The draft of a new Open Access Policy – which refers to the free availability of research outputs, increasing their reach and impact – is now available for comment.

Flinders University supports open access to our research outputs through the provision of platforms and via Read & Publish agreements, but does not currently have a policy that addresses open access.

The draft Open Access Policy has been developed to cover all University research outputs, including those resulting from grant funding.

The main policy principle is that research outputs are required to be made open access, unless there is a justifiable reason for restrictions. Researchers are given agency as to when and how they achieve this. Supporting procedures have also been developed to support researchers to enact the principles of the policy.

The procedures are designed to:

• Identify various options researchers may choose to make their research outputs open access.
• Provide guidance on open licensing.
• Assign responsibilities.
• Outline the support available for open access.

You are invited to provide feedback on the proposed policy and procedures by close of business on Friday, 21 April 2023. Please email all comments to policyandsecretariat@flinders.edu.au.