Category: INOSC

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Happy new year! Let’s meet up (28 Jan.)

Thank you to everyone who came to our re-launch meeting on 25 Nov. The energy in the room was brilliant, and we have some solid areas to pursue this year. It’s time to get together and make things happen!

Meeting details: 
Date: 28 Jan. (Tuesday)
Time: 11am-noon
Location: Cairnes Biz Hub, CA239d
Register for the next OSCG meeting. 

Here are some other events around Ireland that you might be interested in over the next month:

· 21 Jan. (Tuesday): ReproducibiliTea Galway journal club (in person): After a unanimous vote, we’ll be discussing “Nobel and novice: Author prominence affects peer review” (Huber et al., 2022). Register for ReproducibiliTea Galway.

· 23 Jan. (Thursday): One Year with the Irish Open Access Monitor – Data Quality & Text Mining. The Irish National Open Access Monitor is a NORF-funded project to develop a comprehensive view of open access activity in Ireland. This webinar will be a presentation by IReL/OpenAIRE on on data quality practices in the Monitor, recent updates, and the role of AI and text mining in enhancing Monitor insights. Register for the Irish Open Access Monitor webinar.

· 5 Feb. (Wednesday): Open Access Policy Framework: Driving Accessibility in Humanities Research – presentation by the SCOIR (Secondary rights, Copyright, Open access, Institutional policies, and Rights retention) team focusing on its institutional Open Access Policy Framework and its implications for humanities scholarship. SCOIR is a NORF-funded project to unharness the power of open research. This session will explore the framework’s principles, goals, and strategies to enhance the accessibility and dissemination of research outputs in the field of humanities. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, or policymaker, this event provides an opportunity to engage in critical discussions about how open access policies can shape the future of academic publishing and ensure equitable access to knowledge. Your insights and feedback will help refine the Policy framework. Register for the SCOIR webinar.

· 12 Feb. (Wednesday): The potential of research assessment reforms to support the pursuit of societal impacts – presentation by Dr. Lizzie Gadd, Head of Research Culture & Assessment at Loughborough University. Dr. Gadd chairs the International Network Of Research Management Societies (INORMS) Research Evaluation Group and is a Vice Chair of the Coalition on Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). Dr. Gadd’s presentation will explore some of the issues raised in Prof. Dónal Leech’s presentation at the Open Research Forum in December. This webinar is hosted by the University of Galway Research Office. Register for the Research Impact webinar.

If you have any questions, contact Dr. Jen Smith, Open Research Librarian, University of Galway.

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Welcome to the Open Scholarship Community Sussex!

Open Scholarship Community Sussex (OSCS) is a new initiative at the University of Sussex to bring together people interested in Open Research. We aim to provide a space for everyone to participate in Open Science/Research projects, to share information and best practice, to develop & deliver courses and knowledge-sharing, and to be a community hub for anyone interested in any aspect of Open Research.

2025 is set to be a big year for OSCS. Community is the means by which we can disrupt the traditional model of scholarly research and publication and forge a path that’s open, equitable, and far-reaching. We want to proactively build this community at Sussex through OSCS and create a better research environment for all. We’ll be kicking-off with discussion focused events that look at how we can challenge the predominant models of conducting and publishing research by investing in open alternatives.

If you want to get involved or to find out more, please email Andre Maia Chagas A.Maia-Chagas@sussex.ac.uk or Sam Nesbit sfn20@sussex.ac.uk.

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This is Open Science Community Umeå

Our Mission 

Open Science Community Umeå (OSCU) aspires to be a platform where researchers, academic professionals, and students can meet, discuss, collaborate, and act. We strive to support a research culture that encourages openness, collaboration, reproducibility, and accountability at Umeå University.  

Join us! 

Therefore, we invite all researchers and students at UmU who share our belief in Open Science to join our community. Come learn what you can do to improve the way research is conducted, shared, and disseminated. 

Our Vision

OSCU is a part of the International Network of Open Science & Scholarship Communities (INOSC). The groups within this network have a shared vision. We believe that the Open Science reform might be our time’s most significant shift in research policy and practice. The opportunity to influence developments is now. Therefore, we: 

  • Envision a process where grassroots communities of researchers and academic professionals are actively involved in progressing an Open Science future and a research system that benefits research and society as a whole.  
  • Want to facilitate and co-create a shift where research results and resources are made as available as possible and where people work together to further research and development.  
  • Want to see an Open Science system where scientific ideals and research integrity are genuinely supported and rewarded. 

Our Aims

  • Enable an active Open Science discussion on campus.  
  • Foster and facilitate Open Science practices.  
  • Be a platform for Open Science initiatives with a grassroots perspective.  
  • Be a natural discussion partner in policy making and development of infrastructure and support services.  
  • Stay curious and connected with Open Science-related initiatives and networks within and outside Umeå university and academia.  
  • Be welcoming and inclusive to all employment levels, including students, in all academic fields and research areas. 

