Ron Aardening Ron Aardening - Reflections, Notes, and Notions
June 30th, 2025

A Collective Step Forward: The Bologna Meeting on Open Research Information

open science


Discover how the Bologna Meeting on Open Research Information is shaping the future of scholarly communication, open access, and academic transparency. Learn about the global push for open research information, practical steps for implementation, and why this matters for institutions and researchers worldwide.
A diverse group of researchers and professionals gather in the historic courtyard of the University of Bologna, exchanging ideas under the warm glow of the setting sun, symbolising the spirit of collaboration at the Bologna Meeting on Open Research Information. By Ron Aardening

When nearly 200 participants from 35 countries gathered—both in person and online—at the University of Bologna last May, it was clear that the open research information movement is both global and growing. 

The Bologna Meeting held as part of the 5th Workshop on Open Citations and Open Scholarly Metadata (WOOC2025) was not just another conference. It was a workshop for change, a space where signatories and supporters of the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information could roll up their sleeves and get to work on making openness the default for research information.

Why This Matters

Open research information is about more than just transparency. It’s about who controls the data that shapes academic careers, institutional strategies, and funding decisions. 

For too long, much of this data has been locked in proprietary systems, such as Web of Science and Scopus, making it difficult for institutions—especially those with limited resources—to access, use, and build upon it. 

The Barcelona Declaration, which now counts over 40 organisations among its signatories, is a direct response to this challenge. It calls for a collective commitment to openness, aiming to make research information more inclusive, transparent, and accountable.

From Principles to Practice

What stood out at Bologna was the focus on implementation. Participants didn’t just discuss lofty ideals—they shared concrete steps and practical strategies for achieving them. 

Representatives from Fundación “la Caixa”, the California Digital Library, and the Dutch signatories of the Barcelona Declaration discussed how they are implementing the principles of the Declaration in practice. Their stories highlighted the real-world challenges of aligning institutional processes, negotiating with publishers, and shifting away from closed systems.


The meeting also opened up the “kitchen” of the Barcelona Declaration, inviting everyone to see how the working groups are developing frameworks, negotiating with publishers, supporting under-resourced communities, and exploring open alternatives to proprietary research information systems. The breakout sessions covered a wide range of topics, including metadata standards, funding information, machine-learning pipelines, and sustainability strategies.

Why It’s Relevant to Me (and You)

As someone who writes about open access and scholarly communication for Maastricht University, the Bologna Meeting is a sign of progress. The transition to open research information is not simple, but it’s essential for academic freedom, diversity, and inclusion. 

When institutions like Leiden University and CWTS prioritise openness—as seen in initiatives like the Leiden Ranking Open Edition—it sets an example for others to follow.


For researchers, librarians, and institutional leaders, the Bologna Meeting offers a roadmap for change. It shows that openness is not just a technical issue but a strategic one. By working together, we can develop systems that are more transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the academic community.

Key Takeaways

  • Open research information is a global movement. The Bologna Meeting brought together voices from around the world, showing that the push for openness is both urgent and universal.
  • Implementation is complex but possible. Institutions are finding ways to align their processes, negotiate with publishers, and support under-resourced communities.
  • Collaboration is key. The Barcelona Declaration is built on the idea that no single organisation can drive change alone. It takes a network of committed partners working together.
  • Openness benefits everyone. More transparent research information leads to better decision-making, fairer evaluation, and a more inclusive research ecosystem.

Thought-Provoking Questions (for further discussion)

  • How can my institution take the next step toward open research information?
  • What are the most significant barriers to openness in my local context?
  • How can we ensure that the benefits of open research information reach everyone, including under-resourced regions and disciplines?

Most of this post originates from the full report of the Bologna Meeting on Open Research Information, which is now available on Zenodo. It provides a detailed overview of the progress, priorities, and next steps for the working groups associated with the Barcelona Declaration. If you care about open access, scholarly communication, or the future of research information, this report is worth a read.


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