Inclusive Approaches to Open Access: The AEUP Network of European University Presses

Abstract

The Association of European University Presses (AEUP) serves as a support network for over 50 university presses spanning 18 European countries. These presses are remarkably diverse, particularly in their approaches to open access (OA) publishing. While some are fully committed to OA, others are at the beginning stages, reflecting the wide spectrum of practices and challenges within the organization. This diversity is a testament to AEUP's inclusive ethos, which embraces and supports its members regardless of their position on the OA journey.
This poster will highlight the varied levels of OA adoption among AEUP members, revealing that nearly 30% of these presses currently publish between zero and 25% of their content as open access, while over half have embraced OA more fully, with 75 to 100% of their publications available in open formats. This variation not only underscores the inclusive nature of AEUP but also illustrates the organization's capacity to support publishers at different stages of their transition to OA.
Transitioning to OA, however, is not without its challenges. AEUP members face several critical obstacles, including the financial sustainability of their operations, the complexities of copyright and licensing in an OA environment, and the cultural shift required within the broader academic community. The traditional revenue models—rooted in print book sales and journal subscriptions—are increasingly disrupted by OA practices, necessitating the exploration of alternative funding strategies. Furthermore, the shift to OA requires presses to navigate intricate copyright agreements and adopt licensing models such as Creative Commons, all while ensuring that authors retain appropriate rights and that their work is widely disseminated.
AEUP addresses these challenges by fostering dialogue and collaboration among its members through meetings, conferences, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. This presentation will also feature a few case studies from member presses, showcasing a range of approaches to OA and emphasizing the importance of community-driven models like Diamond Open Access, where scholarly communities maintain control over the content.
In an era marked by rapid changes in academic publishing, AEUP's commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration positions it as a partner for university presses navigating the challenges of adaptation and growth.