Supporting Open Science in Latvia
Learn more about the newly adopted OS Strategy and recent developments in the country.
OpenAIRE helps you keep up with everything that's important in Open Science.
by Gita Rozenberga
The OpenAIRE team has the pleasure of speaking to our NOADs in Latvia, Gita Rozenberga, Chief Librarian at the Library of the University of Latvia. Read her reflections on Open Science.
How does the University of Latvia support Open Science in the country?
When and why did you decide to join OpenAIRE and become a NOAD?
The Library of the University of Latvia participated in the OpenAIRE project since its beginning (OpenAIRE, OpenAIRE-Plus, OpenAIRE 2020; OpenAIRE-Advance), and after OpenAIRE became an organization – the decision was made to become a member. OpenAIRE made progress towards Open Science much faster and more widespread. I joined the team because I was attracted by new challenges.
What do you think is missing in Latvia to fully embrace Open Science?
The scientific community would greatly benefit from research infrastructure development; a working group at the national level that would coordinate issues related to Open Science; also strong working groups in higher education and research institutions, which would have representatives from different structural units to share and exchange their knowledge and competences; involvement of Latvian representatives in international organizations and initiatives must be strengthened, including European Open Science Cloud (EOSC); linking the practice of open science with the research assessment system.
What are your top three priorities you will focus on in the next year?
- Support on research data management, in particular for the development of data management plans.
- Extending support in the context of scientific publishing.
- Promotion of citizen science and creation of educational materials for librarians, researchers and citizens, participating in the international project LibOCS.
How do you think OpenAIRE will help you succeed?
It is important that the practice of Open Science is perceived as the next stage in the development of science, and not as something separate. OpenAIRE looks at research broadly and from different aspects, it also helps us to integrate an open culture into research. OpenAIRE helps to find and see the research results of Latvian researchers. OpenAIRE helps you keep up with everything that's important in Open Science..
Earlier this year, the Latvian Government approved the Latvian Open Science Strategy 2021-2027. Can you tell us a bit more about this major milestone?
Our country did not have a national policy document for a long time. Now we have the Latvian Open Science Strategy 2021-2027, where the three main pillars for development are outlined.
The document is based on a study initiated by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia. This study aimed to help clarify the situation regarding the Open Science context in the country. A team of experts and researchers from the largest higher education and research institutions was involved in its creation. OpenAIRE also had a consultation role in its drafting.
Our new Open Science Strategy is structured in 3 pillars: Open Access to Scientific Publications, FAIR research data and Citizen Science and includes an action plan, where the directions of the tasks are recommended for various stakeholders. OpenAIRE is mentioned multiple times – in the context of improving researchers' knowledge and skills and developing an open science monitoring system. A translation of the Latvian Open Science Strategy 2021-2027 has been produced for communication and dissemination purposes. You can read it here.
Get in touch with our NOAD in Latvia!
Gita Rozenberga
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.
