Motion
- Motion title
- Academic publishing
- Session
- 2011-2012
- Meeting link
- HE conference
- Meeting date
- 8 June 2012
- Status
- Passed
- Motion
- HE45
- Motion text
It is now clear that a few publishers have gained a quasi-monopoly in academic publishing. Publications are the primary form of dissemination of academic work, and careers depend on them. Given the manner in which some publishers have abused their power by increasing prices and by publishing thinly disguised corporate pamphlets, for example, we are concerned by the practices of part of the academic publishing business.
Thus, HESC resolves to:
1. examine ways in which the damage done by publishers' abuse of power can be limited
2. support efforts to develop models of publishing which maintain values of academic freedom and free exchange and dissemination of ideas within and without universities
3. develop guidance for local associations and branches on protecting members from pressure to publish in possibly inappropriate journals, including rejection of `impact factors' and `h factors' as measures for quality or career progression
4. congratulate the MRC on its support for unrestricted access to the published outputs of research as a fundamental part of its mission and a public benefit.
- Proposing body
- University of Bath
- Amended
- Yes
- Allocated to
- Higher education committee (HEC)
- Notes
Administrative info
- Listing reference
- 2012/H/06-08/078/HE45