Yesterday, the Guillermo and Michèle de la Dehesa Library, in collaboration with LSE Library and as part of the CIVICA Alliance, organised a session on Open Science (OS) and the Role of Repositories.

The session focused on the practical implications of OS across the research lifecycle. Open Science is no longer a future aspiration, but a defining framework for how research is funded, evaluated and disseminated.

The first round table explored the key role of institutional repositories and their aggregators, such as RECOLECTA, which enables indexation at both national and international levels, ensuring wide visibility and impact for research outputs. The LSE and IE repositories were presented as examples of strategic research infrastructures. Beyond serving as preservation and dissemination platforms, repositories enhance the visibility and accessibility of institutional research, strengthening discoverability and compliance with Open Science policies.

Speakers also addressed the CIVICA Research Gateway as an example of cross-institutional collaboration, facilitating access to research outputs across the alliance and reinforcing a shared commitment to openness and impact.

The second round table reflected on how Open Science has become a cornerstone of academic excellence in an evolving research landscape shaped by European and national mandates, with particular attention to its growing relevance for early career researchers.

Two clear conclusions emerged from the discussions: Open Science is no longer a future aspiration, it is a defining framework for how research is funded, evaluated and disseminated. Institutional repositories are central to making Open Science operational, acting as active enablers of research visibility, compliance and collaboration.

Find here all the presentations:

Bonora, L. (2026) From Institutional Repositories to Global Access: RECOLECTA’s Strategic Role in Open Science. [Conference Object] Open Science in practice and the role of repositories, Madrid

Higman, R. (2026a) Enabling Open Science across the CIVICA Alliance. [Conference Object] Open Science in practice and the role of repositories, Madrid

Higman, R. (2026b) Renewing LSE Research Online: Enhancing Visibility and Impact. [Conference Object] Open Science in practice and the role of repositories, Madrid

Kraig, D. (2026) Open Science In Practice​ From a researcher’s perspective. [Conference Object] Open Science in practice and the role of repositories, Madrid

Méndez, E. (2026) Open Science: From Theory to Practice [10 years later ]. Policies and Mandates at the EU level. [Conference Object] Open Science in practice and the role of repositories, Madrid

Riba, P. (2026, 02-10) IE Repository: a Key Infrastructure for Research Support. [Conference Object] Open Science in practice and the role of repositories, Madrid