Open Science

Get involved

If you want to be involved in the Open Science thematic group, please join here (scroll down on the Special Interest Groups webpage to see your thematic group). If you are not a member of EARMA, you must first register as a "Guest", "Institutional" or "Individual" member. Please note that you do not need an EARMA membership to set up an EARMA guest account.
 

Group description

Systemic changes are currently taking place in the way research systems function, and there is an increased expectation of value for money from taxpayers. Open Science calls for a shift towards a more transparent, accessible, collaborative and networked way of doing research. Note that when we talk about Open Science, we mean openness across all areas of research including social sciences, arts, and humanities.

Given the importance of Open Science including in the European Research Area (ERA Action 1), the Open Science EARMA thematic group (EARMA OS TG) aims to provide added value and reflect the specific perspectives, experiences and needs of research managers and administrators (RMAs) on Open Science. The remit of the group includes exchanging best practices, providing tools and connecting with other networks (internal and external to EARMA) relevant to Open Science.
 

Governance

The governance of the group is designed to be light and agile, recognising that EARMA engagement is an additional responsibility to members' primary duties. The group operates a co-chair model. Each Chair holds the post for two years, with one Chair stepping down each year, balancing retaining experience with ensuring fresh perspectives and continuous leadership development.

Current co-chairs (2025/2026): Cem Birol and Lindsay Dowling.

Activities

2022:

  • The group was established, with Daniel Spichtinger and Jan Andersen co-chairing. 

2023:

  • A webinar on the interaction between Open Science and intellectual property.
  • A thematic meeting at the EARMA Conference 2023 in Prague, where participants brainstormed future activities aligned with the European Commission’s Open Science ambitions.
  • A joint meeting with the Ethics and Research Integrity Officer Network (ERION) in November, which focused on the intersection between research ethics and data management. 

2024:

  • A thematic meeting at the EARMA Conference 2024 in Odense, Denmark, and the first rotation of co-chair occurred with Lindsay Dowling replacing Jan Andersen.
  • Secured sponsorship from Digital Science to host an in-person event in Brussels, September 2024, focusing on ‘Open Science in the changing global system’.
  • TG Members collaborated to publish an Open Letter in November 2024

2025:

  • A thematic meeting at the INORMS Conference 2025 in Madrid Spain, and the second rotation of co-chair occurred with Cem Birol replacing Daniel Spichtinger.
  • The group ran two events at the INORMS Conference: a 60-minute panel session on ‘Open Science as a Global Initiative’, and an open community and networking meeting for Open Science practitioners attending the conference.
  • In Progress: