Roundtable discussion on the Role of RPOs and RFOs in Open Science Monitoring

• June 9, 2025

A Joint Session by: UNESCO, OPUS, OpenAIRE and OSMI

As Open Science frameworks proliferate across Europe and beyond, a critical question emerges: how do we translate monitoring policies into real, sustainable institutional practices?

In this high-stakes roundtable, five leading initiatives (each shaping the future of Open Science) will come together to explore the practical realities behind policy implementation. The session will address the pressures facing research-performing (RPO) and research-funding organisations (RFO) as they navigate rising demands for accountability, transparency, and alignment.

Key topics include:

• Institutional-level engagement with EU monitoring recommendations
• Feasibility and cost concerns for implementation
• Researcher engagement and resistance
• Gaps between policy vision and operational capacity
• Alignment with national and global monitoring efforts

The session will move beyond theory to surface lived experiences, assumptions, and barriers. Most importantly, active audience participation is strongly encouraged, especially from those in RPOs and RFOs. Your voice will help uncover what truly enables or hinders monitoring integration on the ground.

Event Details:

• Title: The Role of RPOs and RFOs in Open Science Monitoring: Connecting Institutional Practices to Policy Aggregation
• Date: Tuesday, 8 July 2025
• Time: 14:30 – 17:00 CEST
• Location: Online
• Organised by: UNESCO, OPUS, OpenAIRE, OSMI as part of the Open Science: Monitoring Progress, Assessing Impact Conference

14:15 – 14:30
OPUS Introduction and Roundtable Discussion on the Role of RPOs and RFOs in Open Science Monitoring

14:30–16:30
The Role of RPOs and RFOs in Open Science Monitoring:
Connecting Institutional Practices to Policy Aggregation
Joint session by UNESCO, OPUS, OpenAIRE and OSMI
Moderated by: Gareth O’Neill (Principal Consultant on Open Science, Technopolis Group Belgium, an OPUS consortium partner)

Roundtable Contributors:

• Manuel Ricardo Galindo Moreno, Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, UNESCO
• Natalia Manola, CEO, OpenAIRE AMKE
• Laetitia Bracco, OSMI Co-coordinator, Université de Lorraine
• Alina Irimia, Open science projects coordinator at UEFISCDI-Romania, OPUS pilot RFO organisation
• Nataša Jakominić Marot, Head of Research and Innovation at the University of Rijeka (Croatia), OPUS pilot RPO organisation

As Open Science monitoring frameworks multiply across Europe and globally, research-performing and funding organisations (RPOs and RFOs) are increasingly expected to implement, report on, and align with evolving expectations. However, the practical realities of translating policy into institutional practice remain complex.

This roundtable brings together contributors from international and European initiatives to reflect on institutional uptake of Open Science monitoring and researcher assessment frameworks. Each speaker will provide a brief input grounded in their context, followed by a moderated discussion addressing barriers, synergies, and lessons learnt.

16:30 – 17:00
Wrap-up and Closing
Presented by UNESCO

17:00
Networking & Cocktail Reception

• Location: Online
• Registration: Click here

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Register also for the OPUS Final Conference: July 9-10, 2025

The OPUS (Open and Universal Science Project) Consortium will hold its Final Conference at the UNESCO International Institute of Educational Planning (IIEP) in Paris, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the future of Open Science and responsible research practices in Europe.

For more on the OPUS Final Conference (July 9-10, 2025), visit here.