The path to a shared vision for open science at the Berlin University Alliance

With the aim of developing an OpenX-strategy that is supported by a broad majority, as many experts and users as possible are being involved in the process. The development of the strategy was therefore organized as a two-stage consultation process with experts and users, which began in the first half of 2022.

In the first step, focus group discussions were held on various topics. The task was to develop a common understanding of the requirements for the strategy and to work out initial guidelines. We invited representatives of the alliance partners to the following focus groups to share our understanding of open science:

• Open access to publications
• Open data and research data management
• Open science skills in teaching and continuing education
• Open source and open hardware
• Citizen science, transdisciplinarity, and innovation transfer
• Open science and evaluation systems

The second step was a strategy conference in an open space format on July 8, 2022, where the results of the focus groups, preliminary work, and comments were discussed and compiled into a draft text. The one-day open space event took place on July 8, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Umweltforum Berlin-Friedrichshain.

An important result of the consultations is a mission statement for open science at the Berlin University Alliance. It was developed from the initial drafts, comments from the participants, and discussions with the governing bodies. The mission statement was approved by the Board of Directors on May 22, 2023, and also accepted by the academic senates of the alliance universities and the faculty council of Charité by November 15, 2023.

From mission statement to agenda: priorities for the alliance and its partners

The mission statement sets out nine missions with which the shared vision is to be realized in specific areas. These missions are already being implemented in various projects and activities. Following agreement on a joint mission statement, we are continuing to work on common priorities, which are being developed in expert groups within the alliance partners. The presentation of the mission statement to more than 20 faculty councils of the alliance also provided valuable input for the expert groups. The prioritization agenda was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Berlin University Alliance in July 2025. To the full text.