Open Science/Report

Open Science and Wikimedia

Introduction

This report presents preliminary findings from a survey aimed at mapping Wikimedia affiliates' engagement and interest in Open Science. The initiative emerged from a session at Wikimania 2024 in Katowice, where participants identified the need for greater coordination and collaboration across the movement in support of Open Science.

Background

Wikimedians have long contributed to Open Science through a variety of roles and initiatives: as Wikimedians in Residence at academic institutions, collaborating with research programs, training PhD students and scholars on Wikimedia platforms, and advocating for institutional change towards openness.

Open Science, as defined in the UNESCO Recommendation, is a global movement to make scientific knowledge freely available, accessible, and reusable by all. It emphasizes collaborative research, open sharing of information, and public engagement in scientific processes. The movement is built on a few key pillars: open scientific knowledge, open science infrastructures, science communication, open engagement and open dialogue.

While many Wikimedians have supported these principles, efforts have often been fragmented and driven by individuals or affiliates, rather than coordinated at a global level.

Survey

To better understand the landscape and assess the level of interest in developing an Open Science network, a survey was circulated to all Wikimedia affiliates. The aim was not to gather statistically representative data but to explore general interest and gather input for an initial mapping. In total, 36 affiliates responded—roughly 20% of the movement. Respondents included user groups, chapters and thematic groups. The response rate might have been higher with reminders or personalized outreach to affiliate staff and volunteers.

Key findings

Strong interest in collaboration. 90% of the respondents expressed an interest in being informed of or engaged in open-science activities within the Movement.

More activities than envisioned already exist. Almost half (45%) of the respondents stated that they already engage in open science activities in one way or another, suggesting a strong foundation to build upon for further collaboration.

Areas of work

In affiliates already active within the field, work is being done around:

Advocacy for better legislation and policies
Building networks and collaborating, e.g. with libraries, for institutional change
Collaborating with researchers and research institutions to add and improve on Wikimedia platforms
Developing and sharing open educational resources
Conducting research and publishing in open-access journals
Promoting citizen science activities
Organizing Wiki campaigns related to science
Sharing research on the Wikimedia platforms, in collaboration with partners and e.g. intergovernmental organizations
Organizing conferences related to science

Requests for Open Science network focus areas

Exploring funding opportunities for open science work
International collaboration to lower barriers for engaging in open science initiatives
Communicating and sharing the word about open science projects and activities in affiliates and other parts of the movement
Finding ways to make Wikimedia content more aligned with the FAIR principles