The Open Scholarship Framework

Open science is a research practice that aims to eliminate barriers to scholarly information and collaboration

Open science seeks to maximize the impacts of scholarly pursuits on society through the sharing of resources (e.g., data, protocols, software, hardware), intellectual property, scholarly publications, as well as the research process itself. Open scholarship is a broader practice which includes all “open” practices across disciplines, from the sciences, to the social sciences, and humanities. Its effects can create more equitable access to scholarship, accelerate discovery and innovation, increase the efficiency and quality of scholarship, and promote transparency and accountability. 

The Open Science and Open Scholarship Principles set the foundation for an Open Scholarship Framework for SFU, defining what it means for SFU to be an "Open University." They serve as a guide for developing best practices in open scholarship implementation, and will be reviewed and revised regularly by and with the SFU community. The principles are not policies and there is no punishment for not following or not agreeing with them. Instead, they reflect our mission, our vision and values as a research community.

The initiative is open to SFU faculty, staff, students, and research partners. It also encourages collaboration with community organizations, Indigenous communities, and other non-academic stakeholders. Several activities and engagement opportunities are offered throughout the year and are designed by the community. The Open Scholarship Champions program gathers leaders in open scholarship and provide support in their projects. It includes all members of our community and you can join through training or experience. Our community has also promoted virtual panels, info booths, games, workshops, and preprint peer review clubs.

If you're just starting to practice open scholarship, we recommend taking a look at our resources page, especially our Starter Plan, and booking a meeting with our community manager.

SFU recognizes that openness must be balanced with ethical, legal, cultural, and privacy considerations. Researchers are expected to assess whether data, materials, or findings can be shared responsibly and to protect sensitive information throughout the research process.

SFU's Open Scholarship Framework aligns with established ethical standards, including the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2). Researchers must obtain appropriate informed consent, safeguard participant confidentiality, and comply with privacy legislation and institutional policies when collecting, managing, and sharing data.

The framework also acknowledges that some knowledge should not be openly shared. This is particularly important when working with Indigenous communities, where data governance principles, community protocols, and Indigenous rights must be respected. Researchers are encouraged to engage communities as partners and ensure that decisions about data access, ownership, and sharing are made collaboratively.

By promoting responsible openness, SFU aims to increase transparency and accessibility while maintaining trust, protecting participants, and respecting diverse knowledge systems. 

SFU is committed to helping researchers adopt open scholarship practices by providing guidance, infrastructure, and training across the entire research lifecycle. Whether researchers are just beginning to explore open scholarship or are looking to expand existing practices, a range of supports are available.

Researchers can access resources related to research data management, open-access publishing, knowledge mobilization, and the sharing of research outputs such as datasets, software, protocols, and educational materials. SFU also works to build institutional infrastructure that supports the discoverability, preservation, and long-term accessibility of research products.

Training opportunities, workshops, working groups and community-building initiatives help researchers develop the skills needed to implement open practices effectively and responsibly. In addition, SFU's Open Scholarship Framework encourages collaboration across disciplines and with external partners, creating opportunities for researchers to learn from one another and contribute to a more transparent, inclusive, and impactful research ecosystem. As the framework evolves, new tools, services, and funding opportunities may be introduced to further support open scholarship activities across the university.

Get in touch with us if you need guidance around where and how to find these resources!