VIENNA HOSTED THE OPENING OF BEAMING’S OPEN SCIENCE FORUM AT BOKU UNIVERSITY

On the week of 25 March 2025, the BEAMING Open Science Research Manager Forum kicked off at BOKU University in Vienna, bringing together professionals committed to advancing open science practices. The opening day featured a warm welcome and a keynote session that set the tone for the days ahead. Lisa Bohunovsky, a sustainability strategist for higher education, delivered a compelling keynote on integrating sustainability into research management, sharing strategies to align academic missions with environmental responsibility.

Andreas Zitek, a specialist in didactics, eLearning, and open repositories, provided a thought-provoking talk on the role of digital education in promoting open science. He addressed the growing significance of open educational resources (OERs) and demonstrated how collaborative digital tools can support more accessible and transparent research. The plenary session encouraged rich discussions around open access, research integrity, and inter-institutional collaboration.

Participants also enjoyed an informative campus tour led by BOKU’s study advisory service, offering a glimpse into the university’s academic heritage and vibrant atmosphere. The first day concluded with a sense of enthusiasm and anticipation for the sessions and exchanges still to come.