A new university-wide survey is now open to all involved in conducting, teaching, advising on, or supporting research related activities at Leiden University, aiming to better understand the current state of Open Science awareness and practice. Initiated by Archaeology's then PhD candidate, now guest researcher Dr Bjørn Bartholdy, the project began with a simple observation: 'Open Science hasn't really taken root at my Faculty yet, and I want to understand why.'
Academia in Motion
Originally conceived as a faculty-level initiative, the survey quickly gained traction as part of the broader Open Science Community Leiden and Academia in Motion programme, a joint effort focused on Open Science and recognition and rewards. 'We realised this could be a valuable tool for the entire university,' Bjørn explains. 'It's a way to see what researchers actually need from the University to adhere to increasing Open Science.'
While open access publishing is relatively easy to track, other aspects of Open Science - such as open methods, open education, and data sharing - are far less visible in institutional systems. 'We needed a way to capture the full picture,' says Bjørn. 'That's why we designed the survey to include everyone involved in Open Science including researchers, supporters, and policy makers.'
Key findings
The first version of the survey was launched in 2023, developed in collaboration with Anna van 't Veer, assistant professor at Methodology and Statistics, and Signe Glæsel, research assistant at Methodology and Statistics, to ensure robust data collection. Since then, the team has been analysing responses. 'A large proportion of respondents were early-career researchers-PhDs and assistant professors,' Bjørn notes. 'They're familiar with open access and preprints, but less so with things like preregistration or open education.'
This gap between awareness and implementation is one of the key findings. 'People know what Open Science is,' Bjørn says, 'but when it comes to actually applying it, like publishing open peer reviews or sharing teaching materials, the numbers drop off.'
Time
One major barrier that emerged from the 2023 survey was time. 'Many researchers simply don't have the time to take those extra steps,' Bjørn explains. 'And that's tied to the lack of incentives. This is where Academia in Motion plays a crucial role: by making sure researchers are recognised and rewarded for everything they do to make their work more open.
To track progress, the survey is being relaunched with the same core questions, allowing researchers to reflect on changes between 2023 and 2025. 'We expect familiarity to have grown. But what we really want to see is whether implementation has followed.'
Fill out the survey
The survey is now live and takes about five minutes to complete. 'Even if you're not actively engaged in Open Science, your input is valuable. It's multiple choice, quick, and helps us understand what support is needed.'
With national policy shifts and funding bodies increasingly requiring Open Science practices, the university is keen to respond to researcher needs. 'This isn't a top-down initiative,' Bjørn stresses. 'It's bottom-up; driven by researchers who want to make science more transparent and collaborative.'
Open Science Week
The survey will be promoted during Open Science Week, alongside events and workshops. 'It'll stay open after the week as well. We want to reach as many people as possible.'
Take baby steps
For those feeling overwhelmed by the variety of Open Science practices, Bjørn offers a reassuring message: 'Take baby steps. Start with what's manageable: maybe open your methods or share your data. Open Science Community Leiden is here to help, and that's a great place to begin.' The Open Science Week is the perfect moment to take your next step!
