Building an Open Science Culture by training, trust and transformation — The Experimentalist

"So far, it has been a good ride. We’ve recently received a grant that supports our work for two years. We are aiming to use this to offer free training in outreach and marketing specifically tailored for Open Science initiatives. We’ve also made it through the initial labyrinth of starting a business in Germany (or so we believe), including hiring our first part-time core team members to help with various aspects of the business side of DRA.  Then again, in Germany, there is always the chance another bureaucratic escape game is waiting just around the corner, but I’m confident we have the right team together to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

Through Digital Research Academy, the founding team and I, in cooperation with our amazing freelance trainers, have already worked with hundreds of researchers. Along with Open Science practices and strategies, we teach other related digital skills such as data literacy and research software engineering. Most of the DRA trainers are from the research community and  freelance with us on the side while still doing their research. It is rewarding to be able to work with amazing experts from interdisciplinary fields, many of whom I consider as friends, more than collaborators.

This path hasn’t always been perfect or stress-free, but it has always been purpose-driven. Stepping into an unconventional career was not easy and downright terrifying at times, especially after quitting my academic career.

Open Science is all about good scientific practices and until we achieve a world where Open Science becomes the norm, there is a long way to go. We need to tackle all the layers of the pyramid and convince everyone from students to University leadership. I am certain that training is a key building block of the solution and I am grateful to be part of it."