The UM's Open Access Policy [PDF] is a legally binding document which ensures that all research produced under the auspices of the UM is made available in Open Access. The UM strongly favours Green Open Access as a sustainable and effective means of providing access to research outputs. However, the UM will support Gold Open Access if funding for APCs is available.
The UM's Open Access policy ensures that all research produced under the auspices of the UM is made available in Open Access. Making its research available to the public greatly enhances its transparency and visibility as well as the impact on the scientific community.
The UM’s Open Access Policy applies to all research output produced under the auspices of the UM. Researchers are recommended to deposit such output from the date of the implementation of the Policy onwards. Furthermore, if researchers wish to deposit past research, they are encouraged to do so. In case of journal articles, only the peer-reviewed version will be accepted.
Researchers are encouraged to deposit their research output in OAR@UM as soon as possible upon publication.
In case of multiple authors, the submitter is responsible to obtain consent from the other authors to deposit the work in OAR@UM.
The paper can be deposited in as many repositories as you wish. It can also be uploaded in other platforms such as ResearchGate or Academia.edu. We also suggest that you link the publication to your UM’s Publications List.
There are two ways to submit your research output in OAR@UM:
Self deposit
The UM Library encourages its researchers to upload research papers themselves as self deposit since no one can better describe the publication than the author himself. Deposit of material must be accompanied by sufficient metadata describing its content, provenance and formats.
Mediated deposit
The UM Library also offers a Mediated Deposit Service. Faculty Support Officers working within your Department can upload research content on your behalf. If you decide to do so, a special form has to be filled and signed to make sure that the person has your permission to deposit your publications. Relevant forms can be downloaded from the UM’s Library website.
In both cases, it is highly recommended to use OAR@UM Help or attend a training workshop.
Furthermore, you can fill in the Mediated Deposit Form & Deposit Agreement [PDF] and send it via email so that your work can be deposited on your behalf by OAR@UM Team.
No. If some or all the authors are UM’s researchers, it is enough if one of them deposits the publication. If the authors happen to work in different departments, the item can be easily mapped within the respective departments by the OAR@UM Team.
No. Depositing publications in OAR@UM is free of charge.
Yes. It is very important that research papers published in Open Access journals are also uploaded in OAR@UM. Having all publications safely stored in one central location makes it easier to evaluate the research conducted on a departmental and faculty level, enhances visibility and also increases the probability of collaboration with foreign institutions.
No, it is not enough. Such papers should also be deposited in OAR@UM.
Our aim is to collect, preserve and disseminate the intellectual output of the UM in digital format, but we also aim to collect any works of importance to Malta's cultural heritage and identity. If your publication meets these criteria, you are encouraged to deposit it in OAR@UM.
The UM Open Access Policy applies to all research output produced under the auspices of the UM, including books and book chapters.
You can opt for one of the four levels of access that can be selected during the process of deposit:
The UM does not have a financial allocation to cover APCs, i.e. costs for publishing in Open Access. However, you are free to pursue any other source of funding.
It is of utmost importance to adhere to the UM’s Open Access Policy if one of the funding institutions is the UM. Make sure to inform the other funding institutions about the UM’s Open Access Policy prior to signing any agreement.