Eurodoc input on UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science

Press release on Eurodoc input on UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science
written by Andrea Claudi 

In October 2019, during its 40th General Conference, UNESCO set out its intention to draft a Recommendation on Open Science (OS) to be adopted by Member States in 2021. To build a global consensus on OS, UNESCO decided to adopt an “inclusive, transparent and consultative process”, including an online survey, which they launched in February 2020. A first draft of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science was published on 31 December 2020, and a second draft is expected to be published by the end of March 2021.

Eurodoc participated in the whole process to express the European early-career researchers’ point of view on Open Science. Eurodoc considers Open Science to be a main pillar in career development and evaluation of ECRs and 19 January 2021, Eurodoc sent a comment on the first draft of the Recommendation on Open Science to UNESCO, identifying key aspects and obstacles on the path towards OS.

Among the key aspects, Eurodoc highlighted the importance of training and support on OS practices and skills, and of the implementation of a proper reward system, including ECRs’ career assessment. Among the obstacles, Eurodoc directed UNESCO’s attention to the imbalances between different countries, institutions and disciplines that could hinder the spread of OS.

Inês Almeida, Open Science and Employment and Careers WG co-coordinator comment:

«Open Science (OS) is becoming the new standard in the research & innovation arena, contributing to better research practices, fairer research assessment, better dissemination of knowledge and access to it, and the increased participation of society. However, there is currently no clear consensus on a OS definition, nor a strategic plan worldwide for this transition. For a successful implementation of OS, all relevant stakeholders should be involved, including researchers. However, the governments and institutions advocating for OS are not necessarily aware of the specific needs of these different stakeholders. We congratulate UNESCO for its initiative of creating a global recommendation using the contributions of all the relevant elements involved. We hope this global consensus can guide and facilitate a successful transition towards OS!»

Giulia Malaguarnera, Eurodoc President, states:

“Eurodoc is fully committed to Open Science and we welcome UNESCO’s efforts to build a worldwide consensus on it. We are happy to collaborate with UNESCO and with every other international organization seeking to raise awareness on Open Science and shape a different future for research, and we are determined to further the contribution of European early-career researchers on Open Science.”

Files

• Eurodoc input on UNESCO Open Science Recommandation (March 2021)
• Eurodoc answers on UNESCO Survey (May 2020)

Disclaimer

Beyond the here reported main authors, feedback and contributions underwent through internal consultation among Eurodoc members. 

About Eurodoc

Eurodoc, the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers, is a grassroots federation of national associations of early career researchers (ECRs) from European countries. Eurodoc was founded in 2002 and then established in 2005 as a non-profit, international volunteer organization based in Brussels. As representatives of ECRs at European level, we engage with all major stakeholders in research and innovation in Europe. Eurodoc primarily focuses and advocates for doctoral candidates and junior researchers, that is, researchers at R1 and R2 stages.

website: eurodoc.net