Open Science

AN OPEN SCIENCE FRAMEWORK FOR WIN

The WIN is leading the effort to develop an Open Science Framework for Western University through community consultations and working with open science experts.

The first phase of this project will lead to a set of institutional open science principles and an implementation plan. Over the next year, with funding from the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute, the Open Science Buy-In Project will involve assessing the needs, challenges and benefits of implementing open science at the university.

Community consultations will begin in 2024. If you are a part of Western’s research and innovation community and want to participate in the community consultations, please sign up for our mailing list for the latest updates.

What is Open Science?

OPEN SCIENCE IS A RESEARCH PRACTICE THAT INCLUDES THE SHARING OF RESEARCH DATA, TOOLS AND OUTPUTS WITH THE GOAL OF ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION AND COLLABORATION

Open science aims to accelerate discovery and innovation, increase the efficiency and quality of science, promote transparency and accountability, and ultimately maximize the impacts of science on society. Open science practices include sharing scientific resources (e.g., data, software, protocols, hardware and equipment), sharing intellectual property, as well as providing open access to scientific publications.

Why Open Science for WIN?

ADOPTING OPEN SCIENCE PRACTICES WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT WESTERN’S KEY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES OF DISCOVERY, KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION AND INNOVATION

Open science gives researchers access to knowledge and data that can help their own programs move forward. It opens new avenues of discovery and can solidify new collaborations. 

Western University is already engaged in many open access, open data, and open innovation activities. These include the Innovation and Partnerships strategy that supports open innovation and Western Library's Open Access policy including financial support for open access publishing and access to Open Educational Resources.  

Western also has exciting Open Science projects underway.   

Open Science activities are converging rapidly with emerging requirements from funding agencies.  Formalizing an Open Science Framework and further developing our open science practices will position Western amongst the leaders of Open Science in Canada.  Western University is the first university in Ontario to explore an Open Science Framework for the whole institution - a reflection of Western's progressive spirit that has earned us an international reputation for transdisciplinary research and innovation.  

WIN also pledges to work with Indigenous stakeholders to ensure that any Indigenous data and knowledge is handled in a way that respects Indigenous rights and interests.  

 

Who is Involved with the Open Science Buy-In Project at WIN?

THE PROJECT AIMS TO BRING TOGETHER ALL RESEARCHERS AT WESTERN, INCLUDING FACULTY, STAFF AND TRAINEES. IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE WESTERN RESEARCH LEADERSHIP, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL PARTNERS AND THE BROADER WESTERN RESEARCH COMMUNITY. 

The Open Science Buy-In project is led by Dr. Marco Prado, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and Dr. Ali Khan, Associate Professor, Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. The project is guided by the Open Science Advisory Committee and the open science principles have been drafted by the Open Science Working Group.

We want to acknowledge and thank open science champions, Marco Prado, Ali Khan, Joern Diedrichson, Ryan Salewski, BrainsCAN, Western Libraries, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, the office of the Vice President, Research for their support on this initiative. They represent Western's continued commitment to sharing the products of its research and innovation.

Have Questions About the Open Science Buy-In Project at Western?

Contact us at win@uwo.ca.

 

WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THE OPEN SCIENCE BUY-IN PROJECT?

Contact Christine Moreau, Ph.D, Open Science Research Specialist at WIN for more information about Open Science practices at WIN at cmoreau5@uwo.ca.