The Resilience of Open Science in Times of Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for the Research Community

In a world increasingly marked by political volatility and targeted attacks on science, the concept of resilience in open science has never been more relevant. A recent article by Jeroen Bosman and Jeroen Sondervan presents a sobering analysis of the challenges facing the scientific community, particularly in light of recent developments in the United States under the new Trump administration.

As someone deeply invested in scholarly communication and open science, I find this piece alarming and instructive. The authors outline five significant areas of concern that demand immediate attention: funding cuts, threats to research infrastructure, limitations on academic freedom, safety risks for academic community members, and the spread of disinformation and science scepticism.

A Framework for Resilience

This article's practical framework for understanding and responding to these threats is particularly valuable. The authors identify five phases of resilience:

1. Prevention - Establishing safeguards before threats materialise
2. Protection - Implementing measures to ward off actual threats
3. Resistance - Taking action against direct attacks
4. Withstanding - Maintaining core functions despite incursions
5. Repair - Finding creative solutions to recover from damage

This framework offers a structured approach to considering how we can safeguard open science during challenging times. It's not just theoretical—the authors provide numerous real-world examples of each phase in action.

The Paradox of Open Science Vulnerability

One of the article's most thought-provoking aspects is its exploration of whether open science is more vulnerable or more resilient to political attacks.

On one hand, open science faces unique vulnerabilities:

• Greater dependence on sharing platforms (often U.S.-based)
• Reliance on international collaboration
• Higher visibility due to public engagement
• Focus on politically contentious areas like climate science

Yet paradoxically, these same characteristics may foster resilience:

• Community members with a "make-do" mentality
• Lower-cost practices based on open-source software
• Diamond open-access publications are immune to trade tariffs
• Resources that are easier to fork, mirror, and repair

Practical Steps Forward

What strikes me most about this article is its call for concrete action. The authors emphasise that resilience requires:

• Coordinated, vocal responses rather than quiet compliance
• Grassroots creativity and rapid community action
• Institutional solidarity and support for those most affected
• Investment in resilient infrastructure through mirrors, federated technology, and open-source solutions
• Reduced dependence on single points of failure and U.S. big tech

These recommendations resonate strongly with me as practical and necessary steps for the open science community.

Why This Matters

The threats described in this article aren't hypothetical- they're unfolding now. From the halving of research budgets and cancellation of existing grants to the intimidation of researchers and removal of scientific resources, these attacks represent an unprecedented assault on scientific integrity and open knowledge.

This is a wake-up call for those of us committed to open science. We must recognise that openness itself requires protection and active maintenance. The values underpinning open science —transparency, inclusion, and collaboration — are precisely those under threat in our current political climate.

As the authors conclude:

Safeguarding public and academic values of open, transparent, and above all uncensored scientific information for society and communities should not be taken for granted.

This article serves as both a warning and a roadmap. The resilience of open science will depend not on hope or chance, but on deliberate, coordinated action by the global research community. It's time for everyone involved in scholarly communication to consider our role in building that resilience.

What steps are you taking to strengthen the resilience of your research practices and communities? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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Read the complete article here: Bosman, J., & Sondervan, J. (2025, May 13). The resilience of open science in times of crisis. Upstream. https://doi.org/10.54900/pqrcx-8d019 (CC BY 4.0).