Institutions must shortly decide whether to accept the deals for 2026-28 negotiated by Jisc on behalf of the UK sector following nine months of talks. York was one of three UK universities, alongside Sheffield and Surrey, not to renew its deal with Elsevier at the start of 2025. “There are more institutions stepping away than have been public about it,” he said. “It’s more of a silent decoupling rather than planting a flag in the ground for everyone to see,” explained Prosser, stating the number exiting Elsevier deals could be “well into double figures, either now or in a year or so”. “Some institutions might stay a year or two in the Elsevier deal and then leave, as you can always move out of these deals if it’s financially necessary,” he said.

Source: The Times February 06, 2026 18:47 UTC