MLE on Open Science - Altmetrics and Rewards

The limitations of current mainstream research metrics — and the need to develop and promote alternatives, in order to better measure the impact of research, allocate funding and reward researchers — were discussed at the kick-off meeting for the MLE on Open Science. It was emphasised that metrics and incentives need to take into account impacts on society, not just the progress of science, and should encourage researchers to promote and use Open Science resources and approaches.

What are the benefits and challenges of the different types of altmetrics used in the EU today? The meeting discussed these as well as existing practices, and instruments used, in the countries participating in the MLE on Open Science. In addition, discussions covered what types of impacts are important for different stakeholders in the participating countries and whether altmetrics could contribute to their measurement. 

The participants discussed ‘how to engage with altmetrics in the context of Open Science’, followed by a brief presentation of the main findings of the report recently released by the EC's Expert Group on ‘next-generation metrics’. In addition, participating countries had the opportunity to learn from the experiences of Finnish actors in the field, including the Finnish Ministry of Education's commitment and approach to Open Science and some success stories linked to the Open Science initiative. Finally, Finnish universities shared their experience in using altmetrics.

This two-day learning exercise focused on the incentives and rewards that can persuade research and innovation (R&I) actors to engage with Open Science and embrace its benefits. The development and implementation of specific incentives and rewards for Open Science practices depends on the stakeholders involved as well as the field, community and location in question. Discussions focused on this diversity of approaches and contexts as well on the obstacles and practicalities in relation to such incentives.

In this final country visit of the MLE, participants met stakeholders from Switzerland to discuss and exchange experience. The mission focused on developing and implementing policies and actions to incentivise researchers and institutions to engage with Open Science. Participants also discussed common Open Science principles, guidelines and requirements regarding the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, their employers and funders.

The purpose of the final meeting of the MLE was to discuss the final report, which summarises the findings and provides good practices and role models, the obstacles and hindrances, the perspectives of the EU Member States regarding Open Science, and recommendations for change.

Open Science covers not just open access, but everything from the sharing of research data to the growth of citizen science – and it paves the way for new metrics, incentives and rewards for research. This final conference will explore synergies between the good practices and lessons learned during the  MLE on Open Science, and relevant developments in Belgian Open Science policies. Debates will especially focus on the needs of researchers working in an Open Science environment – covering appropriate skills, incentives and rewards.