We are delighted to announce that the University of Birmingham has joined the Open Journals Collective. The University of Birmingham is supporting our Multidisciplinary collection at the Bronze tier, which represents a significant level of investment. The OJC is dedicated to transforming the way that academic research is supported and disseminated, and the support of the University of Birmingham will be instrumental in helping us achieve our objectives of making journals free to read and publish in, offering a viable alternative to commercial transformative agreements, and empowering journals to flip to diamond open access.
The University of Birmingham regards open research as an essential component of its research culture, that maximises the accessibility and reach of its research in order to benefit wider society. We are thrilled that they have decided to join us as part of achieving their vision for open research.
Gordon McQueen, Open Access Librarian at the University of Birmingham, said: "Joining the Open Journals Collective reflects our commitment at the University of Birmingham to an open, resilient, and impactful research ecosystem. Diamond open access offers a sustainable way to ensure knowledge is shared without barriers, supporting the global scholarly community and the diverse publics who benefit from research. Initiatives like the OJC align with our ambitions to advance towards a fairer world, enable world-class research, and ensure the knowledge we create is always accessible, trusted, and used by all."
Tom Shaw, the Open Journals Collective’s Library Engagement Lead, said: “It is fantastic news that the University of Birmingham has joined us. At the OJC we have a bold vision to provide an alternative to the world of commercial big deals, and we are delighted to have Birmingham’s support. We look forward to working with them as we build a brighter future for academic publishing”.
Joanna Ball, Managing Director of the Directory of Open Access Journals and OJC Director said: “The University of Birmingham’s support for the Open Journals Collective is a strong endorsement of community-led, sustainable open access. By investing at the Bronze tier, they are helping to build a future where journals can thrive without barriers to read or publish.”