{"id":15653,"date":"2026-02-05T11:28:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8d.nl\/mogelijkheden\/on-design-open-science-and-knowledge-mobilisation\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T11:04:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T11:04:20","slug":"on-design-open-science-and-knowledge-mobilisation","status":"publish","type":"mogelijkheden","link":"https:\/\/8d.nl\/en\/mogelijkheden\/on-design-open-science-and-knowledge-mobilisation\/","title":{"rendered":"On Design, Open Science and Knowledge Mobilisation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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On Design, Open Science and Knowledge Mobilisation<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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Open Science is the idea that scientific knowledge should be shared as openly, transparently, and reusably as possible. This does not only concern end results, such as a freely accessible article instead of a publication behind a paywall, but also openness about the process through which knowledge is produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That means, for example, that data, methods, code, and other building blocks of research are made available wherever possible. Other researchers, designers, and societal partners can then build on this or apply the knowledge and tools in their own practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this page we explain how, in our view, Design and Open Science are connected. And above all, how we as designers commit ourselves to better disseminating and preserving \u201calternative outputs<\/em>\u201d of research, such as tools, creative products, and reports of co-creation, through the principles of Open Science.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What do Design and Open Science have to do with each other?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. (Co-)design contributes to a core goal of Open Science<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Open Science is often primarily associated with open access<\/em> and open data<\/em>: research outputs that are freely available to anyone who wants to consult them. However, in international frameworks such as the UNESCO Open Science Toolkit<\/a>, the concept is explicitly defined more broadly. \u201cOpen dialogue with other knowledge systems\u201d and \u201copen engagement with society\u201d are also identified as key characteristics of Open Science.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Image: Pillars of Open Science,<\/em> UNESCO<\/em><\/a> (2021)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    This is precisely the domain in which design and co-creation operate. When we work on artefacts such as games, websites, or interactive systems, we do so in collaboration with societal partners, citizens, and public authorities. In this process, different forms of knowledge come together and so-called alternative knowledge products emerge. These can take many forms and are at least as important as a scientific paper when it comes to making the impact of research visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    2. Alternative outputs deserve a more explicit place<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This brings us to the next point. These alternative outputs<\/em> are generally documented and preserved far less systematically than traditional outputs such as scientific articles, let alone in line with Open Science guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a result, important parts of a research project often disappear from view once the project ends. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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