The 'Essex Student Journal': demonstrating the benefits of diamond open access across the University of Essex and beyond

The Essex Student Journal is a diamond open access journal that publishes the work of undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Essex. The journal editor and all peer reviewers are postgraduate research students at Essex. The Essex Student Journal therefore prides itself on being run by students, for students. As well as being a working academic journal, it is also used as an educational tool that introduces University of Essex students and postgraduate researchers to open access publishing. Furthermore, it enables advocacy for diamond open access across the University and beyond, demonstrating the benefits and viability of diamond open access publishing to academic staff and senior leaders. This case study explores how, for relatively small investments, library teams can make a big impact with their students and staff when it comes to diamond open access publishing.