OA Week 2023: Why Use the Forced Migration Research Archive?

The Forced Migration Research Archive (FMRA) is a subject-focused community that is hosted by YorkSpace, York University's institutional repository. It was launched last month as a resource to provide forced migration authors a free and easy way to make their research more widely available. 

However, during its initial launch phase, FMRA's specific aim is to support and encourage "Green Open Access," i.e., the digital deposit of an earlier version of a peer-reviewed journal article. This earlier version is generally referred to as a "postprint" or "author accepted manuscript" (AAM). 

So why this focus on postprints? Steady increases in the article processing charges (APCs) associated with Gold and Hybrid Open Access have presented significant challenges to prospective authors who wish to provide open access to their research articles but lack the financial resources to do so. Depositing postprint versions of journal articles in a repository like FMRA (the "Green" route) means that authors can continue to publish in their journals of choice without incurring any publication fees. 

Because the APC-based open access model has become so predominant, many authors may not realize that the Green route is an equally bona fide open access option. And even if they are familiar with Green OA, they may feel that it is too time-consuming or complicated to pursue. 

So FMRA's initial goal is to encourage more authors to embrace Green Open Access by shedding light on the deposit process! Subsequent posts will provide specific examples of journal articles that could serve as candidates for depositing in FMRA, share tips on identifying postprints, and review FMRA's submission guidelines. 

Related post:

- Open Access Week 2023: Theme is "Community over Commercialization"