Introducing Symplectic’s Latest Elements Module – the Open Access Monitor

Today, Symplectic are excited to introduce the Open Access Monitor, a new module that simplifies OA policy compliance for research institutions. The module will be supported in their most recent release, Elements v4.14.

Around the world, Open Access policies are being implemented by both institutions and their funders. In the UK, from April 2016 HEFCE will require the deposit of all eligible journal articles to an institutional or subject repository.

In the US, more funders are now requiring the outputs of their funded research to be made publicly available. Institutions are even forming their own Open Access policies due to increased demand from their own faculty.

Symplectic understand that managing and measuring engagement with Open Access policies can be time-consuming and difficult. Faculty have to spend valuable time chasing researchers to deposit their articles, while relying on multiple systems to record, verify and measure the information required to successfully track engagement with their policy.

The new Open Access Monitor has features enabling you to:

• Easily monitor and track who has deposited publications, to ensure researchers’ work remains within policy requirements.
• Have a single intuitive place to easily visualise gaps in engagement, so faculty can take informed actions like depositing on behalf of the researcher, or carrying out advocacy or training for those who may be unaware of the policy.
• Filter articles by linked funder, to narrow down those that fall within a funder’s policy.
• Build reports on the level of compliance, by researcher, department or research group.
• Record article-level exceptions and opt-outs against the policy.
• Recognise individual departments or researchers who are exhibiting high levels of engagement to empower them to advocate others.