Type of event: News

Nathanael Sheehan and Sabina Leonelli have recently 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 investigates 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 argue that actionable data must drive knowledge development and remain accountable to contributors and users. The findings challenge the notion that easy accessibility is essential for data actionability, highlighting the critical role of responsiveness and open communication.

Insightful article on Diversity and Open Science. Mark Huskisson, co-chair of the OPERAS Research Infrastructure, has published a thought-provoking article exploring the intersection of diversity and Open Science. The piece draws 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. Check it out here: Reflections from The Munin Conference Part Two – Open Science. Stay tuned for more updates on the recent Munin Conference!

Paola Castaño and Sabina Leonelli, in collaboration with Louise Bezuidenhout, Ismael Rafols, and Andrea Vargiu, argue for the critical role of case studies as evidence for shaping open science policies. Their work, Case studies are vital to monitoring the development of open science, highlights how case studies provide rich, contextual insights that can enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of open science frameworks.

Fotis Tsiroukis and Sabina Leonelli have recently published the ELGO-DIMITRA Data Management Practices & Requirements: A Scoping Report, which explores the current state of data practices in agricultural science as implemented by the Greek Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, a pivotal national governmental body. This publication complements a previous study on data practices in Ghana: Data Management at the Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ghana: A Scoping Report. Both reports provide valuable insights into agricultural data management across diverse contexts, underscoring the importance of tailored approaches to data governance and the role of national organizations in shaping global agricultural research. 

Sabina Leonelli discussed the ongoing work of the PHIL_OS project, as well as related new initiatives, such as the Ethical Data Initiative and the Public Science Lab in Munich, as part of a panel on the future of the philosophy of science. The panel, featuring also Heather Douglas and Holly Andersen, was organised and hosted by Alan Love as part of a major conference at the University of Minnesota in October 2024. Watch the video here: Round Table: Themes and Approaches 

Paola Castaño and Sabina Leonelli, in their recent publication, Interrogating and Monitoring Equitable Open Science, examine insights from four sessions held at the 2024 EASST/4S conference, mainly focusing on the challenges and proposed solutions in Open Science’s equity and inclusivity. 

In May 2024 PHIL_OS, and particularly Hugh Williamson presenting joint work with Sabina Leonelli, participated in a major meeting on data interoperability and making agricultural research “AI-ready” in equitable and responsible days – see the summary and videos of sessions here:

https://www.hdigitag.fr/evenements/phenoharmonis-workshop-2024

Our postdoc Rose Trappes has moved to the University of Bergen in Norway, where she will do a postdoc exploring citizen science and its implications for epistemic diversity in ecology.

On 9–12 September, Emma Cavazzoni will be a participant at the 7^th European Advanced School in the Philosophy of the Life Sciences (EASPLS), on the theme of ‘Evidence in Biology and Medicine’. This summer school takes place at the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI) near Vienna, Austria.