OIPA Symposium 2026 Spotlights Expansion of Diamond Open Access Models Across UK Institutions

The Open Institutional Publishing Association (OIPA) brought together publishers, librarians, researchers and policymakers for its 2026 Symposium on 18 June at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, University of Sussex. The one-day event focused on the continuing development of diamond open access publishing in the United Kingdom, where journals and platforms provide immediate free access to readers and authors without article processing charges.

Diamond open access differs from other open access routes by relying on institutional, society or collective funding rather than author fees or subscriptions. Participants heard how UK-based diamond initiatives are scaling through shared infrastructure, policy alignment and new collective agreements.

Defining Diamond Open Access and Its Place in UK Scholarly Communication

Diamond open access describes a publication model in which neither authors nor readers pay fees. Journals operate on non-profit or cost-recovery bases supported by universities, libraries, learned societies or government programmes. This approach removes financial barriers that can limit participation, particularly for early-career researchers and those in under-resourced disciplines.

In the United Kingdom the model aligns with broader open research policies from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the higher education funding bodies. Recent data indicate that immediate open access now accounts for approximately 88 per cent of UKRI-funded outputs, with diamond routes contributing to the non-APC share of that total.

Key Sessions and Discussions at the Brighton Symposium

The programme included two main panels, a series of lightning talks and interactive workshops. One panel examined the integration of generative artificial intelligence into editorial and production workflows while maintaining quality standards. Another explored sustainable funding models for institutional presses and library publishing services.

Lightning talks showcased practical examples from UK universities that have launched or expanded diamond journals in the humanities, social sciences and STEM fields. Attendees discussed challenges such as discoverability, indexing and long-term preservation, as well as opportunities created by national and European infrastructure projects.

Evidence of Growth in UK Diamond Publishing Capacity

Several developments highlighted at the symposium point to measurable expansion. Taylor & Francis announced the conversion of six additional journals to its Collective Pathway to Open Publishing model for 2026, supported by agreements with Jisc in the United Kingdom. The journals span archaeology, history, education and law, demonstrating the model’s applicability across disciplines.

Institutional publishers reported increased output volumes and new platform adoptions. The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) editorial team participated, noting rising numbers of UK diamond titles meeting quality criteria. European projects such as DIAMAS have provided tools and alignment frameworks that UK institutions are adapting to strengthen local capacity.

Photo by Herlambang Tinasih Gusti on Unsplash

Stakeholder Perspectives from UK Universities and Libraries

University librarians described how diamond publishing supports institutional strategies for research visibility and equity. Library publishing services at several Russell Group universities have moved from pilot projects to established programmes, often in partnership with academic departments.

Researchers welcomed the removal of author-facing fees, especially in fields where grant funding for publication costs is limited. Early-career academics highlighted the importance of diamond venues for building publication records without incurring personal expense.

Learned society representatives noted that diamond models allow societies to retain editorial control and revenue from other activities while fulfilling open access mandates.

Challenges and Solutions Discussed at the Event

Participants identified several persistent challenges. Visibility remains an issue when diamond journals are not indexed in major commercial databases. Sustainable funding requires ongoing institutional commitment rather than one-off grants. Quality assurance processes must keep pace with growing submission volumes.

Proposed solutions included greater use of shared platforms, enhanced metadata standards, and closer collaboration with national bodies such as Jisc and UKRI. Workshops explored practical steps for improving discoverability through existing open infrastructures and for developing collective funding agreements that spread costs across multiple institutions.

Policy Context and Alignment with National and International Frameworks

The symposium took place against a backdrop of evolving UK open access policy. UKRI’s open access requirements and the forthcoming REF 2029 open access policy continue to encourage non-APC routes. At European level, the DIAMAS project and the Action Plan for Diamond OA provide templates that UK participants are adapting.

Speakers emphasised the value of aligning UK efforts with these frameworks to avoid duplication and to leverage shared technical standards. The event also considered how diamond publishing can contribute to broader goals of research integrity and public engagement.

Future Outlook and Opportunities for UK Higher Education

Looking ahead, participants expressed optimism that diamond open access will form an increasingly important part of the UK publishing landscape. Growth is expected in disciplines where community ownership is strong and where institutional support for non-commercial publishing is expanding.

Opportunities include new collective models, improved integration with research assessment processes, and greater international collaboration through shared infrastructures. The symposium concluded with calls for continued dialogue between institutional publishers, funders and researchers to ensure the model remains sustainable and inclusive.

Photo by Herlambang Tinasih Gusti on Unsplash

Practical Steps for Institutions Considering Diamond Initiatives

Universities and libraries interested in developing diamond publishing capacity can begin by assessing existing institutional repositories and publishing platforms. Mapping current diamond or diamond-adjacent journals within the institution provides a baseline for growth.

Engagement with OIPA and similar networks offers access to best-practice guidance and peer support. Participation in collective funding agreements, such as those facilitated by Jisc, can reduce the financial risk of launching new titles. Training for editorial teams on open-source publishing tools and quality standards is also recommended.

Implications for Researchers and Career Development

For individual researchers, diamond open access venues offer a route to compliant, high-visibility publication without financial barriers. This can be particularly advantageous for PhD candidates and early-career staff who may not have access to grant funding for article processing charges.

Publication in diamond journals can strengthen research profiles for hiring, promotion and grant applications, especially as institutions and funders place greater emphasis on open research practices. Researchers are encouraged to check journal policies on indexing, preservation and peer-review standards before submission.