ORI Community Meet-up | 9 February at Saxion Deventer

Opening: From Closed Systems to an ORI Commons

The day opened with a talk by Eileen Waegemaekers where she presented the ‘commons approach’:

“Our objective is to transform closed research information infrastructure into an ORI commons. The way we get there is by using a common(s) language (GORC), designing from the researcher's end-to-end workflow, federating rather than centralising and taking collective responsibility for the commons.”

This statement captures both the ambition and the philosophy of ORI. Moving from siloed, closed systems to a shared commons is not just a technical transition — it is a cultural and social shift and it starts by seeing research information as a commons. The emphasis on federation rather than centralisation, and on collective responsibility, set the tone for the discussions that followed.

Generative AI and Open Research Information

The second part of the programme featured a talk by Nick Veenstra (RUG), who explored the role of generative AI in open research information processing. He outlined the skills, infrastructure, and coordinated activities needed to scale AI applications responsibly and effectively within open ecosystems.

The developments presented were promising. AI can help us enrich metadata, connect systems, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance discoverability — but only if we invest in shared standards, transparent processes, and the right expertise across institutions. The message was clear: the potential is enormous, and the time to build the right capacity is now. 

Breakouts: Four Conversations, One Direction

Participants then moved into four breakout sessions, each addressing a core dimension of the ORI transition:

1. Creating international synergies – How do we connect national initiatives and ensure alignment across borders? How do we engage with international initiatives such as OpenAIRE en OpenAlex?
2. Improving research information in internal and external systems – Roles and responsibilities at local, national and international level
3. Moving away from closed systems – What positive actions are currently happening and how can we boost these through funding, building, scaling, connecting, promoting?   
4. Ensuring the sustainability of open infrastructure – How do we create funding and governance models that ensure long-term resilience?

Each group brought back valuable insights, practical ideas, and concrete challenges which will be presented in a separate blog post. 

Closing and the Visual Report

The afternoon concluded with a wrap-up by Alastair Dunning, who reflected on the key themes of the day and connected the threads between sessions. A special highlight was the presentation of the live visual report created by Denkschets. Seeing the discussions translated into a rich visual narrative helped crystallise the collective ambition which are also reflected in the three next steps: 

 1. Strengthen collaboration

We must ensure that all institutions are involved in the ORI projects about to kick off: BROCCOLI, DURF, and MORIS amongst other. Broad participation is essential if these initiatives are to serve the whole ecosystem rather than isolated parts of it.

 2. Organise more Community meet-ups

You can only manage a commons when there is a strong community. Moments like this where face-to-face, open, constructive discussions can happen are foundational. Expect more opportunities to come together, share progress, and tackle challenges collectively.

3. Take stakeholders on the journey

There was lively debate about whether change should be bottom-up or top-down. Our conclusion? Both. Grassroots energy and getting the management on board must reinforce each other. If we want to transform research information infrastructure at scale, we need movement across all levels of the system.

Moving Forward Together

The ORI commons will not be built overnight. But on 9 February in Deventer, it was clear that the community is eager and ready to embrace the change. 

Thanks again to Saxion for hosting us, to all speakers and participants for their openness, and to Denkschets for helping us see the bigger picture, literally.

Onwards to the next step in building the ORI commons together.