Open Access

Open sciene

Open Science is the movement to make scientific research and data accessible to all for knowledge dissemination and public reuse.

 

Four pillars of open science

The UNESCO Recommendation on Open Sciencelink opens in new page, 2021, describes the four pillars of open science:

  1. Open scientific knowledge: includes open access to scientific publications, open research data, open source code, software and hardware, and open educational resources.
  2. Open science infrastructure: sharing the resources needed for research and creating solutions for open science, such as repositories of scientific data or solutions for assigning permanent identifiers to research results.
  3. Open engagement: collaboration between scientists and societal actors beyond the scientific community, such as citizen science, community and volunteer engagement, crowdfunding, and open idea and topic gathering.
  4. Open dialogue with other knowledge systems: collaboration with traditional knowledge holders and respect for the rights of indigenous and local communities, such as adherence to the CARE principleslink opens in new page.

 

Open research data

Open scientific data or open research data is data or other results created in the framework of scientific work that are made free and freely available to everyone, i.e., the data is published under an open license. Open data is expected to comply with the FAIR principleslink opens in new page: data must be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.

Today, many publishers (e.g., Nature, Science) and research funders (e.g., Horizon Europe Framework Programme) require open access to data.

Open scientific data must be equipped with unique digital identifiers and metadata, and they are stored in reliable and open repositories and can be downloaded, distributed, and used in scientific work without restrictions. The only requirement for using open scientific data is correct attribution to the author.

Open access to research data is important because 

  • ensures rational use of state financing since it helps to avoid supporting repeated research,
  • improves and broadens cooperation between different fields of science,
  • improves and furthers international cooperation.

 

Open Science in Estonia


In 2015, the Estonian Research Council established the Open Science Expert Group, which has compiled the general principles and policy recommendations document for open science in Estonia. This document is a systematic approach in the field of open science, where the principles of open science are introduced, the main open science policy options are discussed, and further activities are indicated. The purpose of the document is to create a common framework and understanding of how to handle open science issues in Estonia and to encourage the development of a national strategy and institutional policies in open science.

Estonian Research and Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy 2021—2035 

The Estonian Research and Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy 2021–2035 (RDIE) brings together, for the first time in Estonia, the goals and directions of action related to the development of research, development, innovation, and entrepreneurship in one development document.

Read morelink opens in new page about the Estonian Research, Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Plan 2021–2035 and its annexes (15.07.2021)

     Appendix 7 outlines, among other things, the principles of open science:

Principles of Open Science (forthcoming). Open science means free access to electronic scientific information, in particular publications and scientific data created and published using public funds. The open science principles are approved in five areas: 1) access to scientific publications; 2) open scientific data; 3) communication and skills related to open science; 4) infrastructure; and 5) evaluation of research. In addition, a governance and coordination scheme for open science is formulated.

Open Access Week

"Who owns our knowledge?"

From 20 to 26 October 2025, the International Open Access Week will once again take place, focusing this year on the theme “Who owns our knowledge? ” 

During Open Access Week 2025link opens in new page discussions will focus on who has access to education and research, how knowledge is created and shared, where that knowledge originates, and whose voices are recognized and valued.

The following events will take place

at the Estonian University of Life Sciences Library

during Open Access Week:

20–24 October, there will be an information desk in the library with materials introducing open access.

On 20 and 21 October, you can consult Services Development Manager Kersti Laupa with questions about data management and publishing.

You can book a suitable time in advance herelink opens in new page

23 October at 1 p.m. How does it actually work – come and watch live how research materials are added to EMU DSpace and how they receive a DOI!

Karmen Kalk, Li Seppet, and Kersti Laupa will give a case-based look behind the scenes of the Estonian University of Life Sciences self-service environment and EMU DSpace.

On 24 October at 10 a.m., a new compendium of references — From the EMU scientists to society 2024 — will be added to the EMU DSpace digital archive, 

this is because providing user-friendly access to research-based information and referencing the research conducted in our university’s areas of responsibility is very important for popularizing the research results of the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The University of Tartu Library

invites all doctoral students studying in Estonia to the training session “How to Publish Open Access?”link opens in new page on 21 October.

In addition, there is an opportunity to participate in various English-language

online training courses and seminars

(pre-registration required). More information herelink opens in new page.

From October 21st to 27th, the International Open Access Week will once again take place, aiming to promote the use and publication of open-access scientific information. This year's theme continues to be Community over Commercialization, prioritizing the interests of the public and the academic community.

