DANS Open Day: Open Science in action

21 November 2024

The DANS Open Day, held on 14 November 2024, was a great success, bringing together researchers, data professionals, and policymakers to share insights and discuss the evolving landscape of open science and research data management. Hosted at the DANS office in The Hague, the event highlighted the organisation’s role in advancing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data practices.

One of the highlights of the day was a thought-provoking keynote by Kalpana Shankar from University College Dublin. Her talk, ‘Achieving openness: What progress have we made and what challenges are we facing?’ addressed the changing dynamics of open science against the background of real-world challenges. Reflecting the urgency of current events, Shankar revised her lecture the evening before to address the protests planned against government budget cuts. This timely adjustment underscored the broader pressures faced by academia and the vital importance of maintaining openness and transparency in such a challenging landscape.

Other inspiring keynotes were given by Sarah de Rijcke ( Leiden University) and Mariëlle Prevoo (Maastricht University Library). Prevoo’s presentation on circular science, framed within Maastricht University’s 2022–2026 Open Science policy, was particularly impactful. Prevoo offered a personal perspective by comparing the principles of data reusability with her own earlier research experiences, making her reflections both relatable and impactful. Her talk inspired many attendees to think critically about how their own institutions could adopt similar approaches.

The day was further enriched by interactive workshops led by our own Data Station Managers and Research Data Management Experts. Topics included the data deposit pipelines, the Persistent Identifier (PID) ecosystem, capabilities of the Dataverse platform, and the practical application of PATTERN training materials. These sessions provided participants with hands-on knowledge and valuable tools to improve their own data practices.

The event also highlighted collaborative projects in which DANS plays an important role, such as the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), FAIR-IMPACT, MuseIT and Quantum. These projects show how DANS is helping to shape the future of research data sharing and innovation.

The day concluded with informal networking drinks, where attendees and DANS colleagues exchanged ideas and reflected on the collaborative spirit of the event.

The DANS Open Day highlighted DANS’ commitment to strengthening the research community. By supporting the principles of FAIR data and open science, DANS continues to ensure that research data not only promote scientific discovery, but also serve as a shared resource for societal progress.

A photographic impression of the DANS Open Day