On 21–22 October 2026, the Fifth International Scientific and Practical Conference “Open Science and Innovation in Ukraine 2026” took place, organised by the State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine (SSTL of Ukraine) in cooperation with Ukrainian and international partners. Over two days, representatives of public authorities, research institutions, universities, libraries, international organisations and the innovation sector discussed the development of open science in Ukraine, integration into the European Research Area, digital research infrastructures, research data management, research integrity and support for innovation.

The conference brought together the professional community to explore practical solutions for building an open, transparent and interconnected research ecosystem, strengthening international cooperation and improving access to research results.

The first day of the conference opened with a discussion on the prospects for developing Ukraine’s research infrastructure and implementing open science policies. Participants explored the digital transformation of research, the development of national electronic systems and open research information resources, as well as mechanisms for integrating Ukrainian research data into the international information landscape.

Particular attention was paid to the role of open research information in shaping science policy, international open-access infrastructures, repository development and tools for increasing the visibility of research outputs. Discussions covered international platforms that facilitate the discovery and reuse of scientific publications, as well as services that help researchers find scholarly resources and expand opportunities for collaboration.

An important part of the discussion was the presentation of the development of the Ukrainian Research Information System (URIS) and its evolution as a component of Ukraine’s digital research infrastructure. Participants also explored approaches to building research knowledge ecosystems, opening access to specialised research infrastructures and ensuring data availability for international scientific collaboration, particularly in polar and marine research.

The second thematic session on the first day focused on contemporary challenges in research practices and the reform of research assessment.

Participants discussed how to build trust in open science, ensure the quality of scholarly journals, assess diamond open-access publications and address the limitations of traditional approaches that rely primarily on indexing and quantitative indicators.

Considerable attention was given to the development of Current Research Information Systems (CRIS), the strategic role of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), and the impact of open practices on research visibility, international collaboration and research assessment. Another key topic was the responsible use of artificial intelligence in universities and the development of academic and teaching staff competencies for working with new digital tools.

A separate session on the first day focused on open research data, its quality description, accessibility and reuse. Participants examined the role of Research Organization Registry (ROR) persistent identifiers, the standardisation of metadata for scientific equipment and institutional approaches to research data management.

Experiences shared by Ukrainian research institutions provided an opportunity to discuss organisational approaches to data management, the development of relevant competencies and challenges related to aligning research information across different systems. Structural issues in the scholarly publishing ecosystem and the role of scientific journals in global scholarly communication were also addressed.

These issues are directly linked to the implementation of FAIR principles, according to which research data should be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable. Developing such practices helps create the conditions for research reproducibility, more effective knowledge exchange and the integration of Ukrainian data into European and international research infrastructures.

The second day of the conference opened with a session dedicated to academic integrity and research ethics. Participants discussed the development of publication ethics, reforms in Ukrainian scholarly publishing and emerging challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence in research, academic writing and peer review.

Evidence-based approaches to research assessment, open science infrastructures and tools for ensuring data quality in research information systems were also central to the discussion. International experience highlighted the importance of consistent procedures, technical tools and professional competencies in maintaining the reliability of research information.

Participants also explored international initiatives that promote access to scientific knowledge and the use of research to address challenges of societal importance. Projects and services developed by SSTL of Ukraine to advance open science and reduce barriers to accessing scientific information were presented as well.

The next session addressed the legal aspects of open science. Participants discussed opportunities for developing copyright frameworks in Ukraine, the role of libraries in supporting open access and the legal mechanisms needed for the responsible dissemination of research outputs.

Particular attention was paid to balancing open access to publications and research data with the protection of intellectual property rights and restricted-access information. European legal mechanisms for combating disinformation and their connection with the development of open science were also considered.

The discussions highlighted that openness in research requires not only technical infrastructure but also clear legal frameworks, appropriate licensing and mechanisms to protect the legitimate interests of authors, institutions and society.

Another major focus of the second day was the development of Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem. During a thematic session dedicated to European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), participants discussed the legislative foundations of innovation, public support instruments, startup development and cooperation between research and the wider economy.

The discussions explored mechanisms for translating research results into practical applications, opportunities for business-commissioned research, support for Ukrainian startups, technology transfer and international projects aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of innovation ecosystems.

International cooperation in digital infrastructures and the development of networks supporting research data management also featured prominently. Topics included the establishment of competence centres, the development of EOSC nodes, the use of open licences and improved access to research outputs.

The final thematic session focused on digital resources and skills needed for contemporary research. Participants examined international digital cooperation projects, network-based models for research data management, the use of open licences and the transition from individual digital archives towards interconnected open science ecosystems.

Several presentations addressed the limitations of traditional bibliometrics, alternative approaches to measuring research activity and the integration of scholarly monograph archives into the open science landscape.

These topics contributed to a broader discussion on digital competencies for researchers, teachers and students, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, the development of digital learning platforms and the need for a systematic approach to managing and sharing research information.

Across both days, key themes included Ukraine’s integration into the European Research Area, the development of interoperable digital systems, high-quality research data management, responsible research assessment, adherence to academic integrity principles and stronger links between research, education and innovation.

Implementing open science principles requires continued coordination between institutions, the development of professional competencies, the adoption of international standards and tools, and the creation of conditions that enable research outputs to be reused effectively.

Watch the conference recordings

If you were unable to attend the conference live or would like to revisit individual presentations, recordings of both days are available on the YouTube channel of the State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine:

• Day 1 — 21 October 2026: Watch the recording on YouTube
• Day 2 — 22 October 2026: Watch the recording on YouTube

For more information about the conference and its programme, visit the official conference website.