UCL Office for Open Science and Scholarship
LightNews LightNews
banner
uclopenscience.bsky.social
UCL Office for Open Science and Scholarship
@uclopenscience.bsky.social
1.8K followers 680 following 250 posts
At UCL, we champion #OpenScience across all disciplines. We empower our community with support in #OpenAccess, #ResearchData, #CitizenScience, and more, fostering a truly open academic culture.

Join our mailing list: https://shorturl.at/DeWTC
Posts Replies Media Videos
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's the final day of our Advent Calendar ✨🎄

Thanks for joining us for this little tradition, we hope you found something informative, insightful, or inspiring! 🌟

Open the final door 👉 buff.ly/mqrIPaQ

You can view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉 buff.ly/uta70mG
A graphic split into two halves. On the left-hand side is a turquoise blue background with UCL's logo in the top left-hand corner, and 'Season's Greetings from UCL' written in black text on the bottom half of the image. On the right-hand half, is a photo of a building at UCL's East Campus. The sky above is dark blue and cloudy, and the building is a modern building with lots of slits in the outer façade, behind which are windows emanating a white light from indoor lighting. To the right of the building is the twisting red sculpture which was created for the 2012 London Olympics. The red colour stands out against the blue of the sky and the neutral colours of the building. Below this is a small stretch of green grass with a row of trees, and below this is a body of water in which the lights and trees, as well as a dash of red from the sculpture, are reflected.
December 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 24 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

As we approach the end of the year, take a look at what we have planned for 2026 🌟 buff.ly/mqrIPaQ

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
buff.ly/uta70mG

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore)
Half of this photo is taken up with a Christmas tree on the right-hand side, decorated with pink, purple and green baubles, as well as a string of warm white lights. On the left-hand side, is a view of the medical sciences building at UCL which has a tunnel running beneath it, over which is a dual staircase to the entrance of the building. Lights are on inside the building, with warm light emanating from a couple of windows and from the entrance. Over the entrance to the tunnel, there is an arch decorated with greenery, baubles and warm white lights, as well as the words 'Happy Holiday Season' in fluorescent pink light. The reflection of this light makes the ground in front of it appear pink. There are a number of people walking through the tunnel, wrapped up in coats and scarves.
December 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
UCL is now closed for the winter break - we'll be back on Monday 5th January 🌟

Our usual channels won't be monitored during this time but if you need support during the closure period, help is available: buff.ly/KnO5SAD

Thank you for all your support in 2025, and we hope you have a peaceful break🎄
The portico of the wilkins building at UCL, with its 10 pillars, is lit up in rainbow coloured light, with some of the pillars illuminated in blue, some in purple, green, pink, orange and yellow. Against the backdrop of a night sky, it really stands out. In front of the portico is a Christmas tree decorated with warm white lights, and the windows of the wilkins building, which stretches along the length of the image, are lit up from within. The rainbow colours of the portico are reflected on the ground of the quad, which is largely empty apart from pockets of people standing close to the building, and along the right-hand side of the image.
December 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 23 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

This is one to save for the new year 🌟 buff.ly/mqrIPaQ

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
buff.ly/uta70mG

(Image by James Tye on UCL imagestore)
A view of the Wilkins building with the Portico looking quite iconic in the centre. With it's ten pillars and a UCL flag flying from the roof, the Portico looks grand against a blue sky, and in front of it sits a decorated Christmas tree reaching up to the middle of the pillars. In the foreground, there are blurred images of several people who must be walking across the quad, and there are a few small marquees on the left-hand and right-hand sides under which seem to be different food and drink stalls.
December 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 22 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Take a look behind today's door 👉 buff.ly/mqrIPaQ

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
buff.ly/uta70mG

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore)
A view facing the Cruciform building from outside the Wilkins building. The sky above is grey, and the night is drawing in, so lights are on inside the Cruciform building, creating a golden glow from all the windows, complimenting the vibrant red of the bricks making it seem cosy and festive. In the foreground, there are several bare trees which are decorated with simple lights with a purple and pink colour. This colour contrasts with the colour of the cruciform building, giving the whole image a magical, enchanting quality. The area is empty of people, apart from two small figures standing between two small buildings at either side of the entrance.
December 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 21 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

The image gives a clue, but you can find out more by opening today's door 👉 buff.ly/mqrIPaQ

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
buff.ly/uta70mG

(Image from UCL Press website)
A logo with a deep pink background and a large white triangle in the centre, with two of its corners at the top and bottom of the logo, and the other pointing to the right, in order to appear as a 'play' button. 'UCL Press Play', the title of the podcast, is written across the white triangle.
December 21, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 20 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Take a moment to explore what's behind today's door 👉 buff.ly/mqrIPaQ

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉 buff.ly/uta70mG

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore)
In the background of the photo are the pillars of the portico, and the building behind the pillars has a cluster of large snowflakes projected onto it in white light. In the foreground on the left-hand side of the image is the edge of a low building which is decorated with icicle lights and has a window which is lit up from within. To the right of this is a person standing looking towards the Portico, wearing a red Santa hat and a black jacket.
December 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
We are extremely saddened, and our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends.

