Data and data analytics are playing an increasingly central role at higher education institutions, and the academic community is at a critical juncture. The growing trend of publisher acquisition of critical infrastructure has underscored a pressing need to understand the changing landscape and develop actions that institutions can—individually and collectively—take to maintain and regain control of data infrastructure. These actions will determine who ultimately controls the research and education process and whether we meaningfully address inequities created by legacy players or simply recreate them in new ways. These decisions will also shape libraries’ role in the scholarly enterprise, now and for the future.
To help inform our work to regain and maintain community ownership over data and data infrastructure, SPARC has produced a series of analyses to aid our member institutions and the broader community.
Landscape Analysis & Roadmap for Action
SPARC Landscape Analysis
This report provides a comprehensive look at the growing trend of commercial acquisition of critical infrastructure in higher education by mapping current players, their strategies, and the implications for libraries and institutions.
SPARC Roadmap for Action
This follow-up offers a solution-focused set of potential steps stakeholders can take, both individually and collectively, to respond to shifts in academic publishing and data analytics.
2020 Update: SPARC Landscape Analysis & Roadmap for Action
This update reviews how major companies shifted toward research assessment and consolidated content-licensing deals in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and provides fresh analysis of the market landscape.
2021 Update: SPARC Landscape Analysis & Roadmap for Action
This 2021 update examines ongoing and emerging challenges from the concentration of scholarly communications and data analytics infrastructure and provides updated strategic recommendations.