The University of Cyprus played a central role in yesterday’s OPUS Mutual Learning workshop, where Panagiotis Moiras, Director of the Research and Innovation Support Service (RISS), offered a compelling overview of the university’s contributions to the advancement of open science—both within the institution and on a national scale.

In his address, Mr Moiras reflected on the university’s rapid development, despite its relatively young age, highlighting its deepening collaborations and growing impact on the wider Cypriot research community. A key milestone, he noted, came in 2008 when the University of Cyprus became the first institution in the country to sign the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities. Since then, the university has been a driving force in promoting open science principles at both institutional and national levels.

Two landmark achievements stood out in the presentation. First, the university’s instrumental role in shaping national policy led to the approval of Cyprus’s open science frameworks in 2016 and again in 2022. These were the result of extensive collaboration with key government bodies, including the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. Secondly, Mr Moiras pointed to the university library’s unique position as the sole national Open Access Desk for OpenAIRE in Cyprus. Over the years, the library has evolved into a trusted knowledge hub, regularly engaging researchers through webinars, conferences, and information days.

As part of its practical efforts, the University of Cyprus has implemented policies aligned with European and global standards, established vital research infrastructure such as the Gnosis repository, and actively contributed to initiatives like Zenodo and CoARA. These actions underscore the university’s commitment to embedding open science into its research culture.

“The journey of open science in Cyprus started from our university,” he stated proudly. He acknowledged that while significant progress had been made, the path ahead remains long and complex, requiring a shift in research culture built over decades. Nonetheless, he affirmed the university’s dedication to continuing this transformation—for the benefit of a more transparent, inclusive, and equitable research landscape.

The day began with a keynote address by Vasiliki (Sylvia) V. Koukounidou, Coordinator of UCY’s Digitisation and Archives Office, who narrated UCY’s evolving journey with Open Science. Koukounidou recounted milestones in embedding openness into institutional processes—from policy design to cultural transformation, and highlighted the role of internal networks, such as the establishment of open science champions and the active engagement of early-career researchers, while acknowledging the persistent challenges, particularly in aligning personal motivations with institutional goals.

University of Rijeka reported on the hurdles of aligning national and institutional policies, while highlighting the crucial role of early career researchers. The University of Rijeka in Croatia has adopted a distinctive approach to its participation in the OPUS project, focusing on targeted interventions aligned with strategic objectives for advancing open science practices. Unlike other institutions involved in the initiative, Rijeka concentrated its efforts on a specific cohort of 17 early-career researchers from the Faculty of Law. These researchers were defined as individuals who either had not yet obtained a PhD or had completed their doctorate within the last five years.

Expanding Engagement Beyond the Cohort

While the pilot activities were initially tailored for this cohort, their relevance quickly extended to a broader audience. Consequently, sessions were opened to all interested parties while maintaining personalised support for the cohort to address their specific needs. This dual approach ensured inclusivity while preserving the focused nature of the interventions.

Collaborative Efforts and Institutional Support

The success of Rijeka’s pilot was underpinned by extensive collaboration across university departments. Although leadership figures such as Sasha and colleagues were prominent in meetings, a larger team contributed behind the scenes. The University Library played a pivotal role through its Center for Open Science and Scientific Information Management, which facilitated many activities. Additionally, the newly established Science Outreach Centre provided timely support during its formative stages, enabling joint piloting of initiatives. A dedicated librarian at the Faculty of Law further enhanced the pilot’s implementation by serving as a key contact point and resource.

Alignment with Broader Initiatives

The timing of OPUS has been particularly beneficial for University of Rijeka, coinciding with efforts to update its Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) Action Plan. Activities under OPUS have been coordinated with other projects such as COARA Boost Project OSCAR, launched in collaboration with the University of Cyprus.

Since the last mutual learning exercise in Bucharest (Month 9), several milestones have been reached:

• Policy Revision: The university’s open science policy was revised and adopted earlier this year.
• Training Sessions: Tailored one-on-one training sessions were delivered to early-career researchers on topics such as open access publishing, repository usage, and open science practices. Public speaking and outreach workshops added practical skills to the programme.
• EduDoc Platform: A dedicated subpage called EduDoc was launched to centralise resources for PhD students and early-career researchers.
• Open Science Cafés: Six cafés have been hosted so far, exceeding initial targets, with a seventh planned. These popular events foster discussion and engagement on open science topics suggested by participants.
• New Repositories: Platforms for publications, video materials, and outreach efforts were established to ensure accessibility and continuity.

Metrics and Progress Tracking

The pilot has demonstrated measurable success through structured indicators:

• Open Access Publications: The target of 70% openly available publications by Month 9 was surpassed with an achievement of 72%, reflecting robust progress toward end-of-project goals.
• Training Impact: Lifelong learning programmes introduced during the pilot will continue evolving based on participant feedback.
• Outreach Tools: Resources designed to help early-career researchers plan their own initiatives have been developed and integrated into broader institutional strategies.

Looking Ahead

As the pilot concludes, many of its successful activities will be sustained beyond the project’s timeline. The EduDoc platform will be regularly updated, Open Science Cafés will continue as recurring events, and training programmes will remain accessible to researchers at all levels.

Research Council of Lithuania introduced an Open Science Ambassadors initiative, aiming to institutionalise OS leadership by June from their existing cohort members.

The Research Council of Lithuania (RCL) has been actively advancing its OPUS pilot programme, focusing on three core areas: research, education, and valorisation. Since the last mutual learning meeting in Bucharest, the Council has made significant progress in fostering Open Science practices across Lithuanian research institutions.

