Open Research Working Group

Brunel's Open Research Working Group (ORWG) was established in 2020 to bring together members from across the University to help our staff and students embed open research principles and practice within their work. Our aim is to foster a culture of openness and transparency in scholarly research, while upholding the highest standards of research integrity.  

The Open Research Working Group aims to: 

• provide guidance and training on open research for all disciplines and career stages 

• promote recognition of open research practices and advocacy

• share best practices and innovations in open research 

• promote adoption and adherence to DORA principles across Brunel 

We currently have over forty members, made up of academic and professional services staff from across the University. Brunel is also a Local Network member of the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) recognising Brunel's commitment to promoting Open Research. Dr Emma Norris, Division of Global Public Health is the Local Network Lead for Brunel’s Open Research Working Group. 

 A summary of activities led by Brunel’s Open Research Working Group and our open research champions is listed below. 

Open Research Champions

The University has established a group of Open Research Champions in July 2024, comprising academic staff who advocate and facilitate open research at department level. Our Open Research Champions provide department-specific training and one-to-one support on how to engage with open research practices. 

Our current Open Research Champions by college and department, are listed alphabetically by surname, below. Interested staff from departments without a current Open Research Champion are very welcome to apply. Please contact the Local Network Lead, Dr Emma Norris to discuss. 

Brunel’s biennial Open Research Awards recognise advances to Open Research practice and advocacy across the University. 

2024 Open Research Award winners
 

• Dr Adam Bruton – Life Sciences (CHMLS)
• Dr Alessio Franconi – Design (CEDPS). Now based at Royal College of Art.
• Dr Amanda Lanzillo – Social and Political Sciences (CBASS) Now based at University of Chicago.
• Dr Bianca de Haan – Life Sciences (CHMLS)
• Dr Denise Ragusa – Life Sciences (CHMLS)
• Dr Giuseppe Destefanis – Computer Science (CEDPS)
• Dr Mariza Dima – Arts and Humanities (CBASS) and Dr Damon Daylamani-Zad – Electronic and Electrical Engineering (CEDPS) Joint Award
• Dr Neil O’Connell – Health Sciences (CHMLS)
• Dr Nour Ali – Computer Science (CEDPS)

See the presentation slides from the 2024 Open Research Award winners here.

• Dr Mohammed Elsouri – Brunel Design School (CEDPS)
  Video (YouTube): Open research methods 
  
  
• Dr Adam Lewis and Dr Elmar Kal – Physiotherapy (CHMLS)
  Video (YouTube): Open science principles
  
  
• Dr Manu Savani – Politics and History (CBASS)
  Video (YouTube): Why you should pre-register your research study – and how easy it is to do
  
  
• Dr Neil O’Connell – Physiotherapy (CHMLS)
  
  
• Dr Isabel Sassoon – Computer Science (CEDPS)
  
  
• Dr Edward Smith – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (CEDPS) 

 The Open Research Working Group has compiled a list of useful and easy to access training and resources covering a wide range of open research topics to support our research community.

This includes training and resources developed internally by Open Research and Rights, Library Services, Brunel researchers and Open Research Award winners, as well as freely available external resources developed by and for the research community.  

The list will shortly be made available here.