Aim #1 Enable an active Open Science discussion on campus

To fully realize the benefits of Open Science for academia and society, it is crucial to shift the culture so that Open Science becomes simply “Science.” Open science needs to be contextualized and discussed in a way that gives people in academic and research settings a sense of agency and purpose to realize its place in society. Without this shift, Open Science risks the perception of being just another bureaucratic burden. An ongoing broad, multidisciplinary discussion giving voice to the academic grassroots community also safeguards against the possible implementation of counter-productive practices and frameworks. 

Aim #2 Foster and facilitate Open Science practices. 

Open Science is not just an idea or a policy, it is also a way to do research and academic activities in practice. The know-how and best practices are constantly evolving, and there is much to learn from each other. OSCU aims to function as a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences on how to include open science in academic and professional practice. The community also welcomes those just approaching Open Science practice to meet with more experienced peers who might have been early adopters. 

Aim #3 Be a platform for Open Science initiatives with a grassroots perspective. 

OSCU is a member-driven organisation. As such, we welcome initiatives and ideas for activities we can organise or participate in. We want to function as a platform for members to realise their Open Science related ideas and to self-create the activities and organisation we want at Umeå university at any given time. Besides creating these initiatives organically, we also aim to help provide frameworks to make concepts and ideas reality, for example guidelines for doing specific types of events and communication through our platforms. 

Aim #4 Be a natural discussion partner in policy making and development of infrastructure support services. 

OSC Umeå operates independently from institutional policy. We are a self-steering organisation and don’t receive instructions, targets, or tasks from other parties. Still, we do collaborate with other stakeholders and strive to be a discussion partner in the development of policy, infrastructure, training and institutional support – especially at Umeå university.  

  

Aim #5 Stay curious and connected with Open Science-related initiatives and networks within and outside Umeå university and academia.  

Open science is not a local affair or limited to universities and research organisations. Therefore, it is important to be curious about the world around us and to keep in touch with other initiatives and networks locally, nationally and internationally – inside and outside academic environments. 

 

Aim #6 Be welcoming and inclusive to all employment levels, including students, in all academic fields and research areas.  

We aim to be a pluralistic organisation that reflects the composition and diversity of the university. This is reflected in our strategic approach to networking and outreach, as well as in our internal structures and group culture.  

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The OSCNL Barcamp: New ideas in a historic setting

Last week, the picturesque city of Maastricht played host to the satellite event of the Open Science Festival—an unconference that brought together over 100 open science enthusiasts and professionals. Held in a venue steeped in history, with plenary sessions in an awe-inspiring aula that once served as a church, the day radiated excitement, blending tradition with the forward-looking spirit of open science.

The event started with a lively voting session, where participants pitched topics on the spot, with ideas ranging from citizen science initiatives to the integration of generative AI in research. Attendees cast their votes for the pitches that resonated with them, a total of 24 sessions were held throughout the day. Each session leader, or “chair,” was then given a dedicated classroom, where they guided deep dives into their chosen topic, sparking discussions and collecting fresh perspectives.

Here’s a glimpse at the session topics:

  • Using generative AI for research summaries
  • Designing an open access game called ‘Legacy’
  • Bridging the gap between researchers and data professionals
  • Citizen science
  • How to get institutional support
  • Creating a knowledge base for the open science communities (OSCs)

The aim of these session is for the community to continue to work on these projects. Participation after the Barcamp is also open for people that did not attend the Barcamp. You can explore all sessions in this Etherpad (Open Source alternative for Google Docs).

This diverse lineup of sessions allowed participants to explore new ideas and challenges in open science, each conversation contributing to our collective efforts.

The unconference format was perfectly suited to foster collaboration, allowing attendees to build on each other’s ideas, challenge assumptions, and propose novel solutions. This free-flowing structure allowed every participant to feel not just included but integral to the day’s outcome, giving rise to new collaborations and projects that extended well beyond the walls of the conference rooms.

As the day wound down, everyone gathered in the main hall for well-deserved pizza, where conversations continued to flow, and connections were solidified. This informal closing was a fitting end to a day rooted in spontaneity, creativity, and shared passion.

The barcamp proved that moving open science forward isn’t just about technology or tools—it’s about people coming together, sharing visions, and building a community committed to a future where knowledge is open and accessible to all. So be on the lookout and be sure to join next year’s barcamp!

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Celebrating OSC-NL Open Science Week: Highlights from OSC Twente, OSC Amsterdam, and OSC Leiden

During the OSC-NL National Open Science Week, local Open Science Communities across the Netherlands organized engaging events aimed at promoting open science practices and enhancing collaboration among researchers. Here are some of the highlights.

