A group of our Open Access (OA) experts have written a paper, Reflections on Transformative Agreements: From Stagnant Transitions to Article Quotas, which critically examines three challenges associated with transformative agreements (TAs) between consortia and publishers aimed at promoting open access.
The authors highlight the lack of substantial progress in transitioning from hybrid journals to gold OA, the risks of inequities and rising costs linked to APC-driven gold OA, and the limitations imposed by article quotas in some TAs. They emphasize the need for a broader strategic and transparent approach to effectively achieve OA goals.
This paper offers valuable insights by highlighting structural inefficiencies in current publishing agreements and encourages stakeholders consortia, policymakers, and institutions to address these challenges proactively, paving the way for sustainable and equitable open access pathways. While TAs have long been a subject of discussion among our experts and broader networks, it seems an opportune moment for consortia and institutions to re-evaluate their negotiation strategies and terms for publishing agreements.
