Theme: “Perspectives on open science: What libraries need to know about equitable open science, multi-lingualism, and open infrastructure“
Introduction
The IFLA Open Science and Scholarship Advisory Committee invites proposals for papers to be presented at a session during the IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in Astana, Kazakhstan, 18-22 August 2025.
The session aligns with the WLIC2025 theme of Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future in following two ways.
Advancing Open Science: The session will highlight key issues in achieving open science, and the role of libraries in advocating for change, and providing essential services. It will explore opportunities for local and international collaboration to foster equity, enhance infrastructure and promote bibliodiversity.
Shaping the Future Through Policy and Engagement: Libraries build the future of libraries through actively contributing to policy change in their countries and institutions, engaging researchers, and expanding the availability of access to knowledge and research through services and community outreach at academic, research, and public libraries around the world.
The session aims to raise awareness of recent developments in open science and address issues in implementing open science across different library environments, geographic regions, and economic contexts. Equity and inclusion so that everyone can participate in science and research, and can benefit from these activities, is essential. Libraries are one of the most important partners in making this a reality through the services and infrastructure provided at academic, research, and public libraries around the world. Libraries play a vital role in ensuring research reaches communities where it is most needed, including at the local level through public libraries, and citizen science projects.
The session will feature a regional perspective, including a presentation on open science developments in Central Asia. Proposed papers should reflect the conference theme, “Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future,” and align with the session’s objectives.
Suggested topics
- Research assessment – how assessment is changing from a focus on metrics to understanding societal impact, and what this means for libraries and our infrastructures
- Multi-lingualism and bibliodiversity – how to support these objectives, and what library services are needed
- Inclusion and equity – addressing issues related to global visibility of research, and recognition of indigenous researchers and knowledges in scholarly communications and open access
- Discovery of resources – decentralized and federated approaches with a focus on metadata and platform roles
- Open science monitoring – initiatives and approaches for monitoring open science progress
- Regional perspectives – perspectives on open science, open access and the role of libraries in Central Asia
- Role of Libraries – how research, academic, and public libraries facilitate access to knowledge and develop the skills
Important dates & deadlines:
- 30 April 2025: Deadline for submission of proposals/abstracts
- 18 May 2025: Notification to authors about the status of a submission
- 27 June 2025: Submission of the full text of the paper
- 28 July 2025: Submission of accompanying PowerPoint slides for presentation
Submission guidelines
Proposals should include:
- Title of proposed presentation
- Abstract of proposed paper (no more than 300 words)
- Name of presenter plus position and/or title
- Employer / affiliated institution
- Contact information including email address, telephone number
- Short biographical statement of presenter
Send proposals via email to: Lilly Hoi Sze Ho (lillyho@gmail.com) and Madiareni Sulaiman (madiareni.sulaiman@gmail.com)
Use subject line: CFP – Perspectives on open science
Please note:
- At least one of the paper’s authors must be present to summarize the paper during the program in Astana. Abstracts are to be submitted only with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.
- The language of the session is expected to be English, but another IFLA official language is welcome.
- All papers presented at the WLIC 2025 will be available online under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
- All papers must be unpublished and not previously presented.
- Authors must disclose whether they submit this proposal to another WLIC 2025 session.
- Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
- All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodations, etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. IFLA does not provide any financial support.
Congress Participation Grants
A list of opportunities for support is available on the Grants & Awards webpage.