Open access Elements
Cambridge Elements is a new concept in academic publishing, a primarily digital product combining the best features of journals and books.
We support open access for Elements in line with our commitment to explore publishing models that are financially sustainable, scalable and in accordance with our mission to disseminate knowledge at the highest international levels of excellence.
We facilitate OA in Elements both through our Gold OA publishing programme and through our Green OA policy.
Gold open access Elements
Under this model, the author (or a funder) pays a processing charge and an online version of the Element is published under a Creative Commons license. Print and other digital formats (such as a Kindle version) are available for purchase.
We encourage interested authors to contact the relevant subject editor to discuss options.
We now allow Elements to be converted to open access retrospectively. Please contact your Cambridge editor for more information.
Gold OA Elements - Frequently asked questions
Green open access policy for Elements
Many authors wish to post or archive copies of their work on their website or in institutional repositories; and in some cases they are encouraged or required to do so by their funders.
If your publishing agreement with Cambridge University Press contains a Green Open Access clause, unless it states otherwise you can post your manuscript in line with our Green OA policy. If your agreement does not contain a Green OA clause, you can contact us via openresearch@cambridge.org to check whether your work is covered by our policy.
Our Green OA policy also specifies what content can be shared in social sharing sites. See our social sharing page for more background information about social sharing.
Elements are eligible for submission to the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF), but are not covered by the REF Open Access policy.
Policy (Version 1.0)
Our Green OA policy allows you to post your original Elements manuscript online. The work is contracted under standard publishing terms and therefore any reproduction of the posted text is governed by the usual copyright restrictions.
While your manuscript is under review with us and before it is under contract, you may deposit it as you wish. However, there are restrictions on online posting of the final version that has been accepted at the start of production and of the published book (see below).
When posting a manuscript or published work, please ensure you:
Include appropriate wording such as: ‘This material has been published in [Title] by [Author]. This version is free to view and download for personal use only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © insert copyright holder.’
Include a link to the Element in cambridge.org.
Please also update your post of a submitted manuscript with the above wording and links once the Element is published.
You may only archive your original manuscript, as shown in the table below. We use the following definitions (adapted from NISO ):
SMUR (Submitted Manuscript Under Review): Any version of the manuscript that is under formal review for publication.
AM (Accepted Manuscript): The version of the manuscript that has been accepted for publication. This version may include revisions resulting from peer review but may be subject to further editorial input by Cambridge University Press.
VoR (Version of Record): The version that is formally published.
Personal webpage, non-commercial repositories, and commercial social sharing sites.
- SMUR: At any time
- AM: Not permitted
- VoR: Not permitted