University of Maribor Open Science Ambassadors

At the University of Maribor, we have placed open science among our strategic priorities, as we believe that only an open and transparent research system can effectively address the challenges of modern society. The key pillars of our approach are open publications, which enable unrestricted access to scientific results; open peer reviews, which enhance the quality and transparency of evaluation processes; open research data, which promote reproducibility, innovation, and trust; and modern research infrastructure, which supports the entire data lifecycle – from creation to long-term preservation.

The implementation of open science at UM is thoughtful and systematic: we have developed institutional guidelines, established support services, we are building digital infrastructure and conducting pilot projects. Most importantly, decisions are made in dialogue with our researchers, as we want the principles of open science to be realized where knowledge is created – in laboratories and lecture halls.

Prof. dr. Dean Korošak (PhD), Vice-Rector for Science and Research of the University of Maribor, Head of the UM Open Science Working Group, Representative of UM in the Assembly of the Slovenian Open Science Community (SSOZ), Member of the Permanent Expert Body for National Infrastructure, UM Representative in the international CoARA alliance and member of the Slovenian CoARA coordination, as a representative of SSOZ, member of the working group for coordinating the governance and funding of the development of the national open science ecosystem at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MVZI)

I understand open science as a new milestone in the evolution of scientific communication. In Slovenia, librarians were among the first to recognize the emergence of a new paradigm in scientific communication. The initial steps involved raising awareness within academic communities about the open access requirements already in place in the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission. Today, under Horizon Europe and within the national research area, research based on open science principles is mandatory under certain conditions.

Libraries are key stakeholders in providing support services for the academic community in its operation under open science principles. These services include: support for open access, management of institutional repositories, acquisition of international scientific literature with open access elements – the so-called transformative agreements that include open access vouchers, administration of voucher usage, management of funds for co-financing scientific publications in open access, support in handling research data, support for open access publishing and open educational resources as well as expertise in copyright issues related to open science.

Through a proactive role, we promote and implement the flow of information and ideas with free access to all recorded knowledge, information, and creations. We encourage intellectual growth and ensure the existence and effective access to recorded knowledge, regardless of ownership and format. This is what we librarians have expressed in the so-called Manifesto on Open Science (Pušnik, M., Legat, D.,  Open Science: What You Need to Know, 2023).

Mag. Dunja Legat (M.Phil.), Director of the University of Maribor Library, Member of the UM Open Science Working Group, Member of the NI4OS-Europe Open Science Promoters Network, Member of the EOSC-A expert group OA5: Skills, Training, Rewards, Recognition & Upscaling

As one of the first-generation of Open Science Ambassadors at Eurodoc, open science is fundamental to me for several reasons. I believe it is the foundation for accelerating scientific progress. With free access to research results, data, and methodologies, we avoid duplication of work, encourage collaboration among researchers worldwide, and enable faster discovery of new insights.

Moreover, open science is key to the democratization of knowledge. It does not limit access to scientific findings to academia alone but allows the broader public – including businesses, policy-makers, and citizens – to get acquainted with the latest research. This can lead to more informed decisions and innovations in society.

Assist. Prof. dr. Nejc Novak, PhD, Researcher, Open Science Ambassador at Eurodoc

Open science brings new momentum to the world of research and discovery. It encourages scientists to share their findings transparently with the global community.

In the past, scientific achievements were often inaccessible, hidden behind paywalls or published in exclusive journals. Open science is changing that by enabling free access to information for everyone. This fosters a sense of empowerment and the realization that knowledge is not reserved for a select few.

Traditionally, researchers have been reluctant to share their results due to concerns about potential competition. Open science promotes collaboration over competition, and this shift in mindset creates a sense of belonging within the scientific community.

The traditional model of scientific research often relies solely on the work of individual groups. Open science, with its emphasis on collaboration and sharing of data and results, accelerates the pace of discovery, leading to collective progress and a shared sense of purpose among scientists.

Open science brings a sense of inclusion, cooperation, and trust to the scientific community. As the world embraces this approach, it not only transforms how knowledge is discovered and shared but also positively influences the mindset of those at the forefront of research and innovation. Open science is not just about free access to information; it’s about opening minds to a new era of scientific discovery.

dr. Zdenka Peršin Fratnik (PhD), Data Steward

Open science is becoming a central approach to modern research, as it emphasizes accessibility, transparency, and collaboration in scientific work. It represents a shift from traditional publishing in closed systems to research that is open, reproducible, and accessible to a broader community – not only to scientists, but also policymakers, the industry, and the general public.

At the heart of open science are open data, open access to scientific publications, open-source software, and open peer review processes. These principles are not only a matter of ethical research but also lead to greater efficiency, faster knowledge transfer, improved reproducibility of results, and enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration. All of this is especially important at a time when research questions, such as those related to sustainable development, the economy, or societal resilience, do not stop at the borders of disciplines or institutions.

dr. Sabina Veršič (PhD), Data Steward

Open science enables everyone to participate in scientific work, which I find important and beneficial for both scientists and the broader public.

In my research in mechanical engineering, I increasingly encounter elements of open science. I believe open science improves the research process, especially in terms of access to information.

Assist. dr. Luka Kevorkijan (PhD), Data Steward

Open science is not an ideal but a necessary corrective to a research system that too often encourages secrecy, competition, and self-promotion. Sharing knowledge, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and accessibility of results are essential for responsibly addressing complex global challenges.

Openness is not just about publishing in open-access journals – it also means adopting a different attitude toward power, resources, and recognition. It means that information is not withheld for personal gain but circulates, is understandable, usable, and publicly verifiable. Transparency in the operations of research institutions and accountability to the public should be a given, not an additional requirement.

Open science presents an opportunity to reinvigorate scientific work– as a public, collaborative, and responsible practice.

Brina Klemenčič, Representative of the Coordination of the Slovenian Open Science Community and Project Associate at EOSC-A

To me, open science means more than just access to publications and data – it is a shift in mindset that opens up a new, modern perspective on research: one that is more collaborative, inclusive, and closely connected to real societal challenges. I believe that the knowledge we create at the university must circulate – among researchers, students, teachers, policymakers, and the wider public. Only in this way can science truly serve people and contribute to solving the complex problems of our time.

At the same time, open science offers numerous benefits to researchers: greater visibility and citation, easier interdisciplinary collaboration, faster progress, and increased public trust in research. As an ambassador, I want to help make open science an everyday practice – not an additional task, but a renewed way of thinking. I believe that with this approach, we can restore trust in science and ensure that research has a real impact – on people, the environment, and the future.

Mojca Gradič, Coordinator of the OZUM Ambassadors network