Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EOSC Track (EOSC Track: Implementing the European Open Science monitoring mechanism)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2025-06-30
EOSC Track develops and operates the EOSC Open Science Observatory, a policy intelligence platform that monitors Open Science and EOSC policies, practices, and capacities across Europe. Building on the existing EOSC Future platform, EOSC Track upgrades it into an open, trusted, and user-friendly tool for policymakers, integrating automated data from trusted sources, interactive visualisations, and expert narratives. It aims to harmonise monitoring efforts, support evidence-based policy, and foster long-term sustainability through co-design with the EOSC tripartite partnership and other stakeholders.
During the first 18 months of EOSC Track, strong progress was made towards its technical and scientific objectives, particularly in establishing the EOSC Open Science Observatory as a robust, policy-relevant, and user-driven platform for monitoring Open Science and EOSC in Europe.
A) Platform Development and Enhancements
The Observatory was successfully migrated from its EOSC Future legacy and relaunched at https://eoscobservatory.eu(öffnet in neuem Fenster) with a new design, improved navigation, and extended functionality. Key updates include:
- New indicators, visualisations, and composite metrics expanding the monitoring scope beyond Open Access.
- Interactive country pages and thematic narratives built on a co-created narrative framework.
- A modular backend enabling automated data ingestion and survey prefill from sources like OpenAIRE Graph and Eurostat.
- Full adherence to open-source and FAIR principles.
- Preparations for the official launch event co-organised with UNESCO.
B) Monitoring Framework and Data Collection
The EOSC SB Monitoring Framework was updated through co-creation with EC, EOSC-A, and national stakeholders. The 2023 EOSC SB Survey was conducted and integrated into the platform, and the 2024 edition was launched. Key results include:
- Refined and expanded indicators, including on impact.
- Reduced survey burden via prefilled data from trusted sources.
- Updated country narrative framework now powering dynamic country pages.
C) Sustainability and Strategy
Initial sustainability planning began, including a platform handover checklist, a dedicated workshop, and discussions on governance, IP, and long-term ownership beyond 2027.
D) Co-Creation and Stakeholder Engagement
The project successfully involved stakeholders, especially EOSC SB members, in shaping both the framework and the platform. This increased relevance and usability while supporting stakeholder understanding of Open Science monitoring. Broader engagement efforts will expand in the second reporting period.
A) Platform Development and Enhancements
The Observatory was successfully migrated from its EOSC Future legacy and relaunched at https://eoscobservatory.eu(öffnet in neuem Fenster) with a new design, improved navigation, and extended functionality. Key updates include:
- New indicators, visualisations, and composite metrics expanding the monitoring scope beyond Open Access.
- Interactive country pages and thematic narratives built on a co-created narrative framework.
- A modular backend enabling automated data ingestion and survey prefill from sources like OpenAIRE Graph and Eurostat.
- Full adherence to open-source and FAIR principles.
- Preparations for the official launch event co-organised with UNESCO.
B) Monitoring Framework and Data Collection
The EOSC SB Monitoring Framework was updated through co-creation with EC, EOSC-A, and national stakeholders. The 2023 EOSC SB Survey was conducted and integrated into the platform, and the 2024 edition was launched. Key results include:
- Refined and expanded indicators, including on impact.
- Reduced survey burden via prefilled data from trusted sources.
- Updated country narrative framework now powering dynamic country pages.
C) Sustainability and Strategy
Initial sustainability planning began, including a platform handover checklist, a dedicated workshop, and discussions on governance, IP, and long-term ownership beyond 2027.
D) Co-Creation and Stakeholder Engagement
The project successfully involved stakeholders, especially EOSC SB members, in shaping both the framework and the platform. This increased relevance and usability while supporting stakeholder understanding of Open Science monitoring. Broader engagement efforts will expand in the second reporting period.
EOSC Track has delivered several results that go beyond the current state of the art in Open Science monitoring:
• Advanced Monitoring Capabilities: The EOSC Open Science Observatory introduces a novel monitoring model that goes far beyond OA publications, incorporating dynamic dashboards, policy indicators, and visualisations tailored to policymakers, making complex data actionable.
• Automation and Prefill Mechanisms: The integration of automatic data ingestion from trusted sources (e.g. OpenAIRE Graph, CoARA, Eurostat) and prefill functions significantly reduces survey burden and increases efficiency, setting a precedent for how national-level surveys can be conducted in the future.
• Country Narratives and Thematic Insights: The new model for multi-stakeholder country narratives, co-designed through open consultations, provides contextualised, story-driven insights into Open Science implementation, an approach not yet standard in policy monitoring.
• AI-enabled Policy Resource Registry: The upcoming AI-supported module for classifying and summarising policies is a pioneering effort in applying NLP and automation to Open Science governance.
• Co-Creation as a Monitoring Strategy: The project’s deep integration of stakeholder co-creation (Survey Café, consultations, etc.) strengthens mutual understanding and adoption, creating a replicable model for participatory policy monitoring.
To ensure further uptake and success of these innovations, key next steps include:
• Continued in training and communication to support end-users
• Further integration with ERA and global efforts (e.g. UNESCO OSMI)
• Sustained funding and governance models to ensure continuity after 2027
• Advanced Monitoring Capabilities: The EOSC Open Science Observatory introduces a novel monitoring model that goes far beyond OA publications, incorporating dynamic dashboards, policy indicators, and visualisations tailored to policymakers, making complex data actionable.
• Automation and Prefill Mechanisms: The integration of automatic data ingestion from trusted sources (e.g. OpenAIRE Graph, CoARA, Eurostat) and prefill functions significantly reduces survey burden and increases efficiency, setting a precedent for how national-level surveys can be conducted in the future.
• Country Narratives and Thematic Insights: The new model for multi-stakeholder country narratives, co-designed through open consultations, provides contextualised, story-driven insights into Open Science implementation, an approach not yet standard in policy monitoring.
• AI-enabled Policy Resource Registry: The upcoming AI-supported module for classifying and summarising policies is a pioneering effort in applying NLP and automation to Open Science governance.
• Co-Creation as a Monitoring Strategy: The project’s deep integration of stakeholder co-creation (Survey Café, consultations, etc.) strengthens mutual understanding and adoption, creating a replicable model for participatory policy monitoring.
To ensure further uptake and success of these innovations, key next steps include:
• Continued in training and communication to support end-users
• Further integration with ERA and global efforts (e.g. UNESCO OSMI)
• Sustained funding and governance models to ensure continuity after 2027