Experts react to the ground-breaking White House guidance on scientific research
In August 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy unveiled vital new policy guidance to make the results of publicly funded scientific research in the United States immediately free to access and available to all. We strongly backed that guidance, the so-called ‘Nelson memo’.
At Frontiers, we want to see all science open, so that scientists can collaborate better and innovate faster, for fairer outcomes in all parts of society. We want to achieve the fullest possible access to our collective knowledge.
The public pays for billions of dollars of scientific research every year, and two thirds of its results are locked behind publishing paywalls. Science for the few, not the many.
So, we asked a small set of leading experts to share their reactions to the Nelson memo – the signal it sends, its likely impact, and the challenges facing its delivery. We received a range of views, which we share here.
The context is stark. We face global, existential threats, from health emergencies to climate change. We can manage and reverse these threats to live healthy lives on a healthy planet. But that will require political will, global collaboration, and scientific breakthrough at a scale not yet seen. On all those counts, success will depend on the widespread sharing of the latest scientific knowledge. All of it.
Dr. Jean-Claude Burgelman
Editor in Chief, Frontiers Policy Labs
Professor of Open Science Policy at the Free University of Brussels
In my view this new policy gains important parity with European policy and in doing so positions the US as 'joint-leader' in the global policy push for fully open access science. It means a significant portion of the world’s population will be able to exploit the benefits of open science. I have little doubt that the impact and import of the Nelson Memo will trickle down to – and shape concrete action from – universities, large foundations, and the broad data communities in the US.
To gauge the likely impact of the Nelson Memo and to add to this international policy debate, we invited experts – rather as we did in response to last year's recommendations from UNESCO – to share their views here: on the policy's symbolic importance, for the US and the world; on its likely impact on open access science and open data sharing; and on potential pitfalls in its delivery.
I invite all readers and interested parties to contribute to this debate here at the Frontiers Policy Labs.
“This could be a game changer, if funders think out of the box and establish new models of open access that can then be adopted by others.”
Anindita Bhadra
Associate Dean of International Relations and Outreach
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata
“This policy change solidifies the growing view that this is the future of knowledge dissemination, and that the status quo is no longer fit for a global research enterprise.”
Ashley Farley
Program Officer of Knowledge and Research Services
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
“Bringing research literature out from behind paywalls will contribute to social cohesion and a culture of collaboration. It will drive discovery, innovation, and prosperity.”
Dr Cathy Foley
Chief Scientist of Australia
“The recurring reference to ‘equity of access’ is particularly welcome. One should not underestimate the signal that we reflect on the 'Global North' culture of colonization of knowledge and research.”
Thanos Giannakopoulos
Chief, Information Management Section Department of Global Communications
United Nations
“The memorandum highlights the U.S. government’s commitment to open science. Industries that rely on profits from gatekeeping will surely exert pressure to adopt implementation that favors the status quo.”
Heather Joseph
Executive Director
SPARC
“With this policy, and the suggestion the U.S. government sees the need to play catch-up with Europe and other regions in the world, we may have reached a historic tipping point.”
Prof Dr Barend Mons
Professor of BioSemantics, Human Genetics Department
Leiden University Medical Center
“For the Global South, and the African continent specifically, the efficiency and productivity gains from open science present a compelling case for government research funding in the context of limited resources.”
Dr Tshiamo Motshegwa
Director
The African Open Science Platform
“This new US policy is a game changer for scholarly publishing. Such a strong statement, from a country that is leading in many research areas, will greatly advance efforts for global open access.”
Johan Rooryck
Executive Director
cOAlition S
“This policy update is a significant step towards global open science. However, there is still some way to go until we eliminate fundamental biases that affect researchers, institutions, and countries with fewer financial resources.”
Wouter Schallier
Chief of the Library and Web Services
United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
“The Nelson memo is an important milestone on the road to open access science. And it is a significant milestone in our collective path towards full and immediate open access to articles and other research products.”
Kathleen Shearer
Executive Director
COAR
“The guidelines in practice mean there will be an alignment of policies between Europe and the United States on Open Access which is great news for science and innovation.”
Robert-Jan Smits
President of the Executive Board
Eindhoven University of Technology
“This is a major endorsement of open access in the US, given that the funding agencies that have joined the immediate open access movement have predominantly been located in Europe.”
Rémi Quirion
Office of the Québec Chief Scientist and President of INGSA
“This guidance represents great progress, but it is important to recognize this is just a first step. The US should extend this initiative to the next-generation open science, working with European, multilateral, and global actors.”
Dr. Stefaan G. Verhulst
Co-Founder, Chief Research, Development Officer and Data Program Director
The GovLab (Governance Lab)
New York University
Supporting the OSTP memorandum “Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research”
Publishers:
Copernicus Publications
eLife
Frontiers
JMIR Publications
MDPI
Open Library of Humanities
PeerJ
PLOS
Ubiquity Press
