Two Horizon Europe-funded projects: OPUS and SECURE presented in Croatia

• March 4, 2024

On Friday, 1 March 2024, an event was held at the University of Rijeka Campus to present activities carried out within the framework of two Horizon Europe-funded projects, Open Universal Science (OPUS) and Sustainable Careers for Researcher Empowerment (SECURE).

Nataša Jakominić Marot, MBA, Head of the University Centre for Research and Innovation, opened the event by outlining its purpose alongside the aims and activities of the OPUS and SECURE projects. She highlighted the importance of the OPUS project, which is developing coordination and support measures for reforming the assessment of research and researchers. Its goal is to establish a system that encourages and rewards researchers for adopting open science practices, as well as developing transferable skills such as communication, team leadership, and management.

As she emphasised, projects like SECURE also play a crucial role in creating frameworks to improve research careers. A further focus of this project is supporting organisations in the recruitment, training, development, progression, and international and intersectoral mobility of researchers, with the aim of reducing career insecurity.

Professor Dr Saša Zelenika, Vice-Rector for Strategic Projects, pointed out the obvious challenges presented by the current structure for assessing scientific activity, which raises legitimate questions about the need for reform in research evaluation. Indeed, evaluation is a key process for ensuring quality, not only guaranteeing the creation of new knowledge and public accountability, but also promoting economic and societal progress. However, the present system of assessment is based on the quantity and place of publication of scientific papers, rather than on the quality and usefulness of the research itself.

Ivana Dorotić Malič from the University Library, presenting OPUS activities of the Centre for Open Science and Scientific Information Management, highlighted, among other things, the importance of research into how open science impacts modes of scientific communication and how access to scientific information can be supported through archives and other tools.

Associate Professor Dr Vedrana Mikulić Crnković, Head of the Centre for the Popularisation and Promotion of Science, drew attention to the significance of sharing knowledge and communication, which are increasingly important aspects of modern society in the digital age. In this context, she presented OPUS activities, particularly emphasising the virtual SOCRI as an innovative platform for open scientific communication, designed to stimulate the exchange of best practices, experiences, ideas, and knowledge among scientists worldwide. This platform represents an innovative solution for fostering open scientific dialogue and strengthening the links between researchers and the wider public.

The event concluded with a presentation of OPUS activities by colleagues from the Faculty of Law, where Dr Dejana Golenko and Professor Dr Ivana Kunda outlined the faculty’s activities focusing on open science. They highlighted the views of researchers and information specialists, who believe that e-publishing, online dissemination, databases, and bibliometric indicators will facilitate faster and free dissemination of scientific information.

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