Open Science: A Critical Defense Against Anti-Science Trends

The US Scientific Landscape Faces a Crisis

Recent months have seen a troubling trend in the United States: researchers relying on publicly available datasets and tools have encountered the frustrating message Oops! This page cannot be found. This inaccessibility coincides with proposed budget cuts at the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Simultaneously, initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion are being dismantled, while vital health-related data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is being altered or removed. The collection of essential healthcare data is also being deprioritized.

These developments pose a serious threat to the U.S. research enterprise. Policies that undermine scientific infrastructure and talent could irreversibly damage the nation’s leadership in global science, innovation, and public trust in scientific research. Such actions may also drive researchers abroad, further weakening the U.S. position in the global scientific community.

Global Efforts to Promote Open Science

In response to these challenges, the global scientific community is increasingly embracing open science as a solution. European initiatives like Plan S have transformed research by requiring open access to publicly funded studies, promoting equity and visibility. Open Research Europe is expanding, offering a continent-wide platform for freely accessible research. Japan’s ¥10 billion initiative similarly aims to make publicly funded research freely available. India’s One Nation One Subscription agreement provides free access to around 13,000 journals for 18 million researchers and students. China’s DeepSeek, a large language model, allows open sharing and reuse of its algorithms, democratizing scientific innovation.

In contrast, the United States faces uncertainty in its efforts to democratize scientific research, particularly following the 2022 Nelson Memo.

The Role of Open Science in Protecting Scientific Integrity

Open science promotes transparency, integrity, rigor, accessibility, equity, and accountability. It ensures that all knowledge, including research findings, datasets, codes, and metadata, is freely accessible. This inclusive and transparent approach is the strongest defense against anti-science ideologies and a way to rebuild public trust in scientific research.

Open science extends beyond just access to published research and data. It involves fostering open knowledge institutions, such as universities and research organizations, that engage society in the process of knowledge creation and dissemination. Moreover, open science can drive innovation and collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, government, and media—especially in regions with anti-science political regimes.

Steps to Strengthen Open Science Practices

Scientists and members of the open science community must work together to safeguard scientific integrity and promote accessible, transparent research. Now more than ever, researchers should prioritize publishing their work on preprint servers, which do not restrict knowledge behind paywalls. When sharing research findings, all data, detailed protocols, and codes should be shared in accordance with the FAIR principles and as early as possible.

Researchers should also review their peers’ work openly by commenting on preprints and published articles, incorporating feedback, and engaging in constructive discourse. Institutions and journals can support publishing and reviewing preprints, ensuring that knowledge remains transparent and freely available. This could be incorporated into departmental or lab journal clubs. Institutions could recognize preprints and publicly-reviewed preprints in hiring, funding, and tenure decisions, rewarding transparency and behaviors that establish trust in research.

Researchers and journals must hold both science and themselves accountable by promptly issuing corrections in published research.

Conclusion: Upholding Scientific Independence

While science is a political endeavor, it is our responsibility to ensure that knowledge remains independent of political agendas. Only we, the scientists, have the power to uphold this principle.