U.S. policy: Celebrating the “Year of Open Science”

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As we round out the first month of 2023, we’re celebrating the Year of Open Science, a White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) initiative to empower researchers to adopt open science practices through events, training, and incentives – and engage federal agencies in advancing open science practices and policies. 

Over the past fifteen years, Dryad has modeled researcher-led open science practices for the careful curation and open publication of research data. We’re thrilled to see the growing acknowledgement of the benefits of open science and the need to provide researchers with training, guidance, and incentives that empower them to participate. Dryad is here to support the research community with expert input, resources, and best practice for data sharing and reuse. Get in touch with us to learn more.

White text on a green background reading “Year of Open Science: empowering researchers to adopt open science practices.”

Defining open science

The Year of Open Science aligns closely with the OSTP’s memorandum on ensuring free, immediate, and equitable access to federally funded research and shares similar goals: to enhance access to taxpayer-funded research, “accelerate discovery and innovation, promote public trust, and drive more equitable outcomes.” And kick-off activities included the release of an official definition of open science developed by OSTP, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and participating agencies, which characterizes it as: “the principle and practice of making research products and processes available to all, while respecting diverse cultures, maintaining security and privacy, and fostering collaborations, reproducibility and equity.”

NASA at the forefront

Among federal agencies, NASA is leading the way with its Transform to Open Science (TOPS) mission. According to Chelle Gentemann, leader of TOPS: 

“The intersection of various challenges require a fundamental shift in how we conduct research: from simply sharing results in journal articles to collaborating openly, publishing reproducible results and implementing full inclusivity and transparency.” 

Open data sharing features prominently in the TOPS initiative’s open science action plans for individuals, teams, and organizations. Individuals and teams are encouraged to (re)use openly available data and make their data open in return, while organizations are urged to develop internal open science guidance and strategies.

NASA’s Year of Open Science logo, featuring a spinning top launching into space in the style of a rocket, with the year “2023” in its wake

A sign of the times

The Year of Open Science is yet another reflection of a growing push for greater collaboration, transparency, and accountability in scientific research. Dryad celebrates the White House OSTP’s leadership and is proud to contribute to advancing open and equitable research, one dataset at a time. 

To stay up to date with Dryad events and activities that celebrate the Year of Open Science, subscribe to our newsletter.

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