RCUK welcomes the ‘Finch report’

Research Councils UK (RCUK) welcomes the report from the National Working Group on Expanding Access to Published Research Findings (the ‘Finch Group’) - Accessibility, sustainability, excellence: how to expand access to research publications. The report sets out an encouraging and challenging road map to improve open access to scholarly literature.

RCUK is strongly committed to improving the access to the outputs of its research, for the benefit of researchers, as well as UK economy and society. We will carefully consider the recommendations from the report, with HEFCE and other stakeholders and, in addition, we will use it to inform the new RCUK Open Access policy, expected to be launched later this summer.

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Further information

Contact:
Alexandra Saxon
Head of Communications
Tel: 01793 444474 or email: Alexandra Saxon

Notes to editors

1. The report from the National Working Group on Expanding Access to Published Research Findings Accessibility, sustainability, excellence: how to expand access to research publications can be found here

2. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).