A global movement towards open science is transforming how research is conducted, shared, and evaluated. Countries such as Indonesia, Brazil, and the Philippines are developing national policies that mandate open access to publicly funded research, aligning with UNESCO’s 2021 Open Science Recommendation. This transition is promoting transparency, encouraging international collaboration, and aiming to democratise access to knowledge. At the same time, it introduces new expectations for researchers who must adapt to changing publishing and data-sharing standards.
In 2023, Indonesia implemented a national commitment to open access, requiring all publicly funded research to be freely available. This aligns directly with UNESCO’s Open Science Recommendation, which promotes open access to publications, data, and software, while also encouraging the development of shared infrastructure and wider public involvement in science. UNESCO has reported that the number of countries adopting open science policies has nearly doubled since 2021.
Brazil has long supported open access through SciELO, a platform that hosts over 1,200 open-access journals. The country is now expanding its framework to include open data and collaborative tools. In parallel, the Philippines is preparing open science legislation and building national repositories to enhance accessibility. In Europe, the EU’s Plan S requires all funded research to be published in open-access formats, further signalling a broader global trend.
These policies reflect a unified goal to make scientific knowledge openly available, accelerate the pace of innovation, and strengthen public confidence in science. Governments around the world are moving from voluntary recommendations to mandatory requirements, pointing to a lasting transformation in research culture.
Researchers stand to benefit from this shift. A 2020 study found that open-access articles receive an average of 18% more citations than those behind paywalls. Open data also supports wider collaboration and reuse, particularly in fields such as climate science and public health. By sharing research through global repositories, scientists can increase both the reach and influence of their work.
However, failure to meet open-access expectations can limit a study’s discoverability and reduce opportunities for collaboration. In regions where compliance is now mandatory, researchers may also face risks to their funding prospects. Adapting to this new environment means learning to meet evolving requirements, including the timely deposit of preprints and datasets in open repositories.
Tools such as DeSci Publish are helping researchers navigate these demands. DeSci Publish provides a centralised space for uploading preprints, code, and datasets, with each item assigned a DOI to ensure citability and visibility. The platform also includes novelty scores to help track originality and is planning features that reward peer reviewers, encouraging broader engagement with the open science ecosystem. These innovations align closely with international open science goals and help ensure that researchers receive credit for their contributions.
The Open Science Framework offers similar support, enabling users to share data and collaborate on research more effectively. These platforms not only help researchers comply with institutional requirements but also amplify the impact of their work within the global scientific community.
As open science becomes an international standard, researchers are encouraged to align their practices with new expectations. This includes publishing through open-access outlets, making datasets available, and engaging with community-driven platforms. Those who adapt will be better positioned to expand their networks, increase citations, and contribute to a more transparent and collaborative scientific environment.
With countries like Indonesia, Brazil, and the Philippines joining the European Union and others in implementing open-access policies, the global research landscape is undergoing significant and lasting change. Embracing open science is no longer optional. It is now a critical step towards ensuring the relevance and visibility of scientific work in the years to come.
