As we live in a society with ever-increasing resource extraction and consumption rates, many ecological consequences have become inevitable, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, etc. Extracting raw materials and discarding them after usage is simply not a sustainable practice. The bioeconomy represents a significant element in addressing these challenges and transforming society by meeting material demands with renewable resources, in an efficient and sustainable manner.
Yet, to fully utilize its potential, we must spread the relevant knowledge and scale good practices. This is where Open Science becomes essential, as it enables us to efficiently and ethically share data and other scientific outputs, and involve citizens and other stakeholders in the research process. In other words, Open Science has the potential to accelerate the progress in bioeconomy research by creating a more inclusive, collaborative, and transparent research environment.
Visiting BOKU University in Vienna
The team of researchers and managers from the Institute for Development and Innovation visited BOKU University, together with representatives of the University in Banja Luka and the Hungarian Innovation Agency, with an aim to share experiences and exchange best practices related to developing bioeconomy and implementing Open Science practices.
BOKU representatives shared valuable experiences related to research data management, and repository administration, and presented their practices in developing and managing Horizon Europe projects. In addition, the group discussed relevant results of their research related to socio-cultural aspects of bioeconomy, and recent bioeconomy developments on national and EU levels.
Lastly, the team toured the BOKU Türkenschanze campus and visited the Research Data Expo at the Technical University of Vienna, where BOKU’s first data steward showcased the most recent developments in Austrian research data management.
Analysing the implementation of Open Science practices in European universities
The Institute for Development and Innovation contributes to the advancement of bioeconomy and Open Science by conducting assessments of Open Science practices in 12 Higher Education Institutions and Research Institutes across Europe and developing roadmaps to their successful implementation. The results will be shared in the upcoming period, and they will be used to improve Open Science practices at the targeted institutions and as applicable insights for the wider Open Science community.
Presented activities are realized through the BEAMING project supported by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe Programme. The project aims to promote excellence and innovation in the bioeconomy through collaboration among higher education institutions in Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, as well as the Western Balkans.