University of Cyprus

• April 17, 2025

The University of Cyprus integrated Researcher Assessment Framework activities within the KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence, targeting publication drafting, data management, and software development. Actions included assigning Open Science champions, establishing repository access, and creating policies for Open Science adoption.

Impact: The University of Cyprus’s pilot cultivated a supportive Open Science ecosystem, setting a precedent for national-level adoption.

Through its participation in OPUS, the University of Cyprus is making significant strides in enhancing research assessment and promoting open science. The university has committed to reform by signing key declarations like DORA and COARA, ensuring that its research assessments align with the latest open science principles.

Key Strengths at the University of Cyprus:

• Balanced Evaluation Methods: The university’s research assessments incorporate both quantitative and qualitative metrics, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process that reflects diverse research outputs.
• Open Science Integration: The introduction of OPUS’s RAF has helped the university to clearly map out actions that will further embed open science practices into its research ecosystem.

Here is a compelling overview of the university’s contributions to the advancement of open science—both within the institution and at the national level.

University of Cyprus, UCY (RPO, Cyprus): Advancing Data Transparency

Integrated Open Science into the activities of its KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence, focusing on data transparency, open peer review, and capacity building.

• Policy Enhancements: A KIOS Open Science Committee oversees interventions like career development updates and OS awards.
• Open Science Champions: Two champions promote OS practices and conduct training sessions.
• Repository Engagement: Researchers are trained to use platforms such as Zenodo, GitHub, and GNOSIS for sharing outputs.
• Training and Communication: Seminars on OS tools and policies complement workshops on creating OS-focused CVs.

The university’s rapid development, despite its relatively young age, has highlighted its deepening collaborations and growing impact on the broader Cypriot research community. A key milestone 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 both institutionally and nationally.

Two achievements particularly stand out. First, the university played an instrumental role in shaping national policy, which led to the adoption of Cyprus’s open science frameworks in 2016 and again in 2022. These frameworks were the result of extensive collaboration with key government bodies, including the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. Second, the university library holds a unique position as the sole national Open Access Desk for OpenAIRE in Cyprus. Over the years, it 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 within its research culture.

While significant progress has been made, the path ahead remains long and complex, requiring a shift in research culture that has developed over decades. Nonetheless, the university remains committed to continuing this transformation, for the benefit of a more transparent, inclusive, and equitable research landscape.

Despite challenges, such as the need for better recognition of peer review contributions and locally relevant research, the University of Cyprus is committed to refining its processes and contributing to the broader research community’s understanding of open science assessment.

Read more articles about the University of Cyprus impact:

University of Cyprus: Promoting Engagement, Transparency, and Reproducibility

University of Cyprus Advances Research Assessment with OPUS Project

A Fundamental Shift in How Researchers are Assessed

Through their involvement in the OPUS project, research organisations are driving a fundamental shift in how research and researchers are assessed. By focusing on open science, societal impact, and responsible research practices, the OPUS project is helping to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking research environment across Europe.

The results from these pilots are being compiled into policy briefs and thematic workshops, which will help raise awareness, build trust, and promote the uptake of open science across the research community.