OPUS News

Madrid, September 25, 2023 – OpenAire, a leading force in the realm of open science, has kicked off the 4th Open Science Fair in Madrid, running from September 25th to 27th, 2023. This vibrant event seeks to foster cross-border connections, share best practices, and foster collaborative platforms.

Gareth O’Neill, a member of the OPUS team and Principal Consultant on Open Science, will grace the OS Fair 2023 with a presentation on the OPUS project.

OS FAIR 2023 is more than just a conference; it’s a beacon of open science advocacy. This year, it boasts a unique collaboration with FECYT, an institution under the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, as well as key European projects and global initiatives. Notably, OS FAIR 2023 takes place under the esteemed auspices of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The core objective of OS FAIR 2023 is to unite and empower open science communities and services worldwide. It’s a quest to unearth common practices in open science and to identify potent synergies for efficient service delivery. This event thrives on sharing experiences from diverse corners of the globe, each offering lessons that enrich the open science landscape.

Key Focus Areas at OS FAIR 2023:

1. Charting the Course for Next-Generation Open Science

• Advancing Research Assessment (RRA) and Open Science
• Exploring Alternative Assessment Approaches
• Valuing All Contributions to Scholarly Processes
• Fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Addressing Funding and Institutional Support

2. AI’s Impact on Open Science and Vice Versa

• Assessing AI Tools and Platforms in Research
• Delving into Ethical Considerations
• Navigating Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, and Knowledge Representation
• Unraveling Copyright and Legal Aspects, including Text and Data Mining, Reproducibility, Transparency, and Reusability

3. Innovation and Disruption in Scholarly Publishing

• Embracing Emerging Publishing Models
• Advocating Diamond Open Access
• Balancing Rights Retention
• Championing Multilingualism in Academic Publishing

4. Ensuring Fair Data, Software, and Hardware

• Fostering Collaborative Development
• Embracing Open Licensing and EU Data Legislation
• Prioritizing Reproducibility
• Enhancing Interoperability

5. Openness in Research and Education

• Promoting Open Education
• Embracing Open Educational Resources (OERs)

6. Public Engagement and Citizen Science

• Encouraging Community-Driven Research Initiatives
• Exploring Tools and Technology for Public Engagement
• Championing Open Data and Scientific Literacy

The OS FAIR 2023 is a call to action for all those who share a passion for open science. It’s a moment to glimpse the future of research, spark collaborations, and pave the way for future generations. The exchange of ideas here might well shape the landscape of open science for years to come. So, join in, contribute, and be a part of this transformative journey towards openness and collaboration in science.

Look at the programme here!

Gareth O’Neill, Principal Consultant on Open Science and a valuable member of the OPUS team, will share insights in two pivotal sessions at the upcoming EOSC Symposium 2023: “EOSC Future” and “OPUS and EOSC-A”.

From 20-22 September 2023, the EOSC Symposium will take place in Madrid, in the context of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The EOSC Symposium is organised by the EOSC Future project, together with the EOSC Tripartite collaboration (the EOSC Association, the EOSC Steering Board and the European Commission).

This year’s event will be fully hybrid, facilitating broader exchanges between stakeholders from ministries, policy makers, research organisations, service providers, research infrastructures and research communities driving the development of – and engagement with – the European Open Science Cloud. In the context of the EOSC Future project, the EOSC Symposium will also be a critical platform to showcase project achievements and key exploitable results.

The conference sessions will take place on Thursday 21 September, from 15.40-18.00 CEST. The unconference sessions are only available to in-person attendees.

*REMINDER: Registration for in-person attendance is closed, but you can still register as an online participant here*

8 NEW (UN)CONFERENCE SESSIONS

A few months ago they launched a vote for session proposal submissions on big issues, involving compelling speakers and perspectives from the EOSC community. They opened the vote up to registered in-person participants. Now the votes are in, and they are pleased to announce that we’ve selected not 6, but 8 unconference sessions to add to the event programme!

1 – Exploring the role of nodes in relation to the EOSC platform (EOSC Association)

This is a timely opportunity to explore the role of nodes in the EOSC platform and the interaction between architecture and policies. This session will use the following example questions as a means of focusing the discussion on the role of nodes in relation to the EOSC platform:

• What is the definition of a node? What must a node contain and what is optional? What defines the boundaries of one node from another?
• How do the different layers of policies for EOSC participation foreseen by the RoP task force map on to nodes?
• What policies need to apply at the EOSC platform level and what policies may vary by node?
• Who is responsible for such policies, how are they enforced and monitored?
• Who decides if a node can be admitted or excluded to the federation and on what basis?
• Are EOSC core and Exchange services common to the whole EOSC platform or does their implementation and access vary across nodes?

