Researcher looking into a microscope in a laboratory.

Open Research

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Becoming an interdisciplinary incubator, building communities of knowledge and practice. Inspiring people from all backgrounds to engage with our collections and contribute to our research.

The Library supports you throughout the whole research cycle, no matter what stage you are in your research career.

The Open Research Team work with you through the provision of services, systems, resources and training to help you achieve your research goals and enable Open Research. We’re here to engage with you throughout the whole research cycle, no matter what stage you are in your research career to help you plan, publish, preserve and share your research and meet funder requirements.

Open Research (used interchangeably with Open Science) champions the idea that scholarly and scientific knowledge (and data) should be shared as freely as possible and as early as possible in the research process across all disciplines, both within and beyond academia. By aiding the development of open research skills and practices, we are working towards more reproducible, accessible and rigorous research. Find out more about the principles and benefits of Open Research.

The library tree

Research Publications and Rights Retention policy

Following a recent N8 Research Partnership initiative Lancaster University’s Senate have approved a new ‘rights retention’ policy for Lancaster University.

Research Publications and Rights Retention policy

Open Research Services

  • Open Access

    The Library supports researchers to identify where to publish research, understand how to make publications Open Access, meet Open Access requirements, and take advantage of Open Access funding agreements.

  • Research Data Management

    The Library supports researchers in accessing, managing, preserving and sharing research data effectively, including producing Research Data Management Plans and utilising Lancaster University's institutional data repository.

  • Research Intelligence

    The Library provide intelligence that can inform you of the impact and influence of your research, using publication data, citations analysis and Altmetrics. This can help with choosing where to publish, finding collaborators and plays a supporting role in funding bids, benchmarking of current practice and evidencing your research strengths.

  • Principles and benefits of Open Research

    Open Research champions the idea that scholarly and scientific knowledge (and data) should be shared as freely as possible and as early as possible in the research process.

Research Engagement Spaces

The Digital Scholarship and Open Research Labs are flexible spaces that can facilitate a range of workshops and events. The Library is looking to partner with its diverse research community to promote interdisciplinary Open Research and Digital Scholarship throughout the institution and beyond. If you are interested in hosting an event in the Research spaces that relates to either Open Research, Digital Scholarship, or partners with the library, please submit an event request using this form. Please click here for further information about the spaces.

If you would like to discuss an event idea with the Library Open Research Team please email libraryresearchspaces@lancaster.ac.uk.

Open research lab

Location: A386, A floor

Facilities: LCD Screens with laptop input, folding tables and chairs. View on campus map

Digital scholarship lab

Location: A387, A floor

Facilities: teaching console with LCD Touch Screen, multiple cameras, 3 desktop computers, folding tables and chairs. View on campus map

SafePod

A SafePod is a standardised safe setting that provides the necessary security for a researcher to access sensitive datasets from participating Data Centres across the UK. The SafePod includes a door control access system, CCTV, a researcher area for the analysis of datasets and a separate secure storage area for IT equipment. The SafePod is also wheelchair accessible and includes a height adjustable desk.

Find out more about the SafePod.

Image of SafePod in Library

Useful links

Library Research News