The goal of the 2019 Open Science Award was to highlight good open science practices. Consequently, the jury asked faculties and research-focused independent institutes to describe how open science is present in their operating culture. The jury requested examples of practices which were viewed as particular strengths of the organisation, such as open publishing, self-archiving, making research data available, practices that support the reproducibility of studies, communicating open science, open science in implementation plans, researcher appearances in public debate surrounding open science, citizen science projects, etc.The submitted proposals were evaluated by a jury consisting of Vice Rector Paula Eerola, University Librarian Kimmo Tuominen, Information Specialist Marja Moisio, IT Manager Minna Harjuniemi and Specialist in Research Administration Tiina Käkelä.
Open science services and good practices
Luomus has established and built the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility, a national research infrastructure of open science which provides access to open data on species in Finland, such as their distribution. The
Luomus coordinates networks of near-professional bird hobbyists who collect research data. The networks ring birds, map their distribution and estimate the development of the populations. These networks were started more than a century ago, and today have between 1,000 and 2,000 active citizen science members. Luomus also carries out citizen science projects together with various organisations and companies (e.g.,
In its 2017–2020 action plan, Luomus has committed to the development of open science in its teaching, research and other work. Luomus is committed to an open data policy, digitising its collections as open data, open publishing of its publications, as well as open access academic publishing and creating open digital learning materials. In 2018, 69% of Luomus’ publications were openly published.
The jury also wanted to commend the following faculties for their work in promoting open science:
Faculty of Social Sciences
The Faculty offers support for collecting research material and the associated handling costs. Applying for this support requires a data management plan which must be inspected by the University’s Data Support. In addition, the metadata for the research material must be entered into one of the national or international search services recommended by the University.
The Faculty has many researchers who participate in the public discussion surrounding open science. The Faculty’s submission cited
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
The Faculty’s Department of Microbiology maintains the
The Faculty also grants an annual award for the most significant act for research, with open science as one of the criteria.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Largest percentage of open publications of any University of Helsinki faculty in 2018 (58.5%).