Workshop
Resilience in times of crisis: Strengthening Open Science against geopolitical pressures
- Date
- Thursday 6 November 2025
- Time
- Address
-
PLNT
Langegracht 70
2312NV Leiden
The success of the Open Science movement relies on research products and infrastructures being open, accessible and sustainably curated. Recent global events, however, have illustrated the vulnerability of Open Science to geopolitical influences. In the USA both research and data are under threat from changing political ideals. In Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza knowledge collections are threatened by war. Recognising that these geopolitical pressures are unlikely to disappear, Open Science needs new strategies of resilience to safeguard open knowledge, infrastructures, and dialogues with societal actors. This workshop starts the conversation of how to build up resilient and responsive open systems.
Objectives of workshop
The workshop is intended as a highly interactive co-production event leading to a position statement. This will be done through a combination of workshopping methods including un-conferencing, breakout groups and mind mapping. Two weeks before the workshop, participants will be invited to send in position statements or topics aligning to the following themes from the UNESCO recommendations in relation to geopolitical pressure: open scientific knowledge (e.g. data, papers, software, hardware and educational resources), open scientific infrastructures, open engagement with societal actors and open dialogue with other knowledge systems. This will enable the formation of an “unconference style” programme.
One week before the workshop, the organisers and programme committee will construct the final programme from the unconference suggestions.
Program: 06 November
|
09:00-09:30 |
Registration and coffee |
|
09:30-10:15 |
Keynote speech on geopolitics and Open Science |
|
10:15-11:15 |
Lightning talks from different data/infrastructure rescue projects |
|
11:15-11:30 |
Coffee |
|
11:30-12:30 |
Breakout group work |
|
12:30-13:30 |
Lunch |
|
13:30-15:00 |
Breakout group work |
|
15:00-15:15 |
Coffee |
|
15:15-16:30 |
Consolidation of group work |
|
16:30-17:00 |
Position statement discussion |
|
17:00-18:30 |
Drinks |
Location: PLNT
PLNT is a 1500 sq meter start-up facility located in the heart of Leiden. PLNT is home to talented students, developing enterprises and established businesses. Together they function as an ecosystem that drives innovation and reinforces entrepreneurial values.