The Open Research Champion Network is a new initiative intended to raise awareness and share experience of open research activities across LSHTM.
What is an Open Research Champion?
An Open Research Champion is a volunteer who actively promotes open research within an LSHTM community with which they are involved. This community can be an academic department, research theme, research group, course module, or other unit.
Open Research Champions form a network across the faculties and departments at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Who can join?
The Open Research Champion Network is open to all LSHTM staff and students who have an interest in open research and are willing to volunteer a few hours each month to contribute to activities. Some knowledge of open research is considered beneficial, but you do not need to be an expert.
If you are interested in becoming an Open Research Champion for a specific group, please discuss it within your team and/or with your supervisor and complete the Expression of Interest form.
What are the benefits in becoming an Open Research Champion?
Open Research Champions will have the opportunity to:
- Gain new knowledge and skills on open research
- Extend their research network, both within and outside LSHTM, by connecting with a diverse community of researchers and open science advocates
- Collaborate with others to develop and deliver open research activities
Contributions to the Open Research Champion programme can be mentioned in LSHTM Citizenship activities and included in your CV.
Who will the open research champion represent?
Volunteers can specify a group that they wish to represent as an Open Research Champion. This may be a academic department, research theme, research centre, course module, or other suggested unit.
What is involved?
Open Research Champions are encouraged to propose and participate in activities that will promote and showcase open research activities within their group . Potential activities can include:
- Promoting open research practices in their own work
- Raising awareness of open research within their communities, e.g. signposting resources that may be of interest to colleagues, identifying challenges in applying open practices.
- Developing and delivering presentations on open research topics that may be of interest to colleagues or a wider audience.
- Contributing to training activities on topics related to open research
- Participating in open research case studies
Champions will have opportunities for personal and professional development through interaction with the LSHTM community. They are encouraged to communicate with each other via regular meetings to share their experience and discuss activities that are planned or underway.
How is the Open Research Champion programme managed?
The programme is managed by the Research Data Manager in the Library, Archive & Open Research Services. Activities are coordinated by an Open Research Champion working group comprised of LSHTM academics.
How does the open research working group support OR Champions?
The Open Research Working Group supports champions by:
- Organising general and specialised training
- Providing information on trends in open research
- Working with Champions to develop and deliver events
- Organisation of meetings every 2 months
How do I join?
OR Champions will be recruited every spring; the positions will be advertised through an open call and interested candidates will apply for a post within their department or research group.
Open Research Champions are usually appointed for a period of 12 months (minimum) with an ability to extend their tenure to up to 3 years (maximum).
If you are interested in becoming an Open Research Champion for a specific group, please discuss it within your team (e.g. with your head of department) first and complete the Expression of Interest form.
