A Philosophy of Open Science for Diverse Research Environments

The Open Science Studies group is engaged in research, education and policy interventions to foster responsible, sustainable and socially engaged research and innovation around the globe. We are strongly committed to help bridge the gaps between social and academic life to foster planetary health, and particularly to ensure that research carried out by public institutions serves the needs of human communities and their ecosystems.

At the core of the Open Science Studies group is the PHIL_OS project (“A Philosophy of Open Science for Diverse Research Environments”, 2021–2026). PHIL_OS aims to develop an empirically grounded philosophy of open science that emphasises the diversity of research environments around the world and articulates the conditions under which open science can leverage such diversity to promote good research practice.

We are based in Munich, around the Chair of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where we are actively involved in developing the Public Science Lab and the Ethical Data Initiative (EDI) ; and in Exeter, at the Exeter Centre for the Study of the Life Sciences of the University of Exeter (UK), where this work started back in the 2010s.

Poster (3MB PDF)
 
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News

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Sabina gave a keynote at the German Society for Philosophy of Science's (GWP) three-yearly conference, in Erlangen on 24‐26 March 2025.

Paola Castaño's report, Expanding the Space Biology Community: NASA Open Science Data Repository's Analysis Working Groups - Survey Report, analyzed how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) has influenced space biology through open data practices. Conducted as part of the PHIL_OS project, the study explored how data processing and sharing at OSDR facilitated scientific collaboration. The research highlighted how open science practices have shaped space biology and examined the repository’s efforts to balance maximizing discovery with democratizing access.

Insightful article on Diversity and Open Science. Mark Huskisson, co-chair of the OPERAS Research Infrastructure, published a thought-provoking article exploring the intersection of diversity and Open Science. The piece drew on Sabina Leonelli's philosophical insights, linking them to current international developments in Open Science and scholarly communication. It's a compelling read for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of academic collaboration. Here are: Reflections from The Munin Conference Part Two – Open Science. Stay tuned for more updates on the recent Munin Conference!

Nathanael Sheehan and Sabina Leonelli published an article, "Reconciling data actionability and accountability in global health research: The case of SARS-CoV-2," in the Global Public Health Journal. The study investigated the perceived trade-off between actionability and accountability in data infrastructures, focusing on genomic data sharing during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Through a comparative analysis of two data-sharing infrastructures, the authors argued that actionable data must drive knowledge development and remain accountable to contributors and users. The findings challenged the notion that easy accessibility is essential for data actionability, highlighting the critical role of responsiveness and open communication. 

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Events

The Phil_OS project will host a workshop on 28–29 April 2025 in Landshut (Bavaria). This workshop will focus on the diversity of research environments and their alignment with broader scientific transformations, particularly about Open Science policies. Check the Program for more details.

Emma Cavazzoni gave a talk titled "Data-technology communities: collaboration and diversity in data- and technology-intensive multidisciplinary research" at the German Society for Philosophy of Science conference. The event occurred in Erlangen from the 24th to the 26th of March.

The successful workshop, "Understanding Misinformation," brought together philosophers and social science and technology students to discuss what it means to be informed, particularly the problems relating to misinformation concerning scientific research and its use as evidence for decision-making. The event occurred on 9 December 2024 at KKV Hansa E.V. Briennerstr. 39, 80333 München.

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Project meetings

The project has monthly meetings open to collaborators around the world.

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