OSC Twente: Fostering Connections and Building Awareness

OSC Twente had a bustling week filled with eight events aimed at advocating for open science practices at the University of Twente (UT) and Saxion University of Applied Sciences.

  • 🔍 Information Booths:
    OSC Twente organized six information booth events—five at UT, one at Saxion. Here, researchers and support staff could learn all about OSC Twente and sign-up to become a member.
  • 🔗 CodeCheckNL Event:
    OSC Twente participated in the CodeCheckNL event, which fit seamlessly under the OSC-NL umbrella to raise awareness about open science practices. In this event, participants checked and verified each other’s research findings, starting from the raw data and the scripts that were used for analysis.
  • 🗣 Panel Discussion:
    The week culminated in a successful panel discussion held as part of the Emerging Technologies & Societal Transformations Conference 2024. This discussion brought together various stakeholders, enabling an enriching dialogue about open science involvement and its relevance amidst evolving technological landscapes.

OSC Amsterdam: Addressing Scientific Integrity

The Open Science Community Amsterdam took a significant step by hosting the Scientific Integrity Symposium on September 23. This event served as a platform for discussing essential issues surrounding the quality and integrity of scientific research—especially pertinent in an era where AI and emerging technologies introduce new challenges.

  • 🗝 Opening and Expert Talks:
    The event began with a keynote from UvA Open Science coordinator Frans Oort. This was followed by insights from international and national experts such as Elisabeth Bik, Ben Mol, Mariëtte van den Hoven, and Gerben ter Riet. Their talks focused on the prevalence of scientific misconduct and the urgent need for enhanced measures to ensure research integrity.
  • ⚠️ Shocking Statistics:
    The symposium highlighted concerning statistics, with Ben Mol estimating that around 30% of randomized controlled trials in women’s health may be fabricated. Elisabeth Bik identified over 3,000 potentially fraudulent articles in biomedical research. Such revelations emphasize the crucial need for openness and transparency in the research cycle.
  • 🌱 Encouraging a Culture of Integrity:
    Despite the challenges presented, the symposium provided a hopeful perspective by emphasizing the importance of fostering an environment that supports research integrity. Panels led by experts encouraged researchers to speak up and engage in training provided by initiatives like the Dutch Research Integrity Network (NRIN) and join their local Open Science Community.

OSC Leiden: Making support for taking your next step in Open Science visible

OSC Leiden contributed to the Open Science Week with a series of events focused on making the existing support for open science practices visible.

  • 🏫 Information Booth: The OSCL Information Booth visited different faculties each day of the OS week. At this booth, people were inspired to take their next steps with the relevant support in that particular faculty readily present to answer any questions.
  • 📚 Lecture on FAIR Implementation Profiles:
    A key event at OSC Leiden was a lecture on FAIR Implementation Profiles (FIPs). The sessions explored how researchers can improve the reusability of their data by adhering to FAIR principles, fostering a culture of better data management.
  • 🤖 Open Science and AI Discussions:
    Another focus at OSC Leiden was the intersection of open science and AI, exploring how AI technologies can both aid and challenge open science initiatives. Participants discussed the ethical implications of using AI in research and how AI could be leveraged to make science more transparent and accessible.

Conclusion

The OSC-NL National Open Science Week was a remarkable showcase of how local OSCs are making strides in promoting open science. The blend of practical engagement, collaborative initiatives, and thought-provoking discussions set a strong foundation for continued growth and awareness in the scientific community.

For those interested in exploring the full program of events, OSC Twente has a detailed list available here, and slides from the OSC Amsterdam symposium can be found on their OSCA repository here. The full program of the activities of OSC Leiden can be found here. 

Let’s continue the momentum and work collectively towards a more open scientific community!

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OSC-NL National Open Science Week from 23 to 27 September 2024

To celebrate and recognize the crucial role of Open Science in the advancement of science, the Network of Open Science Communities in the Netherlands (OSC-NL) organises its first OSC-NL National Open Science Week from 23 to 27 September 2024.

Although Open Science contributes to more transparent and inclusive research, its practical implementation is often challenging.

This Open Science Week aims to address these challenges by raising awareness of the various support services and structures that exist, such as local and thematic Digital Competency Centers, Open Science Programmes, Open Science Communities (OSCs) etc. Designed to facilitate the application of Open Science principles, these resources provide researchers and research supporters with the tools and funding necessary to adopt more open and collaborative research practices.  Read more

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OpenFest2024

Co-delivered by the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, OpenFest is our flagship celebration and exploration of open research, providing an opportunity to explore current issues, share experiences, and consider how open research can be applied in your discipline. Full details and links to registration available here

Open Research @ Sheffield Day 1 – talks and presentations at the University of Sheffield

Tuesday 10th September, 10.00am-3.10pm 

In person with hybrid capability, The Diamond, Workrooms 1&2

This event includes a series of talks and presentations that explore current practice and/or areas of development or potential in open research, from sharing the outputs of practice-based research to developing training around reproducible research software. We’ll showcase the successful projects from the recent Unleash Your Data & Software funding competition, as well as exploring the new TUoS Research Culture Strategy & Action Plan. The event will culminate in the launch of the University of Sheffield’s new Office for Open Research and Scholarship.

