Transformative agreements, also known as “read and publish” agreements, have been a hot topic in the academic publishing world for the past few years. These agreements allow researchers and institutions to access scholarly content while also enabling them to publish their own research in reputable journals. One type of transformative agreement that has been gaining traction is the transformative “caul” agreement.
A caul agreement, also known as a “clawback” agreement, is a type of transformative agreement that provides a guarantee to publishers that they will receive a certain amount of revenue from their content. This revenue is typically generated through article processing charges (APCs), which are paid by institutions or authors in order to publish their work. In a caul agreement, the publisher is guaranteed a set percentage of the APC revenue, which is typically between 70-90%. The remaining revenue is then split between the institution and the publisher.
Caul agreements have several benefits for both publishers and institutions. For publishers, they provide a stable revenue stream that is not dependent on subscription fees. This can be particularly beneficial for smaller publishers who may struggle to compete with larger publishers with more resources. For institutions, caul agreements provide access to a larger number of journals while also incentivizing authors to publish their work in reputable journals. This can be particularly valuable for institutions that are looking to improve their research output and impact.
Caul agreements are also beneficial for authors, as they provide a clear pathway for publishing their work in high-quality journals. This can be particularly important for early-career researchers who may struggle to navigate the complex world of scholarly publishing. By providing a clear pathway for publication, caul agreements can help to increase the visibility and impact of research.
However, caul agreements are not without their challenges. One major concern is that they may incentivize publishers to focus on publishing articles with higher APCs, rather than prioritizing the quality of the research. This could ultimately lead to a decrease in the overall quality of scholarly content. Additionally, caul agreements may not be feasible for all publishers, particularly those that rely heavily on subscription revenue.
Overall, caul agreements represent an important development in the world of scholarly publishing. By providing a clear pathway for publication while also ensuring a stable revenue stream for publishers, these agreements have the potential to transform the way that research is disseminated and accessed. However, it will be important for publishers, institutions, and authors to work together to ensure that caul agreements are implemented in a way that prioritizes the quality of research and benefits all stakeholders involved.