APCs in the wild… who gets our money and can we really afford this?

Presenter: Donna Ó Doibhlin

Scholarly Communications Librarian, UCC

Abstract

This study explores the financial implications of the Article Processing Charges (APCs) incurred by University College Cork (UCC) researchers outside the scope of IReL Open Access (OA) agreements.  Conducted by the Scholarly Communications Librarian and the Head of Library Research Services, the research spans a three-year period and uncovers the hidden costs associated with OA publishing.  Data collection required extensive institutional collaboration and the intervention of senior library leadership to access financial systems. The analysis reveals a significant and growing institutional expenditure on APCs, including repeated payments to publishers already covered under existing agreements and substantial outlays to publishers not participating in any national deals. Notably, several questionable publishers rank among the top recipients, raising concerns about the quality and integrity of funded publications.  

These findings underscore the urgent need for improved transparency, strategic oversight, and institutional policy development to manage APC spending effectively. As OA publishing models evolve, the study calls for a more coordinated and equitable approach to supporting researchers, ensuring that financial investments align with institutional values and national frameworks. The research contributes to broader discussions on the sustainability of OA publishing and the governance of scholarly communication funding. 

About

Donna is the Scholarly Communications Librarian in UCC and is a passionate advocate of open research.  In UCC she provides expert advice to the University community about the changing modes of scholarly publishing and works closely with colleagues in the Research Data Service and the University’s Research Office to ensure we deliver a holistic open research support network.  Donna is particularly interested in how institutions can embed open research practices sustainably and meaningfully, and how librarians can act as catalysts for change in this space.