• logo

Openness in Science and Innovation

Discover the advantages of openness and gain skills to make research and innovation accessible, transparent, and collaborative.

bird swarm

Openness in Science and Innovation

  • 8 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

Delve into the open science framework with the University of Potsdam

In the changing role of research, openness can be hugely beneficial for transparency and accessibility. However, it can also present many issues for a researcher to navigate.

On this eight-week course, you’ll discover both the benefits and challenges of openness in science and innovation. With this knowledge, you’ll learn the practical tools to help overcome barriers you may face.

You’ll explore aspects and drivers of open science to understand how innovation practices for researchers, universities, businesses, and society can help solve complex social challenges.

Unpack the benefits of open innovation

Having gained a solid introduction to open science, you’ll explore the open science policy of the European Union and the goals within this.

Next, you’ll delve into open innovation and the concepts of openness to discover the benefits of this knowledge-sharing approach.

Develop your understanding of data management

To help develop your skills as a researcher, you’ll explore best practices for data management and the importance of open data.

You’ll also learn research principles to understand how you can become an open researcher.

Explore the role of science communication

Finally, you’ll discover the collaboration between science and society. You’ll unpack the theory and practice of science communication to help you gain practical skills in raising awareness of science-related topics.

Guided by international experts, you’ll create a communication and impact strategy for research to ensure you finish the course with the knowledge and resources to create openness in science and innovation.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction to the Course

    • Welcome to Week 1!

      Get to know the experts of the course and meet your fellow learners. Start your learning with an insight into the transformation of universities.

    • The Transformation of Higher Education

      Dr. Gertraud Leimüller (winnovation) discusses the evolution of higher education and a promising outlook on its future.

    • Resources

      Resources used in this step.

    • Assess your Learning

      Assess your learning on The transformation of Higher Education.

  • Week 2

    What is Open Science?

    • Welcome to Week 2!

      Clemens Blümel will introduce you this week to Open Science. He works at the German Center for Higher Education and Science Research (DZHW).

    • What is Open Science?

      The goal of this week is to introduce you to the topics and terminologies of Open Science, how Open Science is understood, why it is discussed, and what it's current drivers are.

    • Resources

      Resources of 'What is Open Science?'

    • Assess your Learning

      Assess your learning on 'What is Open Science?'.

  • Week 3

    The Open Science Policy of the European Union

    • Introduction to this Week

      Get to know Hans-Hennig von Grünberg and learn about the learning outcomes of this week.

    • The Open Science Policy of the European Union

      In this week we will discuss why Open Science and Open Innovation are important issues for the European Union.

    • Resources

      Resources used in this week.

    • Assess your Learning of Week 3

      Multiple Choice Questions to test your learning of this week.

  • Week 4

    What is Open (Social) Innovation?

    • What is Open Innovation?

      Learn about the development of Open Innovation with Dr. Gertraud Leimüller (winnovation)

    • What is Open Social Innovation?

      See how Open Innovation can be used to address social problems, with Amelie Riedesel (ProjectTogether)

    • Resources

      Resources used in this week.

    • Assess your Learning

      Assess your learning of the topics covered in this week.

  • Week 5

    Let's Talk About Data

    • Introduction to Week 5

      Get a summary of the last four weeks and let us introduce you to this week.

    • Research Data Management

      Learn about the management of data from Hendrik Gessner (University of Potsdam).

    • Open Data

      Open Data is an essential pillar of Open Science and should be part of every researcher’s skill set. Dr. Markus Konkol (University of Twente) will speak about the concepts, principles, and practices.

    • Open Reproducible Research (ORR)

      Get insights by Dr. Markus Konkol about what Open Reproducibility Research is and how you can practice it.

    • Resources

      Resources for Week 5

    • Assess your Learning

      Assess your learning of week 5

  • Week 6

    Collaboration in Science and Society

    • Introduction

      Introduction to Week 6

    • The Role of Universities in Innovation Ecosystems

      The Role of Universities in Innovation Ecosystems with Dr. Sybille Reichert (Reichert Consulting).

    • Collaborative Science

      Collaboration in Science is discussed by Clemens Blümel (DZHW).

    • Resources

      Resources used in week 6

    • Assess your Learning

      Assess your learning of Week 6.

  • Week 7

    Open Access Publication

    • Welcome to Week 7!

      Learn more about our expert on Open Access and the learning outcomes of the week.

    • The Current Academic Publishing System

      What are the major concerns regarding the current practice of publishing in closed-access journals or venues?

    • The Publication Process

      As mentioned, the term open access can apply to all kinds of scholarly information, however, this chapter will focus on text publications, which includes journal articles, monographs or contributions to edited collections.

    • Creative Commons Licences in Detail

      Learn what creative commons are and how to use them.

    • Transforming the Scholarly Publishing System

      How to transform the scholarly publishing system?

    • Resources

      Resources used in week 7

    • Assess your Learning

      Check your knowledge of week 7

  • Week 8

    How to make Open Science with an Impact?

    • Welcome to Week 8!

      This week we speak about strategies for better communication and impact of research.

    • Science Communication

      In the first part of this week Dr. Benedikt Fecher (HIIG) speaks about science communication in theory, empirically, and in practice.

    • Strategic Impact Management

      Research is innovative when it also leads to changes in practice. Bringing about the desired changes requires strategic planning. Get an insight into Strategic Impact Management with Dr. Sophia Rost (University of Potsdam).

    • Innovation Indicators

      Clemens Blümel (DZHW) introduces you in the last part of the course to the question of how to measure impactful and open research.

    • Resources

      Resources used in this week

    • Assess your Learning

      Check your understanding of week 8

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the relevance of open practices in research and innovation for science and society
  • Classify the Open Science movement in social developments and their impact on universities and science in general
  • Identify Open Science and Open Innovation methods and tools for your own project
  • Apply Open Science and Open Reproducibility Research principles to your own work
  • Evaluate appropriate tools to work collaboratively and to make your research more accessible and transparent
  • Explore the tools and methods to publish your text, data and code open
  • Explore what potential shortcomings of research and innovation indicators in the digital age are.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in open science and open innovation practices.

It will be of interest to students and researchers who want to gain theoretical insights as well as practical skills in open science.

Who developed the course?

University of Potsdam

Founded in 1991, the University of Potsdam has evolved into a unique center for science and technology within Germany.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$134/one-off payment

$39.99/month

Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 13 Jun 2024

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99/month

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 13 Jun 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...