"Elsevier is trying to co-opt the open science space, and we shouldn't let them" - ScienceGuide

""Elsevier has a history of being incredibly anti-open." Open science advocate and palaeontologist Jon Tennant criticises the European Commission's decision to involve Elsevier as their sole commercial contractor in the Open Science Monitor and is considering filing a formal complaint to the EU market authority. "You really have to wonder what the European Commission was thinking when they did this."

Should one of the major publishing houses be the sole involved private party in monitoring open science in Europe? No, according to palaeontologist and Open Science advocate Jon Tennant. In an opinion piece in The Guardian on June 29th Tennant criticized the European Commission for subcontracting of Elsevier in the so called Open Science Monitor. The latter means aims to provide data and insights, and gather relevant indicators for the development of open science in Europe.

In response to Tennant’s publication Elsevier and the Lisbon Council – a think tank leading the consortium behind the Open Science Monitor – have responded. In a response to Tennant Elsevier asks “why would anyone seek to exclude commercial players like Elsevier form their vision of open science?” In a press release addressed at science editor Ian Sample at the The Guardian Paul Hofheinz, president and co-founder of the Lisbon Council, calls the opinion piece “aggressive and misinformed”.

Both responses have led to a heated debate on social media between open science advocates on one side, and Elsevier and the Lisbon Council on the other. In two detailed blog posts Tennant has provided a point-by-point rebuttal of the stated arguments of both Elsevier and Paul Hofheinz whilst simultaneously filing a formal complaint to the European Ombudsman. As of now the complaint has 867 co-signatories, and a response by the ombudsman is due in a little under four weeks...."