Development of an open science policy for South Africa
South Africa is in the process of developing a National Open Science Policy at the time of writing in 2023. The policy has a vision to facilitate equality of opportunity within the national science and Innovation system through the democratization of knowledge as well as to enhance opportunities for environmentally sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development through scientific research.
Adoption of best practice principles, based on an underlying core value system, is deemed critical in the successful implementation of the open science policy for South Africa. The policy is set within a broader government policy context of socio-economic development cognisant of global issues addressed within the Sustainable Development Goals.
The process is informed by both national and international accords and principles, including FAIR, CARE, TRUST, flexibility, operational and financial sustainability and ¡®as open as possible, as closed as necessary¡¯. Implementation of these guiding principles shall be founded on the following core values:
- quality and integrity ¨C the open science system shall enable the entrenchment of high-quality research through facilitating transparency, scrutiny, critique and reproducibility, while maintaining the highest standards of integrity among its actors;
- equity, fairness and collective benefit ¨C all stakeholders shall have equitable opportunity to access, contribute to and benefit from open science; and
- diversity and inclusiveness ¨C the open science system shall promote the principles of collaboration, participation and inclusion across participants in the South African research enterprise.
The process for developing the framework and policy is consultative, led by a Steering Committee representing the key stakeholders in the South African research community (17 members from different government departments, councils, academia, etc.) and working groups convened by the Department of Science and Innovation. The process includes two rounds of open public participation and commentary. A draft framework has been developed and will be tabled at cabinet, followed by parliament approval. The policy mandates the establishment of a monitoring committee.