Examples of open research projects

To give you an idea of what open research can look like, here are some examples. It is a good idea to open these in a new tab or window (right mouse click or long press), so you can easily return to this page:

Example 1: The International Virtual Observatory Alliance [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] (IVOA) is an impressive project in astronomy. IVOA is a framework that allows astronomical data to be shared and accessed globally. Over the years, the IVOA has developed standards and protocols to facilitate the seamless integration of data from various observatories, making it available to the global community. Have a play around with ESA Sky (built on IVOA protocols) yourself!

Example 2: The mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub is an innovative project in the field of biotechnology and global health. Established by the WHO (World Health Organization) to facilitate the widespread production of mRNA vaccines, this hub provides training, resources, and support to manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries. This openness enables a broader range of producers to develop mRNA vaccines, helping to combat pandemics and improve global health security.

Example 3: The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) funds rigorous, high-quality evaluations of educational interventions. They are conducted by independent evaluators rather than the team that initially developed the intervention. All studies are registered ahead of time and the evaluation protocol is published in advance. All study findings are published on the EEF website, regardless of the outcome of the study.

Example 4: The Pelagios Network is an inspiring example from the humanities. It is a community of researchers, data scientists and curators who use linked data methods and tools to investigate the past. Their interests are wide-ranging (history, language, archaeology, conservation, etc.) and span the field of cultural heritage, including universities, galleries, libraries, archives and museums. There’s more on this project in the next section.