Frontiers has called on European policymakers to make openness a defining feature of the region’s scientific leadership. Speaking at the European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) workshop on 'Data Sovereignty in Research: Global Dependencies, Risks, and the European Response,' Mehmet Toral, Chief Corporate Officer and General Counsel at Frontiers, urged Europe to move beyond ensuring data resilience and access to position itself as the global leader in science.
He noted that academic freedom depends on openness, which not only protects researchers’ independence but also strengthens the next generation of scientists. Toral emphasized that true data sovereignty is determined not by where data are stored but by how they are governed, shared, and reused in line with European values of transparency and accessibility. He referenced the Open Life Science Publication Database (OLSPub), supported by Frontiers and operated by ZB Med, as an example of efforts to secure sustainable access to critical databases such as PubMed.
The workshop highlighted the need to balance resilience with governance frameworks that ensure long-term data accessibility, provenance, and interoperability. Speakers agreed that open science is essential for both sovereignty and resilience, forming the basis for Europe’s continued scientific influence. The discussion also extended to the social sciences, where open data has been vital in addressing inequalities and countering discrimination.
By advancing open science alongside responsible data management, the European Union can reinforce its commitment to democracy, transparency, and inclusion. Frontiers reaffirmed that openness, supported by strong data governance, can help Europe lead globally in responsible research and innovation.
Click here to read the original press release.
