European science funders back open access research

Eleven of Europe’s largest research funders have announced that they will only fund research grants if the results are published in open-access, non-paywalled journals. Beginning in 2020, the funders, responsible for spending €7.6bn on research grants, will no longer support paywalled or hybrid journals – the latter have a 6- 12-month delay before research becomes open access. EU Research Ministers have previously promised to make all new papers open access by 2020.

‘We think this could create a tipping point,’ said Marc Schiltz, President of Science Europe, who spearheaded the plan. ‘Really the idea was to make a big, decisive step – not to come up with another statement or an expression of intent.’

However, the announcement has frustrated publishers, with an AAAS representative saying, ‘Implementing such a plan, in our view, would disrupt scholarly communications, be a disservice to researchers, and impinge academic freedom.’

West Midlands becomes first large-scale 5G testbed

The West Midlands has been announced as the winning region of a £50m project to trial high-speed connectivity as part of a large-scale 5G testbed. The multi-city plan will involve Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton. Initial plans include improving services in the healthcare, construction, and automotive sectors, including hosting remote hospital outpatient appointments and the live stream of CCTV from public transport buses to combat anti-social behaviour.

‘5G has the potential to dramatically transform the way we go about our daily lives, and we want the citizens of the UK to be amongst the first to experience all the opportunities and benefits this new technology will bring,’ said Digital Minister Margot James. ‘The West Midlands testbed, which is the first of its kind anywhere in the world, will be instrumental in helping us realise this ambition.’ 

Scottish quantum tech to receive £80m

Four development centres across Scotland are set to benefit from an £80m investment from the government over five years to develop quantum technology that will help emergency services. The announcement – made by Chancellor Philip Hammond last week – hopes to attract more jobs and investment to the area by creating ‘cutting-edge’ X-ray imaging that could be used in search-and-rescue missions and hostage situations.

Hammond said: ‘The UK is a world leader in quantum technologies, but others are investing hard to catch up with us. The £80 million in new funding […] will ensure that we remain at the forefront of this exciting technological revolution. Technological leadership boosts our economy and our productivity, meaning higher growth and higher wages.’