The ZBW

What is happening at the ZBW?

The digital shift is changing the science system. For centuries, science has relied on libraries as repositories of knowledge – but they are changing rapidly and radically, too. The ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics presents its way forward: a triad of research, engagement and development for Open Science.

  • The ZBW does research  in the area of Open Science, in particular in computer and information science. It wants to strengthen the commercial independence of, and excellence in, the science system. The ZBW wants to enable easy and quick access to scientific findings, publications and data.
  • The ZBW is an active player in science policy, nationally and internationally, to implement Open Science.
  • At the same time, the ZBW actively builds this Open Science ideal by developing new technologies that enable access and remove barriers.



I The ZBW researches Open Science. Look into the research lab.

The ZBW focuses its research on research data management and the efficacy of Open Science.

The ongoing national and international research projects and cooperations of the ZBW concentrate on the management of research data according to the idea of the “European Open Science Cloud” developed by the European Commission and the national, federated infrastructure for research data (NFDI) recommended by the German Council for Scientific Information Infrastructures. In addition there is research on the efficacy of Open Science and new methods for measuring scientific impact.



Know more about our research projects.


Know more about our research cooperations.



II The ZBW is active in science policy advocacy for Open Science.

National and international consultation activities

The expertise of ZBW researchers in the domain of Open Science and digitisation of the science system is in growing demand for consultation in science policy.

As a Leibniz institution and foundation under public law, it is a matter of concern for the ZBW to incorporate its own experiences and research results into the recommendations for policy and society. Consequently, the ZBW is involved in various committees and working groups.

ZBW staff members are active in the following expert groups:

  • G7 Open Science Working Group
  • Council for Information Infrastructures
  • Working Group Open Access Science Europe
  • Working Group EOSC Sustainability
  • Various LIBER Working Groups
  • Various working groups of the Alliance of German Science Organisations
  • Various working groups of the Leibniz Association


In previous years, members of ZBW staff have also been active in two High Level Expert Groups of the European Commission: “European Open Science Cloud” and “Expert Group on Altmetrics”.

More information: zbw.to/science-policy



The GO FAIR Initiative

In 2016, the European Commission finalised its plans for the establishment of a European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) to enable European researchers to use the full potential of data-driven science. The early movers in this context are the Netherlands, Germany and  France. In 2017, they agreed to bundle their efforts fo foster the European Open Science Cloud and the GO FAIR Initiative. FAIR in the context of research data means “findable”, “accessible”, “interoperable” and “reusable”. After three years’ groundwork, the GO FAIR Community has grown into a globally active network. The GO FAIR Community is an indispensable part of the international research data landscape as an important driver for the building of a global internet of FAIR Data and Services.

The Open Science Conference

The Open Science Conference is the main international conference of the Leibniz Research Alliance Open Science. The conference addresses the growing global Open Science movement and offers a unique international platform for researchers, experts from libraries and science policy, and other stakeholders to discuss and share ideas and practical experiences. The International Open Science Conference is hosted by the ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics (www.zbw.eu) and the Leibniz Research Alliance Open Science (https://www.leibniz-openscience.de).
URL: www.open-science-conference.eu




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