 

Events of Open Access Week at the Estonian University of Life Sciences Library

 

21. 10 at 10 a.m. we will open an Open Access information desk in the library for the whole week

22. - 24. 10 personal consultations for drafting a data management plan will take place in library room 072, where Kersti Laupa will share her knowledge and experience

You can book a consultation time that suits you herelink opens in new page

The booking confirmation will be sent to your email

 

23. 10 at 2 p.m. Li Seppet will introduce the possibilities of publishing scientific data and publications in the renewed digital archive of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, EMU DSpacelink opens in new page

25. 10 at 10 a.m. A new collection of references From the EMU scientists to society 2023link opens in new page will be added to the EMU DSpace digital archive, because it is very important to popularize the research results of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, it is essential to create user-friendly access to research-based information and refer to the research works carried out in the areas of responsibility of our university

 

As part of Open Access Week, Open Access information desks and training are held in major university libraries. The Open Sciencelink opens in new page website provides more information on the events.

Additionally, it is possible to participate in various online trainings and seminars in English (preregistration required). More information at openaccessweek.orglink opens in new page.

 

Kersti Laupa, director of library service development, is happy to answer questions related to Open Access Week

[email protected]

Phone 731 3495

The Open Science concept promotes research efficiency, transparency, and interdisciplinary collaboration, drives innovation and benefits society. With the evolving demands of research funders and digital technologies, Open Science has gained significance in Estonia as well. Throughout the years, university libraries have collected knowledge and experience in this field to offer the necessary support and services to academics.

 

During the Open Access Week of October 23-27, 2023, we invite researchers, doctoral students, research administrators, librarians, and other interested parties to participate in the webinar, familiarize themselves with the latest instructional materials, and update their knowledge about open science.

 

Webinar  „Data protection in Research“ on 25.10. from 13:00 to 14:30 in the Zoom environment. 

The webinar will feature three presentations, two of which will be in Estonian, and one in English. The presentations will cover the following topics: 

You can register for the webinar herelink opens in new page. 

The event is organized by DataCite Estonia, OpenAIRE Estonian NOAD ja RDA Estonia.  

 

Open Access publishing

 

Useful webinars for more information:

 

Useful documents and guidelines:

 

On the subject of open science, you are supported at the Estonian University of Life Sciences by

Kersti Laupa
Director of Library Development
[email protected]

First time at the Estonian University of Life Sciences: International Open Access Week

 

Open Access Week is a global event and an opportunity for the academic and research community to learn about the potential benefits of Open Access, to share what they’ve learned with colleagues, and to help inspire wider participation in helping to make Open Access a new norm in scholarship and research. 

 

From 24th to 30th October, on the initiative of DataCite Estonia, the libraries of the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences and Tallinn University present the possibilities of open science.
During OA Week the Estonian University of Life Sciences will be hosted different events and introduced Open Science services and initiatives. 

 

In the EMU library, on Monday and Wednesday from 12 AM to 2 PM, you can communicate with specialists on topics related to open science and scientific data, ask questions and receive instructions.

During the whole week, it is possible to participate in the open access week events organized by other universities and get to know various services and platforms.

 

Topics of the week:

Mon 24.10

Tuesday 25.10

Wed 26.10

  • Open sciencelink opens in new page and research data management
  • 11-12 UT researcher and climate activist Madis Vasser's workshop "How do you know the climate is warming?". The goals of climate neutrality, the measurement and calculation of greenhouse gases, and whether and how they could be measured and validated with open science tools will be discussed. The workshop will take place in the Kodavere room of the UT library, and both people who believe that there is still enough time to deal with climate change, as well as those who believe that we are already over the threshold of catastrophic warming today, are welcome.
  • 12-14 consultations in the library 

Thu 27.10

Fri 28.10

 

The EMU library joins the scientific poster collection campaign initiated by UT.

We invite all researchers, doctoral and master's students who have presented poster presentations at scientific conferences to preserve them in the digital archive EMU DSpace. The poster file should be sent to [email protected] with the main metadata (title, authors, conference name and venue, and date of presentation). The collected posters are published under the CC license in the digital archive EMU DSpace.

Avatud teadus

The purpose of this website is to introduce various aspects of open science and provide an overview of open science activities in Estonia.

avatudteadus.ee link opens in new page
Avatud teadus

The contact person for open science issues

Kersti Laupa

Services Development Manager

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs’ area of responsibility

Library

+372 7313495

+372 7313495

5210082

5210082
[email protected]
More info