Keynote Four – Open Science and the European Commission

The way that science is being done is changing rapidly and profoundly. Open Science represents the new approach to science, based on new ways of collaborating and spreading knowledge. In 2014 the European Commission held a public consultation on the topic. We posed two main questions: what are the reasons behind the changes in how research is being done, and how will they affect the scientific and research community? With fascinating results, the consultation showed that Europe’s researchers are very aware of the challenges and opportunities in Open Science. With Horizon 2020, the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme, the European Commission wants to lead by example. At European level, an Open Science Agenda is being developed which will set out areas of specific action agreed by the Commission and EU Member States. Preparations are also under way to set up an Open Science Policy Platform that will be tasked with fleshing out the agenda.