MüCOS supports open research at the University of Münster by providing services at all levels, from university management to individual researchers. In doing so, we are guided by four areas of support: Networking and bundling, strategies and advice, information and solutions, and education and training.
Networking and bundling
Open Science lives through the researchers who use open research practices. It is our conviction that a successful Open Science strategy is informed and supported by researchers from all disciplines at the University of Münster. To make this possible, MüCOS promotes networking and bundling across departments and subjects. As part of the annual Open Science Days, interdisciplinary Open Science projects at the university are presented and international experts are invited. Open Science panel discussions are held on individual topics and discussion forums are set up. We also facilitate contact with and organize regular exchanges between the department-specific Open Science coordinators. Through this constant communication and exchange process, the collective conceptual and methodological expertise of the University of Münster can be used to develop optimal OS support services that take into account the commonalities and special features of all subjects. In addition, this promotes intensive research exchange between the disciplines and an interdisciplinary culture of learning from and working with one another.
Strategies and advice
Together with representatives at all levels of the University of Münster, we develop strategies and provide advice on the topic of Open Science. We support the University of Münster in positioning itself on key open science topics such as open access, evaluation of research performance, citizen science, big team science, research data and open source software. For individual departments, we develop concepts for the implementation of Open Science in research, teaching and committees in consultation with the respective Open Science coordinators. We support research groups and initiatives in planning the optimal implementation of Open Science in the context of large studies or third-party funding initiatives.
Information and solutions
How can interested parties find out about Open Science topics? How can the various Open Science practices be implemented in practice? What subject-specific requirements need to be taken into account? MüCOS offers researchers at the University of Münster comprehensive support in the implementation of Open Science by means of both interdisciplinary and subject-specific information modules, solution modules including best practices and overviews of the relevant contact persons for all four areas of Open Science practices (research questions and research plan, materials and data, publication of research results, communication of research results).
Education and training
Open Science is a very diverse and dynamic field. It encompasses a range of different, interrelated Open Science practices and is characterized by a high rate of development of concepts and methods. To ensure a sustainably high level of Open Science knowledge and skills at the University of Münster, we supplement our constantly updated information and solution offerings with customized general and department-specific workshops on all Open Science topics. We provide appropriate certificates for participation in the training opportunities offered. In addition, we invite international Open Science experts to give lectures and take part in panel discussions and enable researchers from the University of Münster to contribute to discussions on current Open Science topics.