Open access refers to material that is free at the point of access and licensed for reuse, so readers can use, reuse and share research easily.
You might be considering open access because your funder requires it, but there are many other reasons for doing this.
More exposure for your work: Open access makes your work available to those who may not have access to the resources needed to read it. This could be researchers (including those in developing countries), government bodies, charities and individual scholars, as well as the general public.
Greater impact: You can reach a larger audience, with the potential for more citations, media coverage and engagement with readers. Practitioners can apply your findings without barriers. Your research may even influence policy.
Compliance: You’ll be confident that you have complied with the University, funder and REF rules.
Public benefit: By making research and scholarship more widely available, open access can contribute to the public good and help advance academic progress.
