Remarks Leo Waaijers award

On October 24th, I received the Leo Waaijers award at the Dutch Open Science Festival. The judges announced a shortlist from 26 nominations, which included the Barcelona Declaration coordinating team, EnvisionBox team, and myself as the founder of ResearchEquals. I include my acceptance remarks below — thank you for all the appreciations, it really fills me up and reinvigorates the work!

Thank you for this incredible honor and the opportunity to share a few words with so many of you.

ResearchEquals anno 2017

Around 8 years ago, the ideas that you now know as ResearchEquals first took hold. 2017 was a very different time.

The idea to publish every step of the research process seemed outrageous. Dreamy. Practically impossible.

After many decisions and iterations, here we are. ResearchEquals exists. Alternative publishing platforms are now a known category. Primary research outputs are slowly going beyond the paper.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Helen, Karien, and Jason, who put the resources and unconditional faith in me to make it happen. It exists because of over 600 of you spearheading this change, publishing hundreds of research steps.

The Leo Waaijers award centers boldness – I've been called impatient. Is boldness a form of impatience? Maybe. I believe sometimes our patience is exploited against us.

ResearchEquals stems from the basic human right to research. To do research, to benefit from research, to have it represent all of us.

The basic right to research is the lens through which I view our work. Why be patient about that?

The basic right to research is powerful because it is clear. There is no reasonable compromise away from basic human rights.

Any compromise on the fundamentals has lasting downstream effects.

Basic rights under threat

Yet it is exactly those fundamentals that are under attack in our world.

The basic right to research is under threat of war. When universities in Gaza and Ukraine get attacked and destroyed, it is a direct threat to the basic right to research. Double standards are a compromise I cannot accept.

The basic right to research is under threat of fascist political regimes. They make a situation so hostile that all those with a spine leave. Those who stay are forced to comply. It happened in Russia and within the borders of the European Union: Hungary. It is happening in the US. It can happen in the Netherlands when a third votes for far right parties.

Open science in 2017 grappled with completely different issues than we must grapple with today. There are fundamental threats knocking at our doors. Digital sovereignty is great, but it is already being coopted by the far right for nationalist purposes. We need to prepare for the scenario that an institution turns hostile against research, just in case.

None of us can sit still in our convictions – holding on to outdated ideas is xenophobia of the mind. We need to reproduce the conditions we desire all the time – especially when what we fought for gets coopted.

ResearchEquals anno 2030

ResearchEquals needs to evolve to meet the moment as well. It is why in 100 days we are releasing a major upgrade I am incredibly excited about.

Nonetheless, ResearchEquals is at a critical point in time. The next few years will make or break our part in this movement. Think of us when you are making decisions around open infrastructure. I offer our help but you need to invite us in.

If anything, this award says "keep going" more than it says "well done." It says "be bolder" rather than "bold enough."

Thank you for that affirmation, I hope to do you proud again over the next years. Thank you.