Dear all,

I'm investigating strategic issues around open science and citizen science for the Centre for Research Communications. Perhaps many wouldn't see an obvious link with open education apart from the broad openness agenda, but there are a couple of links that I've encountered, so I thought I would see if anyone has any observations for me! This is really just an informative blether email; any and all musings, discussion and info will be greatly appreciated.

Open Science Angle:
In 2009 I carried out some research for Mimas, gathering case studies on the use of real data (open or otherwise) in teaching & learning in higher education (mainly at undergrad level, with some discussion of Masters-level teaching). Known as the Real World: Real Data: Real Stories project, there's a relevant case study from it available here: http://www.esds.ac.uk/international/casestudies/real-data/real-data.asp 

This particular case study did touch on *open* data- data available via ESDS International, and its use in teaching economics, particularly econometrics. Interestingly, one of the main mavens for open science and open knowledge is the economist Dr Rufus Pollock of the Open Knowledge Foundation- he has been doing open economics research for some time, but it was Nick Weaver at Manchester University who first clued me into the importance of opening up and sharing econometrics research data in 2009, for both research purposes and teaching & learning.

Citizen Science Angle:
Citizen science, the other slant to this project, has its own connection to open education: the usefulness of opening up research data so that citizens can be engaged, providing opportunities for more and better research based on large-scale public datasets, and as a sideline, contributing to the enhancement of scientific literacy for the wider population; crucial in modern times, I'm sure you'll agree.


Well, that's it: I don't have a specific question but am hoping to spark something here! Thinking about the kind of observations and advice one might like to put in front of a funding body strategist, government policy-maker or university vice-chancellor would be a start for my particular purposes.

Kind regards and thanks for your indulgence,

Sarah

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Sarah Currier

Research Communications Strategy Open Science Project
http://rcsproject.wordpress.com/category/open-science/

Twitter: @RCSOpenScience

Sarah Currier Consultancy Ltd.
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