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Open Research

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Becoming an interdisciplinary incubator, building communities of knowledge and practice. Inspiring people from all backgrounds to engage with our collections and contribute to our research.

The Library supports you throughout the whole research cycle, no matter what stage you are in your research career.

The Open Research Team work with you through the provision of services, systems, resources and training to help you achieve your research goals and enable Open Research. We’re here to engage with you throughout the whole research cycle, no matter what stage you are in your research career to help you plan, publish, preserve and share your research and meet funder requirements.

Open Research (used interchangeably with Open Science) champions the idea that scholarly and scientific knowledge (and data) should be shared as freely as possible and as early as possible in the research process across all disciplines, both within and beyond academia. By aiding the development of open research skills and practices, we are working towards more reproducible, accessible and rigorous research. Find out more about the principles and benefits of Open Research.

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Research Publications and Rights Retention policy

Following a recent N8 Research Partnership initiative Lancaster University’s Senate have approved a new ‘rights retention’ policy for Lancaster University.

Research Publications and Rights Retention policy

Open Research Services

  • Open Access

    The Library supports researchers to identify where to publish research, understand how to make publications Open Access, meet Open Access requirements, and take advantage of Open Access funding agreements.

  • Research Data Management

    The Library supports researchers in accessing, managing, preserving and sharing research data effectively, including producing Research Data Management Plans and utilising Lancaster University's institutional data repository.

  • Research Intelligence

    The Library provide intelligence that can inform you of the impact and influence of your research, using publication data, citations analysis and Altmetrics. This can help with choosing where to publish, finding collaborators and plays a supporting role in funding bids, benchmarking of current practice and evidencing your research strengths.

  • Principles and benefits of Open Research

    Open Research champions the idea that scholarly and scientific knowledge (and data) should be shared as freely as possible and as early as possible in the research process.

How can I apply Open Research to my own discipline?

If the concept of open research is new to you, it might be difficult for you to determine how you can apply open research practices to your research. The UK Reproducibility Network have produced a webpage to provide resources and examples of open research practices that are relevant to your discipline.

The website lists case studies of open research practices and resources per discipline (organised as: general, open methods, open data, open output and open education).

Access the resource here.

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Blue background, white text that reads 'Library skills at Lancaster'

Upcoming Open Research Training Sessions and Events

We deliver a range of events and training throughout the year to support and enable researchers and students to engage with Open Research. The majority of our training sessions are part of the Library Skills @Lancaster programme through the 'Researcher Development' pathway. The 'Researcher Development' pathway is designed to support both students and staff to develop the information literacy and Open Research skills they need to progress in their research and careers.

7th Feb

Researcher Profiles: boost your work and save time!

Friday 7 February 2025, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
12th Feb

Making your research articles open access

Wednesday 12 February 2025, 11:00am to 12:00pm
5th Mar

Beyond the Article: managing your research data and 'alternative outputs'

Wednesday 5 March 2025, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
10th Mar

Highlighting your Research Impact

Monday 10 March 2025, 11:00am to 12:00pm
8th Apr

Myth busting Open Access Books: Information for Authors

Tuesday 8 April 2025, 2:00pm to 2:30pm

More Events

Library Research News

Black text reading

Publish your first Monograph with Trailblazers: Applications open for 2025 intake

Applications are now open for Trailblazers Open Access Books schemes 2025 intake. 
Photograph of the library A floor tree central, surrounded by students actively studying and passing through

Stories from our Vision

As the library approaches the final year of ‘The Library towards 2025’, we want to use the remaining year to highlight all the brilliant projects and work that has contributed towards achieving the aspirations for the future of the library. We would like to outline and share all the work we have achieved over the course of this five-year plan.  

Image of an open padlock in front of a book case.

Lancaster University Library Launches New Open Access Journal Hosting Service

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new service to host open access journals managed by Lancaster University's academic community. 
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Grants available to support Scholar-led Open Access Journals

Grants of up to £1000 are available through the Library to support scholar led-open access journals.  
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New Guide on Open Access Books now Available from Lancaster University Library

Lancaster University Library has launched a new guide to support authors interested in publishing open access books, monographs, book chapters, and edited collections. 
Portrait of Sir Humphry Davy by H.W. Pickersgill 1831 and courtesy of the Royal Institution

Davy Notebooks now available on Lancaster Digital Collections

A new collection of previously unpublished notebooks by the scientist Sir Humphrey Davy have been made available on Lancaster Digital Collections 

More News

Research Engagement Spaces

The Digital Scholarship and Open Research Labs are flexible spaces that can facilitate a range of workshops and events. The Library is looking to partner with its diverse research community to promote interdisciplinary Open Research and Digital Scholarship throughout the institution and beyond. If you are interested in hosting an event in the Research spaces that relates to either Open Research, Digital Scholarship, or partners with the library, please submit an event request using this form. Please click here for further information about the spaces.

If you would like to discuss an event idea with the Library Open Research Team please email libraryresearchspaces@lancaster.ac.uk.

Open research lab

Location: A386, A floor

Facilities: LCD Screens with laptop input, folding tables and chairs. View on campus map

Digital scholarship lab

Location: A387, A floor

Facilities: teaching console with LCD Touch Screen, multiple cameras, 3 desktop computers, folding tables and chairs. View on campus map

Lancaster University Open Journals

Lancaster University Open Journals is a platform managed by the Library for hosting open access journals managed by Lancaster University colleagues.

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SafePod

A SafePod is a standardised safe setting that provides the necessary security for a researcher to access sensitive datasets from participating Data Centres across the UK. The SafePod includes a door control access system, CCTV, a researcher area for the analysis of datasets and a separate secure storage area for IT equipment. The SafePod is also wheelchair accessible and includes a height adjustable desk.

Find out more about the SafePod.

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