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!