Position Statement of the ALCU OS WG: Opportunities and Challenges of Open Science in the Czech Republic (cze)
The document Příležitosti a výzvy otevřené vědy v České republice (“Opportunities and Challenges of Open Science in the Czech Republic”) is a position statement issued by the Open Science Working Group of the Association of Libraries of Czech Universities on the current state and future development of open science in the Czech research environment. It draws on practical experience with institutional Open Science support and places the Czech situation within a broader European and international context.
The document is currently available only in Czech. The English title and translated excerpts used in this article are approximate translations provided for our international readers.
The text presents Open Science as part of modern, responsible, and socially beneficial research practice. It outlines its main areas, including open access to publications, research data management and sharing, research software, infrastructures supporting Open Science, citizen science, and open educational resources. At the same time, it identifies barriers to the development of Open Science in the Czech Republic, particularly insufficient coordination, uneven institutional capacities, lack of systemic support, an unclear legislative and financial framework, and the limited recognition of open practices in research assessment.
The document emphasizes that the implementation of Open Science “is not necessarily based on the formal fulfilment of individual specific steps, but rather on the greatest possible – even if gradual – adaptation of all research-related processes to the requirements of quality, transparency, and openness” (Pracovní skupina Open Science při Asociaci knihoven vysokých škol ČR. (2026). Příležitosti a výzvy otevřené vědy v České republice. Asociace knihoven vysokých škol ČR. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20055415).
The aim of the document is to support expert discussion on the need for a coordinated, long-term, and systemic approach to Open Science in the Czech Republic and to contribute to the development of an environment that strengthens the quality, transparency, credibility, and sustainability of research.
Since May 21, 2026, the document has also been available on the Zenodo platform.
Open Science Working Group of the Association of Libraries of Czech Universities
The Association of Libraries of Czech Universities (ALCU) is an association representing the libraries of most public universities in the Czech Republic. Since 2002, it has supported their development and mutual cooperation.
Since 2022, the Association has hosted the Open Science Working Group, bringing together Open Science professionals not only from university libraries, but also from the Czech Academy of Sciences and the National Library of Technology. The group aims to monitor relevant developments in Open Science and continuously share information across the academic environment.
The group meets regularly once a month, online via MS Teams, on the first Wednesday of each month. These informal meetings begin at 11:00 CET (CEST) and usually last about one hour. In addition, one or two in-person meetings are organized each year. Participation in the Open Science Working Group is open to participants from institutions outside the Association as well. Anyone interested in developments in Open Science is welcome to join. For more information, visit the ALCU – OS WG website.
To join the group, please contact the head of the Open Science Working Group, Martin Ouřada, at martin.ourada@ruk.cuni.cz.
Last updated on May 25, 2026
