Switzerland aims to make publicly funded research results freely accessible to everyone. What does this strategy mean for academia and the economy? Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research, and Innovation, shares her insights.
"Providing companies with free access to research findings can significantly boost interest in strategic partnerships"
Switzerland’s national Open Access and Open Research Data strategy, launched in 2017 and 2021, aims to provide free access to research findings (Open Access) and research data (Open Research Data). This initiative reflects a commitment to making all publicly funded research results freely available.
The share of open-access scientific articles has grown substantially in recent years, rising from less than 50% in 2017 to nearly 75% in 2022. In addition to driving research and innovation more effectively, the strategy could deliver significant economic benefits. Martina Hirayama, who has led the State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI) since 2019, explores what this approach means for universities and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
What is Switzerland’s National Open Access Strategy?
Martina Hirayama: When the Open Access strategy was launched in 2017, more than half of the scientific articles published in Switzerland were restricted by access barriers. By 2022, this figure had fallen to 27%, and we anticipate it will drop even further by 2024.
In 2015, SERI commissioned swissuniversities, the umbrella organisation of the Swiss universities, to develop an Open Access strategy. In 2020, the same group was tasked with proposing a strategy for Open Research Data. The goal is to ensure free access to all research results and data generated with public funding.
From 2021 to 2024, universities and higher education institutions have made around 135,000 publications available through their digital libraries, along with an additional 50,000 on scientific publishers’ platforms, adhering to the "pay-to-publish" model, where publication fees are covered.
Internationally, these strategies aim to position Switzerland alongside key partners such as the European Union, the United States, and Japan in advancing article and data accessibility. Global cooperation is also crucial to ensure the interoperability of scientific data, which is a fundamental pillar of Open Research Data.
Why are a quarter of publications still paywalled or restricted?
Hirayama: Our institutional partners (universities and higher education institutions) provide the technical and financial support needed to enable researchers to publish openly. However, the shift to Open Access requires a deep cultural and infrastructural transformation within universities and research institutes. Many scientists still choose to publish in specific paywalled journals to build their reputation within their academic communities, including internationally. Professionally, prestigious journals are often seen as more effective career stepping stones than free institutional platforms.
Does this approach pose risks to the quality of research?
Hirayama: Many open-access articles are still published by private scientific publishers, who have traditionally overseen the peer-review process with international experts. That said, I see no risk to the quality of publications when this responsibility is effectively transferred to universities or higher education institutions. If research lacks precision, it will be worthless, so it is in the entire scientific community’s interest to uphold high standards of quality.
How can a smooth transition to Open Science be ensured in sensitive fields like health?
Hirayama: One of the biggest challenges is safeguarding data confidentiality. In clinical studies, for instance, it’s crucial to ensure that all data is fully anonymized and that no participant’s identity can be uncovered or inferred. This requires meticulous attention.
The BioMed IT Network plays a key role by providing a secure infrastructure for transmitting, storing, and analyzing data in compliance with Swiss data protection laws and universities’ internal regulations. This tool is invaluable, offering free access to highly valuable data while guaranteeing full respect for privacy.
Moreover, universities and research institutes are now hiring data stewards to support the transition. These coordinators guide researchers on the best practices for publishing their research data effectively and securely.
What are the economic benefits of these developments for SMEs?
Hirayama: Open access to scientific research unlocks potential new opportunities for the economy, particularly as the use of artificial intelligence continues to expand. AI tools rely on vast amounts of data to function, making easy access to this information increasingly essential.
Instead of subscribing to costly scientific journals, SMEs can now access research publications directly through university and research institute platforms. This accessibility can play a significant role in advancing their research and development efforts.
Moreover, Open Access can also encourage collaboration between the private and public sectors. Free access to research findings can spark greater interest in strategic partnerships between researchers and businesses. The most promising collaborations could even receive support from organizations like Innosuisse.
Biography
Martina Hirayama earned her doctorate in chemistry from ETH Zurich in 1997. From 2007 to 2010, she led the Institute of Materials and Process Engineering at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) before heading the ZHAW School of Engineering from 2011 to 2018. She also served as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the promotional agency Innosuisse from 2011 to 2018 and as Chair of the Board of the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) from 2012 to 2018. In 2019, the Thurgau-born German-Swiss was appointed State Secretary for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI).
In discusion
Link
Last modification 18.12.2024
