PhD Project : Mapping the Open Science Movement: Characteristics and Impact on the Research System (April 2014)

Abstract
The Open Science (OS) movement explores and prototypes new practices and methods of production, diffusion, and use of knowledge. It consists of a variety of initiatives (Open Access, Open Data, Open Labs) aiming at a more open, transparent and collaborative scientific process both inside and outside academic research (Citizen Scientists). This movement seems to emerge in symbiosis with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and peer-to-peer and contributive modes of organization (Open Culture). Given the rising criticism about the tendency to merchandise knowledge in research and innovation systems, the open science movement is gaining more and more momentum.
Our aim is to describe the Open Science movement and examine its evolution and impact on the research system, through different viewpoints: economical, legal, and institutional. The study of the OS movement, its characteristics, communication processes and the mapping of the institutional and individual actors linked to this movement can help to highlight controversies and its evolution with the current research system.
To answer this, we will use a set of observations, on the one hand interviews with researchers and actors from OS movement, and on the other hand data collected from the web (scientific publications, blogs, forums and social networks).
We will focus on case studies related to the new research spaces (Open Labs) and OS communities that aim to foster interactions between academia and the other actors such as entrepreneurs, citizens, namely in the field of life Science and health.
We expect this research will give practical elements and tools to help researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to understand the evolution of the Science practices and paradigm with Open Science.