ISOSC 2023 unveils global open science progress and EGI’s key role in advancing Open Science Cloud
The International Symposium on Open Science Cloud (ISOSC) 2023, hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) at the Computer Network and Information Center, took place from September 4th to 6th. The symposium provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in open science on a global scale.
The opening plenary session featured presentations by UNESCO, introducing the Open Science Recommendation published in 2021. This recommendation serves as a guiding document for advancing global open science. Following this, representatives from the International Science Council (ISC) and CODATA discussed the implementation challenges and progress made in line with UNESCO's recommendation.
A significant highlight of the symposium was the insightful presentations on open science development worldwide. Speakers from the Africa Open Science Platform (AOSP), Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Europe, Latin America, and Australia ARDC shared their experiences and progress in promoting open science within their respective regions. These presentations collectively painted a comprehensive picture of the global landscape of open science. From their report, it becomes evident that:
- Open Science research is being actively practised.
- Open Access for research publication and the establishment of data repositories are firmly in place.
- The FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) have gained widespread acceptance.
- There is a resounding call for a trustworthy research environment conducive to sharing and collaboration.
Parallel sessions at the event delved into international science collaborations and achievements, specifically focusing on the requirements for the Global Open Science Cloud (GOSC) and the added value it can bring to the scientific community.
One notable contribution to the symposium was the publication of the GOSC vision and initial successes. This publication, released during the conference, provides valuable insights into the future of open science and the achievements made so far.
EGI played a significant role in the ISOSC 2023 conference. Ludek Matyska, a senior EGI council member, presented on the development of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and EGI’s pivotal role in keynotes. Ludek was also invited to participate in a discussion panel, where he shared the European experience in advancing open science through the EGI network. EOSC stands as a pivotal force in the Open Science initiative, embodying the essence of a “web of scientific insight.” Operating on FAIR principles, EOSC unites a diverse array of data sources into a dynamic, collaborative ecosystem, transcending disciplinary boundaries. Positioned as a priority in European policies since 2016 and supported by a substantial commitment of 1 billion euros, EOSC aligns seamlessly with sectoral data spaces and engages globally. It emphasizes multi-stakeholder collaboration, machine-actionability, and the centrality of research in its principles, aiming to facilitate openly accessible research outcomes. E-infrastructures play a vital role, bolstering EOSC’s capabilities and contributing essential expertise, enabling EOSC to effectively serve data and facilitate seamless interoperability. EGI, a pivotal contributor to EOSC’s development, has played a central role in coordinating and advancing EOSC across its phases, reinforcing its commitment to the European Open Science Cloud’s continued growth and success.
Another eminent EGI council member, Ingemar Häggström, took the helm as the co-chair of the Global Incoherent Scatter Radar case study. Ingemar presented the initial success story of the collaboration between EISCAT-3D and China’s Sanya Incoherent Scatter Radar (SYISR). EISCAT-3D, a state-of-the-art radar system in Europe, and the SYISR, located in East Asia, found common ground for collaboration. This cross-regional partnership holds immense potential for groundbreaking research, but the lack of existing digital infrastructures for seamless data sharing necessitates collaborative solutions from Europe (EGI FedCloud) and China (CSTCloud), perfectly aligning with the GOSC vision.
I am an active contributor to the CODATA GOSC steering group, the Technical Infrastructure Working Group, and the Radar case study. I firmly believe that GOSC serves as an indispensable platform for enabling the exchange of knowledge and expertise, thereby nurturing global collaboration and engagement.
The symposium’s forward-looking discussions revolved around the future trajectory of GOSC development. Preliminary concepts include leveraging UNESCO as the overarching organisation for the implementation of the Open Science Recommendation, pursuing connections with UN SDG funding channels, and nurturing international scientific collaborations. Additionally, plans were laid for establishing national hubs across diverse regions, further fortifying global cooperation in open science.
ISOSC 2023 culminated as an unmitigated triumph, solidifying the centrality of open science on the global stage, and uniting nations in a shared vision for the future of research and discovery. The symposium emerged as a critical nexus of intellectual exchange, underscoring the substantial progress achieved on a global scale and spotlighting the pivotal role of entities like EGI in shaping the future of open science cloud infrastructure.