Paul was always advocating open and accessible knowledge, and was instrumental in the founding of this office. He had a profound impact on Open Science worldwide, and we are determined to continue the path he set.
ucllccos.bsky.social UCL Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science @ucllccos.bsky.social · 13d
We are shocked and saddened to share news of the death of Dr Paul Ayris, Pro-Vice-Provost (LCCOS: Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science). Paul will be hugely missed in LCCOS and beyond, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Read our tribute: https://bit.ly/3XZKE25
In memoriam: Dr Paul Ayris, BA, PhD, FRHist
Remembering Dr Paul Ayris, Pro-Vice-Provost (LCCOS).
www.ucl.ac.uk
December 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 19 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Find out what's behind today's door 👉 buff.ly/mqrIPaQ

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉 buff.ly/uta70mG

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore)
In focus in the middle of the image is a branch of a Christmas tree, with a shiny blue bauble hanging from it. The bauble has waterdrops on it, and displays a reflection of the pillars of the UCL portico lit up in green. In the background of the image, blurred, are other branches of the Christmas tree, a purple bauble and red and orange lights. There is also the blurred impression of a building, and beyond that, a grey sky.
December 19, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
Day 18 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Find something appropriate for the season of generosity behind today's door 🤗 buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
buff.ly/HYVp2IM

(Image AI-generated using prompts from Christine Daoutis)
A cartoon character with a Christmas hat and a long scarf with Creative Commons symbols on it, holding a present.
December 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
We're enjoying these updates from UCL's Teaching and Learning services and Copyright teams buff.ly/PnZeVQv

There's a section about the brilliant Text and Data Mining event which took place in November and was very insightful 💡

@christined.bsky.social
Promoting reading lists and copyright at UCL | UCL LCCOS staff news
UCL Homepage
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
Day 17 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

You might want to open this door before you use any AI tools today 👀https://buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
buff.ly/HYVp2IM

(Image by Yevhen Buzuk from Pixabay)
A view from above of a selection of beautifully wrapped gifts in pale blue, orange, silver and grey, tied up with ribbon. Around the pile of presents are silver baubles, pinecones with the edges painted white, rose gold ribbons and a string of silver beads.
December 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by UCL Office for Open Science and Scholarship
generalising.bsky.social
Festive Bentham!

I had a look in the papers and discovered this gem from his tutor at Oxford in 1760, allowing that yes, young Jeremy would get to go home for the Christmas holidays. transcribe-bentham.ucl.ac.uk/td/JB/537/05...
Your Desire to have him spend his Christmas Holy-days with You in Town, will be very readily complied with: And the kind Invitation You give me to the same place, is extremely obliging; but I am afraid it will hardly be in my Power to accept of it at this time. I am, Sir, Y.r most obed.t hble Serv.t J. Jefferson
December 16, 2025 at 11:27 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
Day 16 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Today's door contains a treat you can listen to 🎧 buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
buff.ly/HYVp2IM

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore, edited using Canva)
A side view of Jeremy Bentham's auto-icon located in a glass box in UCL's student centre. Bentham is in the centre of the image, seated, holding his walking stick and wearing brown trousers, black jacket and a light brown hat. Some Christmas themed graphic elements have been added to the image, in the bottom left-hand corner is an image of a pile of presents, there are images of a star, Christmas tree, presents and bauble appearing on the wall behind Bentham, and a garland of holly, berries and a red bow above his head.
December 16, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
Day fifteen of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Find out what's behind today's door 👉 app.myadvent.net/calendar?id=...

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
blogs.ucl.ac.uk/open-access/...

