Open science means a new culture of conducting research, whose fundamental value is equal and unlimited access to scientific knowledge as a public good. This assumption has become the basis for the Polish and European rights regulating open access to data, as well as policies implemented by the domestic and European agencies funding scientific research. At present, research data should not only serve research units, but also political, business and social entities to create urban and metropolitan areas. Moreover, the concept of open science is in line with the assumptions of the Research Excellence Initiative as a strategic programme for the development of an academic community of the University of Silesia in Katowice.
This year’s Global Forum Urban (Word Urban Forum 11) took place in Katowice on 26-30 June 2022. The meetings were held in Spodek Arena, International Congress Centre and 11 city zones. The leading theme of these prestigious, international conferences was the social, economic and environmental development of contemporary cities. The debate on sharing open research data in the context of their influence on the development of smart urban and metropolitan areas, which took place on 29 June 2022 year in the Science Zone at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Silesia, was moderated by a representative of Science Department – Natalia Galica (coordinator for open access and document champion of the University of Silesia in Katowice). During the debate entitled “How open research data fuel smart urban and metropolitan development”, the modern reality of implementing the policy of open access to research data was presented, taking into consideration the perspective of three types of entities, including research unit, territorial self-government and global company. The panellists included: Jason Whittet (Amazon Web Services, Arizona State University Smart Cities Cloud Innovation Center), Łukasz Żółciak (Katowice City Hall & Rawa.Ink Inkubator Miejski), Maria Pawłowska, PhD (Visnea), Prof. Radosław Nielek (Metropolis GZM). During the debate, it was emphasized that the scientific activities of European universities, providing open access to research data, are becoming a factor supporting sustainable and resilient development of urban and metropolitan areas. Sharing research data is intended to contribute to the replicability of scientific solutions and research, economic growth, and technological innovation, but especially to a better quality of life for local communities and the global community. In the world of challenges such as climate change and pandemics, open science seems to be a natural direction for the development and cooperation axis between the University and its local and global surroundings.
In Innovation Zone, on 28 and 29 June, during the panel dedicated to innovative solutions in the field of Smart City and Industry 4.0., Natalia Gala, coordinator for open access and data champion, presented a lecture entitled „Data Stewardship in the practice of the University of Silesia in Katowice: systemic solutions, community solutions and cooperation with the environment”. For the purpose of sharing knowledge and good practices of the University of Silesia, she described the potential fields of cooperation between the university and research units with the self-government sector and business in the field of open research data for sustainable development of the region.
To continue the subject of open science, please join the debate: „Be open – be a scientist. Global transformation of science. Policy and Practice Perspective”, organised by the University of Silesia in Katowice and the National Science Centre. The event will take place on 15 July 2022 at 2-5 p.m. during the ESOF2022 Katowice conference. The main lecture will be given by Prof. Johan Rooryck, Executive Director of coAlition S, founder and chairman of Fair Open Access Alliance. The panellists include representatives of UNESCO, cOAlition S, European Commission, Science Europe, EOSC Future, representatives of national agencies funding research and universities, as well as organisations and institutions of the university’s environment.
The list of speakers and details of the sessions have been published at: https://www.esof.eu/events/be-open-be-scientist-the-global-transformation-of-science-policy-perspective/
Registration lasts until 14 July 2022 and takes place through the registration form available at: https://www.esof.eu/esof-2022-katowice-registration/.
WUF11, Science Zone, debate entitled “How open research data supply the development of smart urban and metropolitan areas”; from the left: Natalia Galica, Jason Whittet, Łukasz Żółciak | photo by Kasia Zaręba-Majcher
WUF11, Science Zone, speech by a representative of the City Hall in Katowice & Rawa.Ink | photo by Weronika Wolany
WUF11, Natalia Gala representing Science Department, lecture on good practices of the University of Silesia in managing research data | photo by Kasia Zaręba-Majcher