The UG DCC in the National Open Science Festival 2024

Text authors: Burcu Beygu & Saikat Chatterjee

On October 22, 2024, Maastricht became the epicentre of Open Science discussions as it hosted the annual National Open Science Festival, and the UG Digital Competence Centre made its contribution.

The event brought together a diverse community including researchers, educators, and support staff across the Netherlands to explore the latest initiatives and best practices in open and transparent research. The UG Digital Competence Centre (UG DCC) actively participated in the festival. Dr. Burcu Beygu and Dr. Saikat Chatterjee contributed to this dynamic gathering with the hands-on workshop “Measuring the Impact of Research Software.”

Highlights from the Workshop

The workshop allowed participants to explore the complexities of assessing the impact of research software. Divided into three engaging sections, it included:

• A deep dive into the importance of measuring research software’s impact, exploring the reliability, advantages, and challenges of various metrics.

• Group activities, where participants tackled case studies such as edgeR, OpenSesame, and AstroWise, using practical metrics like citation counts, GitHub stars, and adoption rates to evaluate impact.

• Mutual thought exchange and discussion sessions, where groups shared insights and proposed innovative solutions to improve impact measurement and reporting.   

The session emphasized the multifaceted nature of software impact, touching on metrics like community engagement, reuse in other research, and user adoption. A lively discussion followed, shedding light on real-world challenges and strategies to address them.

Why measure the impact of Research Software?

Measuring the impact of research software is critical for:

• Demonstrating its value as a scientific output.

• Justifying investments in time, funding, and resources.

• Enhancing researchers’ career prospects and institutional visibility.

• Increasing the potential for additional funding opportunities.

Reflections on the Open Science Festival

Beyond the workshop, the festival offered an enriching experience with inspiring keynote sessions, interactive panels, and networking opportunities. The growing focus on open research practices reinforced the need for collaborations that span disciplines, institutions, and geographic boundaries.

The DCC team is proud to have represented the UG in this vibrant community and looks forward to building on the momentum from the event. We encourage our colleagues to explore Open Science resources and join us in advancing open, transparent, and impactful research practices.

Stay tuned for more updates and resources, and feel free to reach out to us for collaboration opportunities!