Unpacking Open Science: Access, Rights, and Equity

Join us at the upcoming MAK’IT Talk on a journey through the evolving world of Open Science (OS). Our distinguished panel of invited speakers, consisting of experts celebrated for their significant contributions from global OS governance to democratising research through citizen science, will share insights on how to optimise OS practices. The discussion will address challenges ranging from predatory journals to open access fees, explore the balance between intellectual property rights and the free sharing of knowledge, and scrutinize the disparities researchers globally encounter when accessing OS. Emphasising the role of community engagement, institutional support and global collaboration, we will reflect on the broader dimensions of OS, encompassing not only publishing but also open hardware, software, research methodologies and more.

Speakers:

• Ana Maria Cetto. Chair of the UNESCO Global Open Science Steering Committee & Professor at Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (remotely)
• Eric W. Welch. Professor in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University (ASU) &Director of the Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Studies (C-STEPS) at ASU (remotely)
• Anne Laurent. Vice-president for open science and research data at the University of Montpellier
• Muki Haklay. Leader in the citizen science team at the Learning Planet Institute (LPI) & Co-founder of the Extreme Citizen Science group at University College London (UCL)

About the speakers:

Ana María Cetto Kramis

A renowned Mexican physicist and professor, Pr. Cetto has been a beacon for open science on the global stage, particularly in her role as the president of the Steering Committee for Global Open Science at UNESCO. Her commitment to the dissemination of scientific knowledge is evident in her leadership roles, having directed the Mexican Journal of Physics and founded Latindex, an essential system for Ibero-American scientific journals. Pr. Cetto’s dedication to the responsible use of science for peace has garnered international recognition, with her contributions being linked to the Nobel Peace Prize on two occasions. In 2003, she was celebrated as the “Woman of the Year” in Mexico, and her legacy continues with memberships in prestigious scientific academies.

Eric W. Welch

A distinguished professor in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University (ASU), Pr. Welch has been a leading voice in open science discussions. In his role at ASU, he has further developed his dedication to the confluence of science, technology, and environmental policy as the director of the Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Studies (C-STEPS). His significant NSF project on open data access challenges, coupled with his advisory role with international organizations like FAO, highlights his unwavering commitment to open science principles. As an advisor to the FAO, Pr. Welch played a key role in a study examining the post-COVID-19 implications for genetic diversity and genomics research, emphasizing the critical aspects of governance, equity, and research capacity in open science. Dr. Welch’s influential contributions have been pivotal in shaping open science policies and practices.

Anne Laurent

Pr. Laurent is the Vice-President of Open Science at the University of Montpellier and a Professor at the LIRMM lab. Leading the FADO Research group at LIRMM, she has championed open data initiatives, emphasizing the enhancement of data crossing facilities in data lakes and the broader web of data. This commitment to making data both accessible and interoperable clearly reflects her dedication to the principles of open science. Furthermore, her affiliation with the Research Data Alliance (RDA) underscores her vision for open data sharing and re-use, aligning with the RDA’s mission to bridge gaps in the open data community. With a substantial number of publications, Pr. Laurent continues to contribute significantly to her field.

Muki Haklay

A co-founder of the Extreme Citizen Science  (ExCiteS) group at University College London (UCL), Pr. Haklay has consistently demonstrated his dedication to democratizing science and actively involving the public in scientific research. His leadership role in the citizen science team at the Learning Planet Institute (LPI) further highlights his contributions to the open science movement, especially in the realm of citizen science. Pr. Haklay’s interdisciplinary research approach and his active participation in EU-level discussions on citizen science underscore his commitment to collaborative research and community engagement. His work with ExCiteS and emphasis on involving citizens as stakeholders in research outcomes align with the open science ethos of inclusivity and accessibility.