The University policy on open access to research publications and data
Approved on 19 December 2017, the Open Access policy implements the University’s Ethical Code of Behaviour and promotes the open access principle as defined in the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities and in the Messina Declaration, both signed by the University of Bologna. Moreover, the policy applies the European Commission Recommendations on access to and the preservation of scientific information, and Italian law n. 112/2013 art. 4, which states that publicly funded research shall be openly available to the public.
The University intends to support Open Access through the Institutional Research Repository (the green road) and the publishing services of the digital library, the adoption of incentives, and negotiations with publishers for immediate open access publication (the golden road).
The Open Access set by the policy concerns research publications including data, PhD theses and the data of the research.
All scientific contributors affiliated with the University of Bologna are bound by the policy.
Read the University policy on open access to research publications and data [.pdf 148 KB]
The University Policy on research data management
The University recognises the relevance of research data management in improving the quality and impact of knowledge generated by its scientific community, in terms of transparency, reproducibility/replicability and dissemination. This is aligned with the content of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, promoted by the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) and signed by the University of Bologna.
The key role of research data in the overall vision of the University is reaffirmed in its Strategic Plan 2022-2027, particularly goal 31.
In order to guide the scientific community, the Policy on research data management has been ratified on 28 November 2023.
This Policy establishes which criteria and principles to follow to correctly manage research data, in full respect of legal and contractual obligations and in line with international standards and disciplinary specificities.
The Policy is in lockstep with the University policy on open access to research publications and data.
Read the University Policy on research data management [.pdf 189 KB]