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore)
Three students stand smiling and facing the camera with hot drinks in their hands and coats on. A larger group of students are standing and socialising behind them, not looking at the camera. In the background are two illuminated street lamps, as well as some purple and pink lights adorning two trees, and some windows within a building lit up with warm light.
December 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
Day 14 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Let's pretend it's snowing and take a look behind today's door ❄️
buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉
buff.ly/HYVp2IM

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore)
A snowy scene of the quad and Wilkins building. The sky is completely white/grey, and the ground is completely white with snow, with a few people gathered or walking across it. A few leafless trees and two small round buildings are coated in snow, and it looks like the snow is still falling.
December 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
Day 13 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Will you discover inspiration behind today's door? buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉 buff.ly/HYVp2IM

(Image by Alejandro Salinas Lopez on UCL imagestore)
A view along the centre of a large desk with students working on laptops on either side, some wearing earphones. There are water bottles, phones and a handbag in the centre of the desk. At the far end of the room is a door, and there are windows on the right-hand side.
December 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by UCL Office for Open Science and Scholarship
ilkayholt.bsky.social
Happy Friday! Recordings and slides are now available from Open and Engaged Conference 2025: "Who Owns Our Knowledge?" Here is the link to the collection of fantastic talks and presentations. #OpenEngaged doi.org/10.22020/dgz...
Open and Engaged Conference 2025 - Who owns our knowledge? // British Library
This year’s Open and Engaged Conference aligns with the Open Access Week 2025 theme, “Who Owns Our Knowledge?”, by exploring the power, ethics, and responsibility embedded in how cultural heritage is…
doi.org
December 12, 2025 at 9:43 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 12 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Find an update for UCL authors behind today's door 👉 app.myadvent.net/calendar?id=...

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉 blogs.ucl.ac.uk/open-access/...

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore)
A Christmas tree, decorated with warm white lights and colourful baubles is in the centre of the image, in front of the Andrew Huxley building in the centre of the main UCL campus. A dark blue sky is slightly visible above the buildings, many of the lights inside the buildings are on and there are a few people along the walkway on the left hand side of the image.
December 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
In November, we hosted a satellite event to tie in with #OAI14 focused on Open Infrastructure.

As expected, there was much insightful discussion to go away and reflect on 💭💬

Read the write-up on our latest blog post 👉 buff.ly/sPUswSc

(Image by Alejandro Salinas Lopez on UCL imagestore)
A member of UCL staff, a woman with long blonde hair wearing a black polo shirt, is looking at a computer screen with concentration and typing something on the keyboard against the backdrop of a corridor of data servers. In the corridor, another member of UCL staff also wearing a black polo shirt is facing away from the camera, as though he is walking down the corridor.
December 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 11 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Take a look behind today's door 👉 buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉 buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

(Image by Lidia from Pixabay)
A blue-grey mug sits on a plate, along with a mince pie dusted with icing sugar, and a sprig of holly with red berries.
December 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 10 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Don't forget to open today's door! buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉https://buff.ly/HYVp2IM

(Image by James Tye on UCL imagestore)
A wintry, evening view of the entrance to the main UCL campus. The portico with it's ten pillars is in the background, lit up in rainbow colours, there is a Christmas tree with warm white lights in front of this and then two large trees adorned with colourful lights on the left and right sides of the portico. In the foreground, the two small security buildings on either side of the entrance are lit up from within and groups of people under umbrellas are walking along the pavement. At the far edges of the image are illuminated street lamps and the whole effect of the image is a wet, wintry, festive feeling.
December 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by UCL Office for Open Science and Scholarship
uclspeccoll.bsky.social
CFP: 'Difficult Collections' Special issue of 'Paper Trails' @uclpress.bsky.social. Focus on challenges of working with troubling heritage collections (colonialism, eugenics, representation, etc). Proposals: 31/01/26; Submissions: 31/05/26. Details: blogs.ucl.ac.uk/special-coll... #GLAM ##HistorySky
Call for Papers: Difficult Collections | UCL UCL Special Collections
UCL Homepage
blogs.ucl.ac.uk
December 2, 2025 at 9:54 AM
uclopenscience.bsky.social
It's day 9 of our Advent Calendar of Research Support ✨

Take a moment and open today's door to discover something which may inform or inspire you 🔎 buff.ly/bRwm4Fc

You can also view an accessible version of the content on our blog 👉https://buff.ly/HYVp2IM

(Image by Mary Hinkley on UCL imagestore)
Two people are behind a desk which has an open notebook and what appears to be elements of an experiment, as well as a computer screen. One person, a woman wearing a green cardigan and earrings which appear to be in the shape of a raspberry, is sat looking at the screen whilst the other person, a woman wearing jeans and a brown jacket as well as blue latex gloves, is standing next to her with a hand on the mouse also looking at the screen.
December 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by UCL Office for Open Science and Scholarship
uclspeccoll.bsky.social
Applications for The Research Institute for Collections (RIC) 2026 fellowships are now open!

RIC offers funded opportunities to conduct research using our archives and manuscripts, rare printed collections, records, and museum #collections.

To learn more and apply: www.ucl.ac.uk/research-ins...
Research Fellowships 2026
Could you be a fellow at UCL Research Institute for Collections?
www.ucl.ac.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM