Driving inclusive innovation in Zambia and Botswana
Digital transformations play pivotal roles in modern education and research. Particularly in regions where infrastructure and resources are limited, developing robust digital infrastructures can democratise access to knowledge. Combining reliable and secure access to digital infrastructures with Open Science principles fosters inclusive and equitable academic environments, driving innovation and enhancing societal well-being.
Objectives of the Oscar 2.0 consortium
- Develop digital infrastructure: Establish a reliable and secure digital infrastructure that supports the engagement of higher education institutes in Open Science practices. This includes the creation of Open Science platforms, Science Shops, and OS hubs.
- Enhance human capital: Train researchers, including early-stage researchers, in Open Science methodologies, competencies, and knowledge. This objective aims to build a skilled workforce capable of advancing Open Science principles.
- Implement institutional policies: Develop and implement efficient institutional policies and standards for Open Science. These policies will ensure the sustainability and integration of Open Science practices within higher education institutes.
- Foster regional economic integration: Enhance the engagement of higher education institutes in Open Science in order to boost the economic competitiveness of higher education and research outcomes in Zambia and Botswana.
- Promote inclusivity and equity: Ensure that Open Science practices are inclusive and equitable, providing access to knowledge for all societal actors, including marginalized communities.
Combining research methodologies for tailored solutions
Oscar 2.0 aims to provide a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with digital transformation and Open Science through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. By integrating diverse research methods and engaging a wide range of stakeholders, the complexities of implementing Open Science in different contexts can be understood. Tailored solutions that address specific local needs can then be developed, ultimately to the benefit of all societal actors.
Initially, a needs assessments identifies the specific challenges and opportunities faced by higher education institutes in Zambia and Botswana to ensure that the project's interventions are contextually relevant and effective. Next, capacity building, focused on Open Science methodologies, is implemented through training programs and workshops. Then, in collaboration with higher education institutes and governmental bodies, policies are then developed that support Open Science. This includes the creation of guidelines, standards, and best practices. Finally, monitoring and evaluation frameworks are established to assess the outcomes of the project, ensuring that objectives are met and providing insights for continuous improvement.
Athena's Role
The role of Athena is to inspire, and to provide (knowledge) support to the project partners in their aim to establish and/or strengthen public engagement activities in research and education within their respective universities. The project partners will establish science shop within their own universities and organize engagement workshops with and within the local communities.
Athena provides training and inspiration sessions and offers support to university staff in the respective countries. This includes visits to the various institutes and a capacity building workshop of 5 days in the Netherlands. Athena also co-develops a qualitative survey aimed to get greater insights into the public engagement projects going on within partner institutes and the citizen science and public engagement activities in the various countries, as well as a quantitative survey on citizen science and public engagement activities. Finally, based on all lessons learnt Athena develops recommendations on Citizen Science for each country.
