Open access

Information and guidance relating to open access for journal articles, conference proceedings, books and chapters.

What is open access?

'Open access' refers to research publications that are freely available online and openly licensed. It benefits researchers and the wider community, and increases the visibility and impact of academic work.

Find out more about why open access is important

How do I make my work open access?

Share your work via our repositories, apply for open access funding, access publisher deals and identify 'diamond' open access journals and book publishers.

Find out more about open access and PhD theses

Find out more about open access for journal articles and conference papers

Find out more about open access for books and chapters

Open access at the University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is committed to open access for research publications, and supports this commitment through the Research Publications and Copyright Policy, the Library's Comprehensive Content Strategy and the development of open publication cultures.

Find out more about the University's strategy, policy and governance on open access

REF and research funder open access policies

REF 2029 and funders such as UKRI and the Wellcome Trust have mandatory open access policies.

Find out more about REF and funder OA requirements

Quick access: REF open access guidance

Quick access: UKRI open access policy guidance