What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to understand how university leaders connect and promote open science and education in their institutions.

June 26, 2026Open Access

Connecting the Opens (VI): Senior leadership advancing openness in Higher Education

Key Points

The aim is to understand how university leaders connect and promote open science and education in their institutions.
Conducted interviews with university leaders across Europe to gather insights on their strategies and actions.
Analyzed the role of senior leaders in shaping governance, budgets, and capacity building initiatives.
Examined cultural change initiatives led by leaders to promote open practices among staff.
Leaders effectively translate advocacy into strategic actions that embed openness within institutional frameworks.
Leadership shapes governance structures that secure necessary budgets for initiatives supporting openness.
Cultural change is driven by rewarding open practices and supporting grassroots communities in the context of global open ecosystems.

Abstract

This item is the sixth and final in a series exploring how university leaders across Europe are connecting open science and open education. Based on interviews conducted by SPARC Europe, the series aims to inspire more leaders to connect the opens and support institutions in addressing complex challenges through an integrated open knowledge framework. This item explores how senior leaders translate advocacy into strategic action to embed openness as a core institutional value. It highlights how leadership shapes governance, secures budgets for capacity building, and coordinates efforts across libraries, IT, and research support. Finally, it examines how leaders drive cultural change by rewarding open practices in career progression, supporting grassroots communities, and positioning their institutions within global open ecosystems.

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