2 – Trust in Sharing Sensitive Data (University of Oslo & Nordic e-Infrastructure Collaboration (NeIC))

Trusted Research Environments are highly relevant when discussing the legal and technical challenges of implementing sensitive data use cases. Bringing together different stakeholders for a fruitful discussion and producing a set of recommendations is particularly useful for the community and would provide useful input for the EOSC association. We would provide answers on the data governance and legal framework for lawful and ethical data sharing among TREs, technical solutions for security, and trust between stakeholders. NeIC has extensive experience with TREs, and coordinated three sensitive data services projects, in addition to EOSC-Nordic.

3 – Data spaces in dialogue: Cultural heritage data as an essential resource for humanities research (Europeana Foundation)

This session aims to explore the interconnections between the common European data space for cultural heritage and EOSC, considering how EOSC itself can be seen as a Data Space for Research and Innovation, and giving the Social Sciences and Humanities domain more visibility within EOSC. Cultural heritage data is humanities research data and therefore, the common European data space for cultural heritage is essential for (digital) humanities research. The common European data space for Cultural Heritage will be increasingly a source of data also for EOSC, both in the form of datasets and research outputs resulting from computational analysis of cultural heritage data. Connecting data spaces is the way forward, and the sooner collaboration starts, the better interoperability is ensured.

4 – Digital twins and EOSC – Insights from BioDT (CSC – IT Center for Science)

BioDT is one of several projects aiming to establish a new type of platform based on digital twins to address important societal challenges, in the wider context of the EU Green Deal, Destination Earth and the EU Biodiversity Strategy specifically. It aims to provide a platform comprising digital twins to drive long-term biodiversity research and facilitate science-driven policy and rapid-response actions.
The proposed session will provide an opportunity to push the integration of these platforms with EOSC,
as BioDT in particular and various digital twins in general can strongly benefit from an integration in e-infrastructures.

5 – EOSC Symposium Community workshop – EOSC Node Value Proposition (SWITCH)

Recently the EC introduced in the technical specifications of the EOSC Procurement the concept of an ‘EOSC Node’, which is not well defined and has raised many questions in the community. This unconference workshop will focus on understanding what values an EOSC node could offer. The aim is not to address specific operational aspects, but on agreeing on a common understanding on what capabilities an ‘EOSC node’ could offer and how they can interact and federate with the EOSC EU node. The workshop will provide an opportunity to articulate a consolidated Value Proposition for different sets of stakeholders. The feedback is aimed to be from the widest possible range of stakeholders and those who were not able to contribute fully to other fora. This is your opportunity to contribute to the added value, definition and ideas around EOSC Nodes in an open forum.

6 – Leveraging global data communities in regional initiatives and cross-border infrastructures (Uppsala University / ELIXIR Sweden / NBIS, SciLifeLab)

This session will showcase how you can leverage global data organisations in the Data Together coalition, such as the Research Data Alliance (RDA), to strengthen and increase the impact of activities across your research organisation, infrastructure or EOSC project. It offers opportunities to exchange knowledge and discuss methods to support collaborations, identify bi-directional opportunities, and help in developing synergies. You will have the opportunity to outline and refine your own liaison strategies and to identify gaps and priorities for future work in this space.

7 – Harmonised PID practices for protected data (CSC – IT Center for Science)

When access has to be controlled to data, and sometimes even metadata, trustworthy identification of digital objects is crucial for robust and secure data management. Good PID management is extra important when dealing with sensitive data. PIDs for sensitive data have also been identified as an important question for the realisation of a FAIR EOSC. The session would dig into relevant use cases in the FAIR-IMPACT project and discuss our work regarding lifecycle, access and rights management and how this affects PIDs. In our use cases we bring together solutions from different domains to share knowledge and learn from each other to achieve interoperable, yet context friendly solutions. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know our work and to discuss this hot topic in EOSC.

