In a significant stride towards fostering transparency and accessibility in scholarly communication, the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information has garnered widespread acclaim and endorsement from key stakeholders in the research community. Developed by a consortium of research information specialists, this initiative aims to democratize access to vital research information, including bibliographic metadata and funding details, thereby challenging the prevailing culture of proprietary infrastructures that hinder transparency and verifiability.
At the heart of the Barcelona Declaration is a steadfast commitment to openness, with signatory organizations pledging to uphold four overarching principles. Foremost among these is the principle of making openness the default standard for all research information utilized and produced—a pivotal step towards dismantling barriers to information access and promoting a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
cOAlition S, a prominent advocate for open access initiatives, has long championed the cause of open metadata. The Implementation Guidelines of Plan S, a landmark initiative aimed at accelerating the transition to open access, underscore the importance of high-quality, standardized metadata in scholarly publications. Articles published in accordance with Plan S mandates must include comprehensive article-level metadata in a standard interoperable format, alongside information on open access status and licensing terms. In light of these guidelines, cOAlition S enthusiastically welcomes the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information, urging funders and research organizations to consider endorsing this transformative initiative.
Several prominent members of the cOAlition S alliance, including the Dutch Research Council (NWO), the French National Research Agency (ANR), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), have already pledged their support for the Barcelona Declaration. Encouraged by this groundswell of support, cOAlition S remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing open research practices and looks forward to continued collaboration with stakeholders across the globe.
As the scholarly landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like the Barcelona Declaration serve as beacons of progress, guiding the research community towards a future characterized by openness, collaboration, and innovation.
Click here to read the original press release.