Indicators and Progress
The pilot is testing specific OPUS indicators across three categories:

Research
Data Management Plans (DMPs): Embedded into the application process, applicants are required to submit DMPs if their projects involve data usage. However, these plans are rarely evaluated—a gap RCL aims to address by introducing guidance and templates by May. Selected DMPs will also be made public as examples of good practice.
Open Access Publications: Articles are being collected for evaluation, with openness assessments scheduled by May.

Education
Open Science Skills Certificates: A “training of trainers” workshop was conducted for cohort members and Advisory Board participants. These trained researchers are now expected to deliver sessions within their institutions using provided materials.
Open Science Courses: Approximately 81% of institutions have already begun offering training on Open Science practices, covering topics such as open access, policy landscapes, and citizen science. Practical workshops have encouraged researchers to envision Open Science in Lithuania by 2030.

Valorisation
Sharing Open Science Knowledge: Researchers are documenting institutional training sessions informally through photos and participation numbers while tagging RCL and OPUS on social media—a flexible approach welcomed by participants.

Structure and Cohort Engagement
The pilot involves a cohort of 23 principal investigators (PIs) selected through a single call, representing six research institutions in Lithuania. To enhance coordination and impact, RCL established an Advisory Board comprising four members, including the Executive Director, whose high-level involvement has proven instrumental despite not being initially planned. Monthly meetings with the cohort have been pivotal in maintaining engagement among researchers from diverse scientific fields. Setting the full calendar of meetings at the start of the year has ensured consistent participation.

Achievements and Future Goals
The pilot has fostered significant dialogue between funding organisations and research-performing institutions. Initially, researchers expressed frustration over issues such as open access requirements and funding constraints. However, constructive discussions have since emerged, leading to greater engagement in policy development.
One notable outcome is the anticipated training impact: by May 31, up to 5,285 individuals may have received training within Lithuanian institutions—a remarkable achievement if realised. Additionally, cohort members participated in the Inside Trust Barometer survey, sparking valuable conversations about trust in Open Science despite challenging results.

Sustaining Momentum Beyond OPUS
RCL is developing a programme for Open Science Ambassadors to be announced in June, ensuring continued engagement beyond the pilot’s conclusion. The Advisory Board’s involvement has embedded Open Science practices into institutional frameworks, with outcomes feeding directly into new projects at RCL.

Citizen science remains an area for growth; many researchers were unfamiliar with effective public engagement strategies—a challenge that RCL views as an exciting opportunity for development.
In summary, the OPUS pilot has catalysed transformative change within Lithuania’s research landscape. By addressing gaps in data management evaluation, expanding training programmes, and fostering constructive dialogue among stakeholders, RCL is laying the groundwork for sustained progress in Open Science practices across the nation.

The Q&A session provided an engaging platform for clarifying various aspects of the OPUS project and its implementation across institutions. Discussions ranged from citizen science activities and repository integration to communication strategies and templates for data management plans (DMPs). Participants shared valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with promoting Open Science practices, particularly in academic and public contexts.

Citizen Science and Repository Use
One of the key topics raised was the inclusion of citizen science content in repositories. There was a consensus that while this could be beneficial, it requires careful consideration of user needs and repository functionality. The discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring that repositories serve as practical tools for researchers while also fostering broader engagement with scientific work.

Communication Tools and Public Engagement
Participants emphasised the need to expand Open Science communication beyond academic channels. While traditional methods such as departmental resources and internal platforms remain effective, institutions are increasingly exploring public presentations, webinars, and science series to reach wider audiences. Plans to host webinars targeting Greek-speaking audiences and bi-monthly sessions on Open Science topics were particularly noteworthy, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and impact.

Templates and Administrative Processes
The conversation around templates for DMPs underscored the importance of balancing practicality with thoroughness. While templates have been translated and adapted to institutional needs, they primarily serve as administrative tools to ensure required sections are completed. The idea of public consultation was raised as a means to refine these templates further, though concerns were expressed about the time and resources needed for deeper thematic discussions.

Staffing Challenges and Long-Term Planning
A recurring theme was the administrative burden placed on programme officers tasked with verifying DMPs. Institutions are considering solutions such as centralised data management centres or dedicated open science teams to address these challenges. This reflects a growing recognition of the need for long-term planning and sustainable support structures for Open Science initiatives.

Links & Resources:

• OPUS web: UCY Hosted the Final Mutual Learning Session on Open Science and Researcher Assessment
• D4.4 – Final Mutual Learning Exercise on the Pilots

The discussions during the Q&A session highlighted several overarching themes that are critical to advancing Open Science practices:

1. Balancing Academic Rigour with Accessibility: While Open Science remains primarily focused on academic audiences, there is a growing push to make it more accessible to the general public through innovative communication tools such as webinars, podcasts, and public presentations.
2. Administrative Efficiency: Institutions are striving to streamline processes related to DMPs and other Open Science requirements. The use of templates and administrative checks provides a practical solution, though deeper evaluations may require additional resources or expertise.
3. Collaborative Approaches: The importance of collaboration—whether through advisory boards, institutional teams, or centralised data management centres—was repeatedly emphasised as a way to share workloads and foster collective ownership of Open Science goals.
4. Citizen Science Opportunities: While still underexplored in many institutions, citizen science represents a promising avenue for engaging non-academic audiences in scientific research. Efforts to integrate citizen science into repositories could enhance its visibility and impact.
5. Sustainability Beyond OPUS: Participants expressed a strong desire to continue building on the foundations laid by OPUS. Initiatives such as Open Science Ambassadors, long-term data stewardship planning, and expanded training programmes are key steps toward ensuring lasting progress.

Overall, the session demonstrated a shared commitment among institutions to overcome challenges, innovate solutions, and broaden the reach of Open Science practices both within academia and beyond.