8 – Why are Public Authorities not (yet) a relevant user group for EOSC, and what can we do to foster this? (EGI Foundation)

Despite public investment on EOSC development, the uptake to the wider public sector is not yet in the spotlight. The market potential from public authorities is huge and includes different types of users
ranging from small municipalities or regional administrations to the biggest national and transnational initiatives. In order to bring the user community closer to EOSC, DECIDO is setting up an EOSC Competence Center for Public Authorities and is collecting lessons learned from use cases from early adopters. Learn and discuss how public authorities can become a relevant user group for EOSC services, why this is important for EOSC, and what you can do to help to foster this.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS IN OPEN SCIENCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Two experts in their field have been selected to kick off this year’s Symposium:

• Joaquin Tintoré, Research Professor from the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and Director of SOCIB, the Coastal Ocean Observing and Forecasting System of the Balearic Islands (SOCIB) will guide us through the ‘Open Science principles applied to SOCIB’s Research infrastructure ocean observing activities and data’.
• Emanuela Girardi, founder and president of Pop AI (Popular Artificial intelligence), an association that investigates the impact that AI has on people’s daily lives and raises awareness among the public and companies on the benefits and potential risks of AI technologies. She is also the President of the ADRA (AI, Data, Robotics Association) and co-author of the Italian national AI strategy as a Member of the High-Level Expert Group of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. Emanuela will reflect on the potential impact of AI on research.

MAKING SPACE FOR DATA: JOINT SESSION ON EOSC & DATA SPACES

The Second EOSC and Data Spaces joint session will take place on Friday 22 September. Online attendance is open…and free! You’ll find the session description in the agenda, along with registration information, here.

CHECK OUT THE FINAL PROGRAMME

From keynote, big-picture plenaries, to more focused thematic sessions, it lists varied and thought-provoking sessions by speakers offering a wide array of perspectives, and a wealth of insights and knowledge-sharing opportunities that promise to address the key challenges for EOSC on the road ahead.

Find the full agenda now on the EOSC Symposium website!

The OPUS team has been hard at work for months, creating the first version of the OPUS Research Assessment Framework (RAF). This innovative tool is set to change the way we evaluate research. The framework provides a range of indicators and metrics specifically designed for research organizations and funding bodies to assess researchers for career advancement and grant applications. By using the OPUS RAF, research organizations can effectively evaluate the quality and impact of research while promoting the principles of Open Science. It’s important to note that the RAF also includes a focus on Open Science practices, providing recognition and incentives for these important aspects.

As part of the OPUS project, two key documents have been finalized to drive this initiative forward. Deliverable D.2.1 outlines interventions to test in pilot programs, focusing on rewards and incentives for researchers. Deliverable D.3.1 presents indicators to test in these pilot programs, covering metrics for Open Science practices.

The development of the RAF takes inspiration from influential policies and existing frameworks like the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), Leiden Manifesto for Research Metrics, Hong Kong Principles, and Recommendations by the Open Science Policy Platform (OSSP), among others. By incorporating elements from these important documents, the RAF aims to create a comprehensive assessment tool that combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches, covers research and non-research activities, and meets the unique needs of research organizations and funding bodies.

Throughout the development process, key stakeholders in research assessment and Open Science have played a crucial role. Collaboration with partners within the OPUS project, pilot organizations, the Advisory Board, and external stakeholders has helped shape the RAF. Input from pilot initiatives, targeted stakeholder feedback, and an open consultation with the wider research community will guide future improvements to the RAF.

The RAF offers a comprehensive set of indicators and metrics to assist in researcher assessment within research organizations and funding bodies. These activities are categorized into research, education, leadership, and valorization, allowing organizations to customize their assessment systems to their specific needs. The framework covers a broad range of activities and includes a dedicated focus on Open Science to ensure that both types of activities receive appropriate recognition and rewards.

Important Deliverables

Two separate deliverables under the OPUS project, Work Package 2 (WP2) – Interventions for Open Science (Rewards and Incentives for Researchers), and Work Package 3 (WP3) – Indicators and Metrics for Open Science (Rewards and Incentives for Researchers), have been finalized:

• D.2.1 Interventions to Test in the Pilots to support the implementation of the RAF, Deliverable D2.1 outlines various interventions available for testing during the pilot phase of the project. These interventions provide practical support for research organizations and funding bodies and can be used alongside the RAF framework. The indicators and metrics from the RAF will undergo rigorous testing in selected pilot organizations to ensure their effectiveness.
• D.3.1 Indicators to Test in the Pilots: Deliverable D3.1 provides in-depth insights into the guiding principles, structure, and implementation of the RAF. It features generic indicators and metrics in Section 3 and Open Science indicators and metrics in Section 4. The report concludes with a discussion on future steps and the role of the OPUS project. For a detailed overview, including all indicators and metrics, you can refer to Appendix 1, which presents the full RAF.

What’s Next?

