Foreword

Esteemed colleagues!

On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, we extend a warm welcome to all participants of the IInd International Conference "Open Science and Innovation in Ukraine 2023." This conference, dedicated to Open Access Week and International Science Day, aims to bring together leading experts in open science and innovation, fostering collaboration for the development of project proposals related to the implementation of open science and innovation principles in Ukraine.

For the second year, the Ministry has organized this conference in support of Ukraine's commitment to open science. We express our gratitude to TIB - Leibniz Information Center for Science and Technology for joining us as organizers this year.

A significant milestone in Ukraine's integration into the global and European scientific landscape, promoting greater openness and facilitating information exchange was the adoption of the "National Plan for Open Science" by the Ukrainian Government in October 2022. The implementation of the National Plan will create conditions for Ukrainian research institutions to fulfill the agreement within the framework of the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Framework Program and the EURATOM Research and Training Program (2021-2025). Article 6 of the agreement underscores the need to support open science practices in line with the Horizon Europe and EURATOM program rules.

As Ukraine progresses on the path of integration into the European and global scientific arena, it adapts the best practices of transparent science and innovation policies based on research efficiency indicators. The management of scientific activity data is becoming increasingly crucial, with comprehensive and high-quality analytical data serving as a primary source for assessing the outcomes of scientific research and making informed managerial decisions.

National policies and requirements from national grant foundations regarding open access, and research data management, combined with the wave of powerful global initiatives (Initiative for Open Citation, Initiative for Open Abstracts, Initiative of Open Infrastructures, FAIR principles), pose additional incentives and challenges for the Ukrainian scientific community.

Transparent science and innovation policy, based on research efficiency indicators, is particularly important for research communities in developing countries. These communities rely on state financial resources and must demonstrate significant achievements to secure grant support. Therefore, transparent allocation of funds, determination of research priorities, and reflection of scientific excellence are crucial for building and developing research activities.

Moreover, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent challenges, such as preserving scientific potential and supporting researchers working in evacuation, the Ministry has faced new challenges. These challenges, including the search for resources to maintain the functioning of the scientific system, cannot be overcome without the implementation of open science principles.

The conditions of a pandemic and war demand rapid access to current information for making crucial decisions in medicine, safety, humanitarian actions, and more. Open science contributes to the accessibility of scientific literature and data for all, which is essential for responding promptly to emergencies. Furthermore, the openness of the scientific process promotes ethical conduct and enhances trust in researchers and their studies. The pandemic and war conditions are often accompanied by the spread of misinformation, and open science can serve as a source of reliable information and evidence-based data.

In essence, the implementation of open science principles contributes to the improvement of research quality, increases the accessibility of scientific information, and promotes international cooperation and development, all of which are crucial for overcoming significant global challenges.

We extend our gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and organizers for their invaluable contributions to the IInd International Conference "Open Science and Innovation in Ukraine 2023." May this conference serve as a platform for fruitful discussions, collaborative initiatives, and the advancement of open science and innovation in Ukraine and beyond.

Best regards,