Task 3.1: Global Alignment of repository networks

This task will focus on the alignment of regional networks of repositories in order to create an infrastructure that can connect across geographic boundaries. Alignment will help to avoid regional silos and support global interoperability of open access e-infrastructures. While regional diversity is important and will support innovation, there are a number of common approaches that can be adopted to facilitate exchange of data across repositories and the development of global value added services. These include the harmonization of some policy elements, and adoption of standardized impact measures, publication tracking methods, metadata elements, vocabularies, researcher IDs and so on. This task will review the current state of alignment of repository networks and work towards further integration at key networks around the work including Latin America, North America, China and Australasia. This will lead to a report of current state of repository alignment across the world (deliverable 3.1). In order to promote global interoperability, communications with regional/national/thematic networks as well as other stakeholders will play a central role. The task will also involve facilitating ongoing dialogue with other repository networks around the world to identify priorities and determine mechanisms for working together. This task will also ensure that other communities are aware of the value of alignment by liaising with other communities including policy makers, the research data community, publishers, and research administrative systems. The task will involve organization of meetings to bring together representatives from repository networks (see list of milestones) and liaising with other stakeholder communities worldwide, including presentations at major international conferences and attendance at important meetings. It will also support communications across regions to raise visibility of global trends and inform about open access developments in institutional repositories and research infrastructures. A report on the progress of international alignment of repository infrastructures will conclude activities, including an analysis of the role of Europe and its research institutions in international collaborations (D3.5). Activities in this task will be closely connected to WP 2 (Dissemination and Advocacy) and WP4 (Training and Support).

LEADER: COAR
PARTICIPANTS: CLARA, UMINHO

Task 3.2: LIAISING with related initiatives

Given the rapid pace of change in this environment, it will be extremely important that OpenAIRE maintains an ongoing dialogue with other key players. This task will involve liaising with other related initiatives working in the area of research infrastructures and open access issues including Research Data Alliance, Global Research Council, Science Europe, G8 Working Group, UNESCO, FAO, NGOs, OKFN, W3C, SPARC, DataCite, euroCRIS, and ESFRI projects. Concretely, activities in this task will include the identification and selection of issues and goals that need cooperation of initiatives and networks. This will result in a liaison strategy as a deliverable. Presentation at major international conferences will complement activities and activities will be included in dissemination activities, e.g. newsletter highlights.

LEADER: UGOE
PARTICIPANTS: UoA, CNR

TASK 3.3: Pilot(s) showcasing global interoperability

This task will expand the adoption of guidelines developed through OpenAIRE in Latin America in order to demonstrate of the feasibility of repository interoperability. OpenAIRE has developed practices and technologies that enable users (including funders) to track publications in the repository network according to research project, funding agency and so on. The use of common guidelines and technologies in both Latin America and Europe, two large regions, would promote further adoption in other regions and build momentum for global alignment. The task will assess the current state of adoption of DRIVER and OpenAIRE Guidelines in Latin America and identify barriers to their implementation. It will then promote the adoption of guidelines in the region through a workshop, and develop a roadmap outlining the strategy for implementation in different countries. Information will be disseminated in various ways including a virtual workshop. The CNR and UoA will adapt the OpenAIRE validator for Latin America (with LaReferencia branding). CNR and UoA will also assess the feasibility of implementing a LaReferencia instance of the D-NET aggregator in Europe that will demonstrate the value of the adoption of guidelines in Latin America.

LEADER: CLARA
PARTICIPANTS: CNR, UoA, COAR, UMINHO