A brain with an open book beside the words Open Science

Open Science at the Western Institute for Neuroscience

Open Science at the Western Institute for Neuroscience

A brain with an open book beside the words Open Science

Open Science at the Western Institute for Neuroscience

The Western Institute for Neuroscience (WIN) has pledged its commitment to adopting open science across the institute. Our open science framework will guide the way WIN researchers do science.

 

This is an image of a brain

What is Open Science?

Open science is the concept of sharing data, information, tools and research results to eliminate barriers for collaboration and maximize research impact. It also fosters a more open approach to research that includes diverse voices and builds capacity in tackling society's greatest challenges.

The WIN is Western University’s first institute to partner with McGill University’s Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) in a commitment to make open science a guiding concept across the institute. Our open science framework will shape the institute’s identity and guide research, training and programming at the WIN.

Open Science Framework

WIN’s open science framework was shaped by extensive community consultations to identify needs, strengths and barriers. The final framework includes six guiding principles that will support WIN researchers who want to integrate open science into their projects from start to finish. Together, these principles ensure that research is more transparent, collaborative, and impactful for the people and communities it aims to serve.

Open Design

We will embed open science practices directly into research from the very start – at the experimental design phase. By planning for openness at the design stage, researchers can make choices that lead to more transparent, rigorous, and science that is beneficial for the wider community.

Open Physical Resources

We will encourage the responsible sharing of physical materials, such as samples provided by participants or tools created by researchers, so that others can build on this work. This helps discoveries move further and faster, while ensuring these resources remain valuable and usable over time.

Open Digital Tools and Software

We will promote making digital tools and resources (such as algorithms, software code, and hardware schematics) openly available with minimal restrictions on reuse. This allows others to reuse, adapt, and improve these tools for the benefit of the wider research community.

Open Data & Information

We will support researchers in sharing their data and related materials through trusted open repositories. This will lead to better reproducibility, reusability, and more discoveries.

Open Access Publications & Knowledge Mobilization

We will work towards making all publications freely accessible online, so anyone can read and learn from them. Researchers are also encouraged to share their findings in clear, accessible language so that community members, partners, and people directly affected by the research can understand and meaningfully engage with the results.

Open Intellectual Property

We encourage reducing unnecessary restrictions on research outputs so that new knowledge and tools can be used, shared, and built upon more broadly—whether the work involves academic partners, non-profits, or industry collaborators.