On May 24, 2025, Mendel University in Brno hosted another session of the EOSC CZ Networking series, this time in a unique format. For the first time, six prominent Brno-based research institutions gathered to share experiences, challenges, and requirements in advancing open science and the EOSC initiative. Professor Robert Pokluda, Mendel University’s Vice-Rector for ICT, formally opened the event.
The gathering brought together representatives from the Masaryk Oncology Institute, St. Anne’s University Hospital, the Veterinary Research Institute, Brno University of Technology (BUT), the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Masaryk University, and of course the host, Mendel University. This diverse mix of universities and research organizations underscored the strong collaborative potential Brno holds in managing research data and promoting open science.
A focal point of the meeting was the exchange of hands-on experience in implementing advanced research data management tools, specifically, electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs). Institutions still in the pilot phase benefited greatly from the expertise of the BUT team from the KADI4MAT research group. This cross-institutional knowledge exchange embodies the core mission of EOSC CZ Networking: connecting people with shared goals and practical solutions.
Brno’s Open Science community has a rich legacy. Jiří Marek, head of the EOSC CZ Secretariat and contributor to the Czech Republic’s 2017–2020 National Open Access Strategy, reflected on the city’s progress: “Brno’s Open Science scene is producing valuable outcomes that deserve greater visibility, even among researchers themselves. Thanks to EOSC CZ-funded initiatives promoting open science, we’re seeing real progress. The Brno gathering confirmed that the local community has the ideas, know-how, and drive for collaboration, and let’s not forget the ‘Open Access beer,’ now held over 100 times thanks to colleague Honza Skůpa from BUT Brno.”
Participants agreed that EOSC CZ should continue fostering a “by scientists, for scientists” approach, sharing practical skills directly between researchers. Plans are underway for a hands-on workshop focused on advanced research data tools, open to the broader academic community. Meetings like this can accelerate the FAIR principle adoption and move open science from policy into everyday practice.
Furthermore, at the end of June, interested parties will learn how EOSC activities are being implemented in Czech academia. Under the auspices of the EOSC CZ Training Centre and Masaryk University’s Open Science team, the Open Science Workshop MU 2025 will take place.
Photo: Dominika Prášková / AVC MENDELU
Following the Brno networking event, an interview with Professor Ivo Pavlík from Mendel University will be featured. His research team studies bat immunity to mycobacteria, and he discusses the importance of data sharing, interdisciplinary collaboration, and open access in modern research.
In our interview with Professor Ivo Pavlík from Mendel University in Brno, we explored the intersection of microbiology, ecology, and data management. His research team investigates the immune resilience of bats against mycobacteria, pathogens that can cause serious diseases like tuberculosis in humans.
Professor Michal Holčapek, a recognized expert in mass spectrometry and lipidomics, emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing. He also discusses the challenges of research evaluation and urges scientists to focus on the essence of problems rather than metrics.