With the finalization of these two critical deliverables, the OPUS project has achieved a significant milestone in research evaluation. To enhance its effectiveness, the developers will conduct comprehensive testing and gather feedback over the next eighteen months. Valuable feedback on potential areas for improvement, as well as the appropriateness of chosen categories and indicators, will refine the framework.

Pilot institutions will play a crucial role in thoroughly testing the framework and providing valuable feedback on both the indicators and interventions. This iterative process ensures that the OPUS RAF becomes a practical and user-friendly tool for European research organizations and funding bodies.

A sector-wide consultation will engage key organizations, projects, and sector partners, gathering insights and perspectives from various stakeholders in the research community. By involving diverse voices, the final version of the OPUS framework will be more comprehensive and relevant.

As the OPUS RAF undergoes further refinement and collaboration, it holds the promise of shaping research evaluation practices in a profound way. The project’s dedication to continuous improvement and engagement with stakeholders ensures that the final version of the OPUS RAF will meet the needs of the research community, driving positive change and progress.

Stay tuned for updates as the OPUS project takes research assessment into a new era of transformation. We will provide detailed insights into each deliverable, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the progress made and the significance of these developments. Keep an eye out for more information on each deliverable in the coming days.

As an important initiative that aims to help reform research assessment and incentivize researchers to practice Open Science, the OPUS project has started with Work Package 1 (WP1) State-of-the-Art which conducted an analysis of initiatives and literature related to Open Science.

In simple terms, the OPUS project team members analysed Open Science initiatives and literature that encourage researchers to practice Open Science. The first task (Task 1.1 within WP1) run by our team members was a State-of-the-Art analysis on Open Science initiatives, that covered an analysis of projects linked to Open Science and key experts, organizations, and networks associated with Open Science. It also produced a stakeholder engagement plan, focusing on means of engaging key target actors to support their input in the other two work packages of the project: WP2 (developing interventions for RPOs and RFOs to implement a reformed research(er) assessment system that incentivises and rewards Open Science) and WP3 (developing indicators and metrics for a reformed assessment system at RPOs and RFOs that incentivises and rewards Open Science).

Deliverable 1.1 “Initial State of the Art on Open Science Initiatives” aims to provide an initial structured input to the project’s overall objective to develop coordination and support measures to reform the assessment of research and researchers at Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) and Research Funding Organisations (RFOs) towards a system that incentivizes and rewards researchers to practice Open Science.

At the GraspOS kickoff meeting that is being held today at the Athens University History (Athens, Greece), OPUS project partner Technopolis Group, and its representative Gareth O’Neill – Principal Consultant on Open Science, presented what the OPUS does when it comes to a set of interventions for Open Science toward a system that incentivises and rewards researchers to take up practices of providing open access to research outputs, early and open sharing of research, participation in open peer-review, measures to ensure reproducibility of results, and involving all stakeholders in co-creation.

GraspOS (next Generation Research Assessment to Promote Open Science) is a new project funded under the EOSC umbrella. The project builds on previous work and aims to promote Responsible Research Assessment by enabling a rewards and recognition system based on a new generation of (qualitative or quantitative) metrics and indicators. GraspOS will develop, assess and put into operation an open and trusted federated infrastructure for next generation research metrics and indicators. Developing an Open Science Assessment Framework (OSAF) is shown as a key project objective. The 18-partner GraspOS project consortium shows again some overlap with the consortia for the other two EOSC projects presented previously, FAIRCORE4EOSC and FAIR-IMPACT.

O’Neill explained that the goal of OPUS is to develop coordination and support measures to reform the assessment of research(ers), along with the following:

• Conduct a comprehensive state-of-the-art on existing literature and initiatives for Open Science
• Develop a comprehensive set of interventions to implement Open Science at RPOs and RFOs
• Develop realistic indicators and metrics to monitor and drive Open Science at RPOs and RFOs
• Test the interventions and indicators and metrics via action plans in pilots at RPOs and RFOs
• Utilise a stakeholder-driven feedback loop to develop, monitor, refine, and validate actions
• Synthesise outcomes into policy briefs and a revised OS-CAM2 for research(er) assessment.

OPUS is is an EU-funded project being implemented in the period from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2025 by an eighteen-organisations consortium led by The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN). All 18 organisations implementing the OPUS project are active at the European level spanning the whole spectrum of Open Science.

OPUS is is an EU-funded project being implemented in the period from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2025 by an eighteen-organisations consortium led by The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN). All 18 organisations implementing the OPUS project are active at the European level spanning the whole spectrum of Open Science.

Presentation available here.