Open Science: on the way to the “new normal” of science

Kiel/Hamburg, 9 March 2021: The ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics and the Leibniz Research Alliance Open Science hosted the International Open Science Conference from 17 to 19 February 2021. 384 participants from Europe, Asia, Australia and North America discussed the concrete implementation of Open Science in practice.

Beween 17 and 19 February 2021, 384 participants from 33 countries met virtually at the Open Science Conference to discuss Open Science in action. This year the focus was on global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and science communication. The conference chair, Professor Klaus Tochtermann, stated in his opening address that Open Science is on a good way to becoming the “new normal” of good scientific practice and is evolving rapidly.

The following core issues were addressed in the various contributions:

• Open Science is not a rigid concept. The various actors discuss their understanding of Open Science and keep developing it further. A current topic is how to ensure equal access to Open Science worldwide, both technically and financially. This also constitutes a central aspect of the „UNESCO Recommendation of Open Science“, which aims for a global consensus on Open Science and gives recommendations for concrete measures.
• The sustainable operation of infrastructures for Open Science must be addressed more strongly by all stakeholders in the science system. A sustainable infrastructure cannot be ensured unless all involved act in concert.
• Dialogue, exchange and collaboration at all levels are essential for implementing Open Science. The communities of individual disciplines as well as their neighbouring disciplines must identify examples of best practice, communicate them and learn from them. This exchange also adds to the gradual development of the incentive system.
• The strong involvement of various grassroot movements continues giving important impulses to the furthering of Open Science and initiating changes. This was shown by the teaching of open practices in the curricula of early career researchers.
• The Covid-19 pandemic has given a fundamental thrust to Open Science. This potential must be used fully. Opening up research data has shown how science can work with openness. But the pandemic has also shown up deficits, especially in the area of science communication. Here the lesson has been that in the past it has not been made sufficiently clear how the scientific cosmos operates. This must be urgently rectified so that the public gains an informed trust in science.

Look back with us at the Open Science Conference 2021:

The programme
The slides and posters
The speakers
The press photos

About the Open Science Conference:

The Open Science Conference is the eighth international conference of the Leibniz Research Alliance Open Science. The conference addresses the growing international Open Science movement andoffers a unique platform for researchers, experts from libraries and science policy, and other stakeholders to discuss and share ideas and practical experiences The International Open Science Conference is hosted by the ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics and the Leibniz Research Alliance Open Science.