As part of the NORF-funded TROPIC II project, the end of January saw the official launch of the Irish Reproducibility Network, which is a national, peer-led network rooted in collaboration that connects researchers, librarians, and research offices to strengthen reproducibility and transparency in research across Ireland. The event took place in LERO (Research Ireland Centre for Software), at the University of Limerick, and welcomed researchers, librarians, those working in research support, and academics from all over Ireland.
Attendees were then treated to a glorious keynote by Prof. Tim J. Newton, Dean of Research Culture from King’s College London, who spoke about ‘Open Research: An Essential Component of Research Culture’ and outlined a most useful roadmap to incorporating best open research practice at institutional level. The final part of the event included a series of lightning talks from members of the network showcasing the breadth of open research work and expertise of member of the network.
The Irish Reproducibility Network has been developed as part of the TROPIC II project, funded by the National Open Research Forum (NORF) through the Higher Education Authority and the Government of Ireland. TROPIC II is led by Dermot Lynott from Maynooth University and is aimed at upskilling researchers in open research practices, and developing a national network to support this work. It is a follow-up of the initial TROPIC project, focusing on embedding open science across Irish higher education institutions. The network is an all-island affair, working with colleagues and local research champions at 17 institutions on the island of Ireland.
Over the coming year, keep an eye out for seminars, workshops, short courses, and online materials that promote transparent methods and sustainable training through an institutional and train-the-trainer model. Those interested can sign up for a newsletter here.
By Dermot Lynott, Dounia Lakhzoum, and Martina Prendergast.
Images (top to bottom):
- [Cover image] Dr. Dermot Lynott, Chair of the IRN, kicking off proceedings at the IRN launch
- Prof. Kevin Ryan, VPRI at University of Limerick, launching the IRN.
- Prof. Tim Newton, giving the keynote at the IRN launch.
Photography provided by Piquant.
