This section is about the REF open access policy. It covers details about: 

• The current REF open access policy and actions for our researchers
• A comment on funding body considerations for a future open access policy update
• Open access reports that can be downloaded from Elements

Details about the current REF open access policy are covered in this video. This includes:

• An introduction to REF and the open access policy
• What actions researchers need to take
• How exceptional circumstances may be handled
• How researchers and administrators can check compliance with the open access policy

Research England provides funding for our university and expects that our research outputs are open access.  They have confirmed that the open access policy and guidance used for REF2021 should be followed until further notice. 

The four funding bodies of the UK (including Research England) will together be planning a future research assessment exercise and as part of this will consider how the open access policy will develop.  The decision on this will be based on an assessment of open access in REF2021 and consultation with stakeholders.  Details of any changes to the policy will be communicated to our researchers when they become available. 

Resource: UKRI Funding 

REF open access compliance reports can be downloaded from Elements. This video:

• Introduces the two sets of reports for administrators (group reports) and individual (user reports)
• Explains how they can be accessed
• Provides tips for using the reports to increase REF open access compliance