What is Open Science?

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Opening science involves opening up the processes of creatin​g, evaluating, sharing, exploring and storing scientific knowledge, practices and perspectives. The UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science provides the first internationally agreed definition of Open Science which is defined as an inclusive construct that combines various movements and practices, aiming to:

• Make multilingual scientific knowledge openly available, accessible, and reusable for everyone,
  
• Increase scientific collaborations and sharing of information for the benefits of science and society, and to
• Open the processes of scientific knowledge creation, evaluation, and communication to s​​​​ocietal actors beyond the traditional scientific community.​

According to the UNESCO Recommendation, open science is a set of principles and practices that aim to make scientific research from all fields accessible to everyone for the benefit of scientists and society as a whole. The Recommendation aims to ensure not only that scientific knowledge is accessible but also that the production of that knowledge itself is inclusive, equitable and sustainable. By promoting science that is more accessible, inclusive and transparent, open science furthers the right of everyone to share in scientific advancement and its benefits, as stated in Article 27.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All scientific disciplines and aspects of scholarly practices, including basic and applied sciences, natural and social sciences and the humanities, are included. Open science builds on key pillars: open scientific knowledge, open science infrastructures, science communication, open engagement of societal actors and open dialogue with other knowledge systems.