KAUST Library Transformative Agreements 2019 2021

Abstract

The Kaust University Library signed a number of transformative agreements with STEM publishers from 2019 to 2021. This poster presents our initial strategy, results, challenges, and plans in the open access publishing area. In 2019 KAUST Library signed 3 transformative agreements with STEM publishers. In 2020 the number of deals increased to 7, and in 2021 to 11. The number of OA articles published under these agreements has been growing steadily - 31 articles published under the terms of transformative agrements in 2019, 111 articles in 2020. The expectations of KAUST authors to have more options to publish open access free of charge are growing, too. Our initial strategy proved to be very successful with smaller and mid-sized publishers, but we reached the point where we should create an evidence-based approach and revise our strategy to deal with big publishers. Higher instances and alignment with the University-wide strategic plan (with clear goals in open research and open access area) are needed to take our open access publishing to the next level.