Programme

Wednesday 11 September 2024, 10.00am-4.00pm

Online

To what extent, and in what ways, is the future of research culture open? What practices are and will be central in establishing and embedding a culture of research openness? What factors impede efforts to achieve an open research culture, and how best can researchers and other professionals address these? Our online symposium aims to create space for colleagues across the UK and internationally to explore these and related ideas.

Programme

Open Research @ Sheffield Day 2 – open research workshops at Sheffield Hallam University

Thursday 12th September 2024, 10.00am-3.10pm

In person, Sheffield Hallam University

This event includes workshops on ‘Open ALL OERs- Making educational resources open and reusable’ and ‘Promoting Open Research via different communication channels’, as well as the opportunity to build networks and connections between TUoS and Sheffield Hallam.

Programme

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Open Science in Africa – the Case for Open Science in Crisis Management

On the Thursday 23 May 2024, Dr Rania Elsayed (North African Open Science Platform Regional Node; OSC North-Africa) and Dr Loek Brinkman (INOSC) hosted an online meeting on how to stimulate the transition to Open Science in African countries, focusing on the relevance of Open Science in response to crisis situations. The meeting was attended by colleagues from Kenya, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Belgium, France, China, and The Netherlands.

Loek gave an introduction on how the International Network of Open Science Communities (INOSC) facilitates local Open Science Communities to engage researchers to adopt Open Science practices. Doaa Abdel Kader and Umar Ahmed, from OSC Egypt and OSC Nigeria, respectively, shared their experiences in setting-up and managing their local Open Science Clouds (OSCs).

Francis Crawley from the CODATA International Data Policy Committee (IDPC) gave a presentation on the role of data policy in Open Science for addressing crisis situations (such as in cases of health emergencies, natural disasters, and geopolitical conflicts). He pointed to the work of the UNESCO-CODATA Working Group on Data Policy for Times of Crisis Facilitated by Open Science (DPTC) in developing global guidance on how policies can be shaped to promote Open Science during crises, highlighting the necessity for policy alignment at institutional and (inter)national levels. In order to receive this alignment between science and societal outcomes, particularly in terms of crises, he discussed the need for aligning the work of researchers with the more expressed principles, values, and impact being pursued by the IDPC in the context of the Coalition for the Advancement of Research Assessment’s Working Group on ‘Ethics and Research Integrity Policy in Responsible Research Assessment for Data and Artificial Intelligence (CoARA-ERIP). This science-policy brief from the recent UN STI 2024 Forum provides a general global framework.

Simon Hodson discussed the overall work of CODATA in contributing to a global discussion on open science. Lili Zhang briefly discussed the work of the Global Open Science Cloud (GOSC).

In the subsequent discussion it became apparent that for African countries, a pragmatic approach was needed as well as a revision in funding paradigms if scientists would be motivated to work in Open Science frameworks. This included the need for practical examples and use cases clearly showing the benefits of open data, AI, and publication practices in order to communicate the added benefits and return-on-investment. Critical here was the incentive and reward systems that would move people to Open Science, not just in a broad international or even continental sense, but also nationally and sub-nationally, within research institutions and higher education facilities where such policies and practices can be stimulated, advanced, and evaluated. Local Open Science Communities may play a crucial role, not only by accelerating the uptake of Open Science practices, but also by providing input on policies and incentive structures from the researchers perspective.

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Changing Research Culture

9th July 2024, 10am-3pm

Workroom 2, the Wave, University of Sheffield

In person, with online attendance available for keynote talks only

In anticipation of REF2029’s heightened emphasis on People, Culture and Environment, ‘research culture’ is increasingly coming into scope as a focus of attention for UK institutions. But critical and reflective work is needed to avoid the term becoming, like ‘excellence’ itself, a floating signifier that obscures the genuine conditions, processes and limitations of academic practice. 

This one-day workshop will address this task with a particular focus on practices around openness and transparency. With reference to UKRIO’s component principles of research integrity, we will examine the degree to which open practices present a necessary condition of a culture of research integrity and inclusion and explore the extent to which embedding and facilitating open practices offers a significant mechanism of culture change. 

Keynote speakers:

  • Tanita Casci, Director, Research Strategy & Policy Unit, University of Oxford
  • Stephen Curry, College Consul and Professor of Natural Science, Imperial College London, and Chair of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA)

More details and booking links: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/openresearch/events/changing-research-culture 

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