This deliverable contains all the story behind the organization of the 1st Symposium of RICH Europe project that took place on the 7th May 2024, in the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid (Spain), explaining the process of the organization and the principal conclusions of the different sessions.
The organisation of the Symposium is under the Work package WP3 – Tools and services for stakeholders, which aims to enhance the quality of knowledge of RI stakeholders who are potentially interested in benefitting from Horizon Europe RI funding opportunities. One of the main activities of this WP is the organisation of Research Infrastructures Symposiums (Task 3.4). The Symposium consisted in a keynote speaker, from the European Commission, followed by three consecutive plenary sessions, with the following thematic areas:
- Session I: How Research Infrastructures can benefit from EOSC in the implementation of the Open Science;
- Session II: Open Science practices in the Research Infrastructure WP framework: experience learnt & feedback to the Open Science policy;
- Session III: How Research Infrastructures can contribute to the European Research Area: experiences from EU projects & outlook to priorities in the future;
The plenary sessions were followed by a closing and concluding remarks session from the ESFRI Chair and from the General Research Secretary of the Science, Innovation and University Ministry of Spain, as hosting institution.
This Symposium was expected to provide a comprehensive view of (1) how research infrastructures can leverage European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) for implementing Open Science, (2) Open Science practices within the Research Infrastructure WP framework, (3) Research Infrastructures contribution to the European Research Area (ERA) insights from EU projects with special interest in how to: (3.1) support of the green/digital transition, (3.2) support broader and more sustainable access and (3.3) support interaction of RIs, infrastructures and stakeholders, including EOSC. In addition, it was expected to have an outlook, from the EC, to the future Research Infrastructure Work Programmes (2025-2027).
111 people attended the Symposium, from 30 different countries. It was followed online, thanks to the live streaming, by more than 68 participants mainly from Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria.
After the analysis of all the presentations and discussion sessions, the main outcomes of the Symposium are summarised below:
1. RIs have been key players in vertebrating the national communities across Europe. RIs are catalysts for the principles that thrive Science Policy through time.
2. Transnational access programs have transformed the way of doing science and have been crucial in integrating national communities to work into an international level.
3. The role of the Research Infrastructures is key for the development of EOSC. The ESFRI Research Infrastructures have addressed similar questions in the preparation and deployment of their infrastructures and can bring valuable experience to the cross-discipline and transnational generalisation that the EOSC platform represents.
4. The RIs are key as validators and evaluators of EOSC solutions. EOSC should be a forum to encourage validation of solutions by a wide audience such as the RIs can provide.
5. RIs and EOSC are complementary: RIs validate what can be exploited in the future and EOSC can foster the validation by a broader audience. RIs support researchers and EOSC should learn by the experience that is already there, on the other hand EOSC is bringing other communities not represented in the RIs. Converge and interaction within EOSC and the RIs is key to success.
6. The Diamond Open Access is a flagship in the implementation of the Open Science at the European level. It is needed to foster its adoption to address disparity between disciplines. Standards of maturity are needed for the success of the Diamond Open Access.
7. Data Management Plant (DMP) and Academic publishing are not only outputs but should be taken into account as part of the Open Science policy.
8. There is still a long way to go at national level regarding Open Science. A cultural change is needed to fully implement Open Science and the reform of the research assessment will help to its implementation.
9. Clear trend towards more remote or hybrid access. This has strong implications such as the workload of RIs, the interaction of RIs with users, the efficiency of training of users and staff and the potential impact on CO2 – Footprint (but depends on individual case – not necessarily remote access is more environmentally friendly than physical access).
10. User access programs are still fragmented, under-resourced and are complex at national and EU level. They increase administrative challenges due to larger EU projects, with more partners, less individual funding and shorter funding periods.
11. Science complexity requires a dedicated development effort, which should be funded as innovation, and funding innovative projects should be a priority.
12. It is important to have initiatives co-designed and co-developed with the researchers. Policy makers should make possible the requirements of the researches.
13. RIs generate crucial data and provide very important services, but it is difficult to show their real impact and value.
14. RIs should be stronger funded, mainly at a national level for the 10th Framework Programme.
15. The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) plays a crucial role as a policy advisory body within MS, AC and the European Union. ESFRI acts as a central platform for strategic thinking and collaboration, guiding the development of Research Infrastructures in Europe and contributing to the region's competitiveness in the global scientific landscape.
16. European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDICs) and Technology Infrastructures(TIs) need to be clearly defined. They represent an opportunity for Europe, but overlap and competition with RIs must be avoided and coordination at international and national level is required.
For the Symposium report here.
