Advancing Open Research in UK Higher Education

The landscape of scholarly publishing in the United Kingdom continues to evolve rapidly, with institutions and researchers seeking sustainable ways to make findings freely available while maintaining high standards of quality and accessibility. A key development in this area involves a longstanding partnership between Jisc, the not-for-profit organisation that provides digital solutions for UK higher and further education, and the American Physical Society (APS), the publisher of the renowned Physical Review family of journals.

This agreement represents a transformative read and publish model designed specifically to support corresponding authors affiliated with participating UK universities and research organisations. By covering article processing charges for open access publication in hybrid Physical Review titles, it removes financial barriers that have historically limited the reach of UK physics research.

Understanding the Scope of the Jisc-APS Partnership

The current iteration of the agreement spans from 2023 through the end of 2028. It builds on earlier transitional arrangements and now offers unlimited open access publishing opportunities alongside continued read access to the full suite of APS journals, including Reviews of Modern Physics. Eligible authors must be the corresponding author at the point of submission and hold an official affiliation with one of the listed UK institutions.

Participating hybrid journals include Physical Review Letters, Physical Review A through E, Physical Review Applied, Physical Review Fluids, and Physical Review Materials. Articles accepted during the agreement period receive immediate open access under a CC-BY licence at no additional cost to the author or their institution beyond the overarching agreement fee.

Fully open access titles such as Physical Review X and Physical Review Research fall outside the core coverage, though authors may explore alternative funding routes through their libraries or UKRI policies. The arrangement also integrates seamlessly with the SCOAP3 initiative for high-energy physics content, ensuring comprehensive support across physics subfields.

Participating Institutions Across the UK

A wide array of leading universities and research bodies benefit from the agreement. These range from Russell Group institutions such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, and the University of Manchester to others including Durham University, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and Queen Mary University of London.

Additional participants encompass the Open University, Swansea University, Loughborough University, and research councils such as the Science and Technology Facilities Council with its Daresbury and Rutherford Appleton Laboratories. This broad inclusion ensures that researchers at both large research-intensive universities and smaller or specialist institutions can participate equally.

• Cardiff University
• Coventry University
• Heriot-Watt University
• King's College London
• Lancaster University
• Newcastle University
• University of Bath
• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• University of Exeter
• University of Leeds
• University of Leicester
• University of Liverpool
• University of Nottingham
• University of Sheffield
• University of St Andrews
• University of Strathclyde
• University of Sussex
• University of Warwick
• University of York

Benefits for UK Researchers and Institutions

For individual academics, the primary advantage lies in the removal of article processing charge barriers. Researchers can focus on the quality and impact of their work rather than navigating complex funding applications for open access fees. This is particularly valuable in physics, where collaborative international projects often require rapid and wide dissemination of results.

Institutions gain predictable budgeting through the bundled read and publish model. Libraries no longer face unpredictable spikes in open access expenditure, while researchers enjoy seamless compliance with funder mandates such as those from UK Research and Innovation. The unlimited nature of the agreement further supports high-output departments without artificial caps.

Beyond cost savings, the agreement promotes greater visibility for UK physics research. Articles published under the terms become immediately available worldwide, potentially increasing citations and fostering new collaborations across borders.

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How the Process Works for Authors

Eligible corresponding authors identify their institutional affiliation during manuscript submission to one of the participating Physical Review journals. Upon acceptance, APS automatically applies the open access terms under the Jisc agreement, with no further action required from the author regarding payment.

The corresponding author status is fixed at initial submission, preventing later changes that could affect eligibility. Once published, the article carries a CC-BY licence, allowing broad reuse while ensuring proper attribution. Authors may also deposit the accepted manuscript in institutional repositories without embargo.

Library teams at participating institutions typically provide guidance and confirmation of eligibility. Many universities maintain dedicated open research support pages detailing the agreement alongside other publisher deals.

Impact on UK Higher Education Research Output

Physics departments across the United Kingdom have long contributed significantly to global scientific advancement. The agreement amplifies this contribution by ensuring that findings from experiments at facilities such as the Diamond Light Source or CERN-related work reach the widest possible audience without delay.

Early indications from similar transformative agreements suggest increased open access uptake rates among covered institutions. This shift aligns with broader national goals outlined in UKRI policies and supports the transition toward a more equitable scholarly communication system.

By reducing reliance on individual author payments or grant top-slicing, the model helps level the playing field between well-funded and emerging research groups, contributing to greater diversity in published outputs.

Stakeholder Perspectives from Universities and Libraries

Library directors and open access officers at institutions such as Imperial College London and the University of Oxford have highlighted the agreement's role in streamlining workflows. Corresponding authors report greater confidence when selecting target journals, knowing that open access options are pre-funded.

Research-intensive universities note particular benefits for early-career researchers and international collaborators who may lack dedicated open access budgets. The model also supports compliance with the forthcoming requirements under Plan S and UKRI open access policies.

APS has emphasised its commitment to sustainable open access through such consortia partnerships, viewing the Jisc agreement as a template for other national deals worldwide.

Challenges and Considerations in Implementation

While the agreement offers substantial advantages, institutions must ensure robust communication so that all eligible researchers are aware of the opportunity. Some authors initially affiliated with non-participating organisations may need to confirm eligibility before submission.

Hybrid journal models continue to draw debate within the open access community regarding long-term sustainability. However, the unlimited publishing provision and integration with read access provide a pragmatic bridge during the ongoing transition to full open access.

Monitoring article volumes and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits across disciplines and career stages remains an ongoing task for Jisc and participating libraries.

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Future Outlook for Open Access in UK Physics

The extension of the agreement through 2028 signals strong commitment from both Jisc and APS to long-term collaboration. As more data emerges on usage patterns and citation impacts, further refinements may enhance the model for subsequent renewal periods.

Broader trends in UK higher education, including increasing emphasis on research integrity, responsible metrics, and international partnerships, align well with the goals of this agreement. Researchers can expect continued support for open dissemination of their work.

Similar deals in other disciplines and with additional publishers suggest a maturing ecosystem of transformative agreements that collectively advance the UK's position as a leader in open research.

Practical Steps for Researchers and Administrators

UK-based physicists should verify their institution's participation via the APS institutional agreements page or their university library portal before submitting manuscripts. Early engagement with open research teams can clarify any nuances around article types or co-author affiliations.

Department heads and research administrators are encouraged to incorporate information about the agreement into induction programmes for new staff and students. Regular updates from Jisc and APS will keep stakeholders informed of any operational adjustments.

By leveraging this agreement effectively, UK higher education institutions can maximise the global impact of their physics research while controlling costs and simplifying compliance processes.