Open data in science and research : raw data now

Open Data in science and research is an emerging priority for governments and public bodies across the western world. In 2009 Tim Berners-Lee (inventor of the World Wide Web) called for “raw data now” – for governments, scientists and institutions to make their data openly available on the web. That message is rippling around the world and government and public bodies from EU to NERC are responding. Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission, recently said: "Taxpayers should not have to pay twice for scientific research and they need seamless access to raw data." This was followed by a separate statement that open access will be a "general principle" applied to grants awarded through the €80bn Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation. In the talk I will attempt to answer the following questions: - What is NERC doing to enable us to align with these emerging policy drivers? - What are the benefits that a BGS scientist will get? - What are the risks that a BGS scientist face?