cOAlition S, Jisc, and PLOS. It provides a structured framework for evaluating the equity of scholarly communication models and funding arrangements across seven defined criteria.
Key enhancements in the updated version include improved user guidance and clarified definitions of equity indicators. The assessment criteria are:
• Access to read
• Immediate open access publishing
• Maximizing participation
• Re-use rights
• Pricing and fee transparency
• Open research practices: data and code
• Open research practices: preprints and peer review
Feedback from the beta phase highlighted the importance of clearer definitions and more practical guidance. Revisions were made to address the operational needs of institutions, consortia, funders, and publishers engaged in evaluating the equity implications of their publishing agreements and service investments.
Modelled after the earlier “How Open Is It?” framework, the tool is intended for use by stakeholders either investing in or receiving funding for publishing services. It enables users to assess scholarly communication models by scoring each criterion on a scale from “least equitable” to “most equitable.” Upon completion, users receive an overall equity score and a summary of their assessments. The tool does not provide predefined data or recommendations, allowing users to independently evaluate models based on their specific contexts.
The revised tool is designed to support more informed decision-making by enabling stakeholders to consider how funding structures and publishing models affect equitable participation in knowledge dissemination. Early adopters have emphasized its utility in evaluating agreements and allocating institutional resources with greater attention to inclusivity and transparency.
The tool is available at https://coalitions.typeform.com/Equity-Tool, and a detailed explanation of the assessment criteria and definitions can be accessed in the accompanying documentation.
Future plans for the tool include collecting implementation case studies and supporting the development of a community of practice focused on equity assessment in scholarly publishing. Feedback will continue to be reviewed, with annual updates planned to reflect evolving community needs.
Click here to read the original press release.
