Case studies: mandatory university Open Access policies

Case study 1: Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

The first university-wide mandatory policy, implemented in 2004 by Professor Tom Cochrane, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Tom Cochrane

Approach: Underpinned the mandate by providing a high level of library support for researchers trying to comply by self-archiving. The library advises – case by case where necessary – on copyright issues, technical issues and workflow and provides an extensive and ongoing advocacy service to the research community at QUT. The policy details can be found here.

Case study 2: University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

The second university-wide mandate, implemented in 2005 by Professor António Guimarães Rodrigues, Rector of the University Professor António Guimarães Rodrigues

Approach: Supported the mandate by introducing a system of payments for items self-archived by researchers. The payments were made to heads of departments, thus engaging them in the effort to gather Open Access content for the repository. The payments were on a scale, with the highest payment being made for peer-reviewed journal articles. The payments ceased after two years. Researchers had by then acquired the habit of self-archiving and the feedback and impact they were enjoying as a result meant that they were enthusiastic about the practice and cash reward was no longer necessary. Details of the policy can be found here.

Case study 3: The University of Liege, Liege, Belgium

The third university-wide mandatory policy, implemented in 2007 by Professor Bernard Rentier, Rector of the UniversityRentier photo
Approach: Ties the collection of digital research outputs to the University of Liege’s reporting system. Details of the policy can be found here. The announcement sent to staff by the rector giving the policy details is here.

Case study 4: The Istituto Superiore Sanita, Rome, Italy

An institute-wide mandate (including 7 other institutes around Italy so far), implemented in 2008 by Professor Antonio Cassone, Research Director
Antonio Cassone

Approach: Implements the 'immediate deposite/optional access' type of policy that avoids any publisher-copyright problems whilst providing access during embargo periods. Details of the policy can be found here.

Case study 5: The University of Glasgow, UK

A mandatory policy implemented in 2008
Approach: Expressly relates the collection of research outputs in the repository, Enlighten, with rnternal and external research reporting andn maximising the visibility of the University's research. Details of the policy can be found here.