Research librarians are central to the preparation, production, and dissemination of research in their institutions, as well as acting as a central point of contact for researchers’ general needs. From implementing the latest industry publishing standards to providing guidance on data sharing and different publishing models, librarians can play a crucial role in the uptake of open science, including Platforms like Open Research Europe.
Kristiina Hormia-Poutanen, Director of Services at the National Library of Finland, discusses how Open Research Europe and research librarians can work together to help achieve more openness and transparency in research.
Tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be involved in LIBER and Open Research Europe
I served as the President of LIBER (Ligue des Bibliothèques Européennes de Recherche/ Association of European Research Libraries) from 2014-2018 and, during my presidency, LIBER developed a new strategy which had open science at its center.
At the same time, the Open Science Policy Platform (OSPP) was formed which consisted of 25 representatives from relevant European Open Science stakeholders, including LIBER, and I was admitted to the advisory group as LIBER’s representative.
Of course, Open Research Europe fitted perfectly into LIBER’s new strategy and what the OSPP was trying to achieve in the drive towards open science. So, when LIBER saw the Open Research Europe project proposal, we were keen to be involved and to help communicate the value of the Platform to LIBER’s network and beyond.
Why are open access initiatives like Open Research Europe important for research libraries and their researchers?
We’re responsible for national licensing of research materials at the National Library of Finland, and open access publishing is obviously a key element in our licensing work.
However, we also want to enable our own researchers to publish open access, and to encourage a change in the publishing sector. At the moment, traditional publishers’ business models are not changing in line with the movement towards open access, and high levels of income are still placed above all else.
I think it’s really important to create competition in the publishing field to give traditional publishers a reason to alter their business model. Open access and open peer review publishing options like Open Research Europe could offer this much-needed competition – while giving researchers and research libraries more choice when it comes to alternative publishing methods.
What are the main challenges research librarians face when it comes to the Open Research Europe Platform?
I think building awareness of the Platform and ensuring its visibility within the research community is key – at the moment, when I’m speaking to researchers within my network, I notice that some of them are not yet aware of Open Research Europe.
In my experience, researchers need to see case studies, publishing statistics, and other researchers’ success before they will consider another publishing venue, so the Platform and all its great work must be visible and must be seen as an accessible place to publish work with a process that is both easy and provides good results.
Libraries have a vital role here in communicating this message to their researchers and to show that Open Research Europe is an attractive option for a wide range of researchers, particularly early career researchers (ECRs) who are new to publishing.
What tip can you give to research librarians wishing to introduce Open Research Europe to their researchers?
I think strategic connections that extend beyond the library are important – for example the main research funders in each country need to be informed and involved in Open Research Europe advocacy.
Similarly, employing a two-pronged approach with universities could help with uptake. For example, university directors also need to become advocates for the Platform, and organisations such as LERU (League of European Research Universities) can work together with libraries to create widespread communication campaigns. This way, we reach researchers from both sides: the research library and the university.
How would you envision the future of Open Research Europe and its relationship with research libraries and researchers?
Open Research Europe fits perfectly into the current changing landscape of publishing, and the open science movement in general.
It also shows the commitment of the European Commission to open science, enabling open access publishing, and because of this commitment I think we can expect big results from the Platform in the future.
Whenever we in the library hear feedback from researchers that have published with Open Research Europe, it’s always very positive. The peer review process is very fast and very easy. People like it. Those researchers who use it have a very good opinion of the Platform.
But the challenge for the future is making Open Research Europe a foundational part of the research process to ensure visibility and accessibility.
We’d like to thank Rosie Allison, Community Engagement & Communication Officer at LIBER, for conducting this interview on behalf of Open Research Europe. To learn more about LIBER, visit the LIBER website here.
