Strategic Publication Framework

Leiden University has adopted its first Strategic Publication Framework for publishing the works of its researchers. The framework has been prepared by the Open Scientific Publishing think tank in the Academia in Motion program and has gone through extensive consultation in the faculties. On 11 November 2025, the university’s Executive Board approved the framework and the accompanying implementation guide. With this framework, our university takes another major step towards making open science the norm.

Why do we need a Strategic Publication Framework?

The Strategic Publication Framework addresses pressing issues relating to scientific publishing such as transparency and financial sustainability. Making strategic publication choices is becoming increasingly urgent, given the growing number of publications and publication opportunities, developments in the Recognition & Rewards, financial pressures, and annually rising costs.

Addressing these issues helps our university to strengthen the scientific and societal impact of research. It also represents a significant step in realizing the culture change needed to make open science the norm in the way in which we publish our research.

What does the Strategic Publication Framework entail?

The framework outlines four guiding values for scientific publishing and a set of criteria university staff at Leiden University are expected to consider in their publication decisions. It gives guidance to our faculties and institutes for future policy developments related to scientific publishing in a way that aligns with open science principles.

• The framework will help our researchers in making well-considered choices for publishing their research;
• It will shed light on what our academic community values in the context of scientific publishing, where we stand and where we are heading to;
• It will help our university navigate future steps in negotiating deals with publishers and service providers.

Implementation

The implementation of the Strategic Publication Framework will lead to a publication strategy developed by each scientific institute. Institutes and faculties will be supported in this effort by Leiden University Libraries (UBL), which will also coordinate the activities. To support this process, an implementation guide has been developed that comprises a number of questions related to the publication criteria outlined in the Strategic Publication Framework. Answering these questions will help develop a comprehensive publication strategy tailored to each unit and (sub)discipline.