Open science and epistemic equity: opportunities and challenges in the
contemporary research ecosystem
#MMPMID41382220
Farrow R
BMC Res Notes
2025[Dec]; 18
(1
): 504
PMID41382220
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The contemporary context for open science is characterised by growing
international policy momentum toward more transparent, inclusive, and
collaborative scientific practices which build on the transformative potential of
openness to enhance research equity, reproducibility, and collaboration. However,
the shift from aspiration to implementation remains uneven and contested.
Persistent structural challenges (e.g. misaligned incentives, disparities in
infrastructure, and uneven access to funding and training) risk reinforcing
rather than dismantling existing inequalities. The rapid proliferation of
artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly generative AI (GenAI),
raises new concerns about epistemic authority, research integrity, and the
ownership of knowledge. While AI could accelerate discovery and increase access
to scientific information, it may also amplify exclusionary dynamics or prohibit
the transparency open science aims to promote. This commentary paper describes
how the unfolding integration of AI into research practices intersects with the
goals and challenges of open science, particularly in relation to equity and
inclusion. I surface the tensions between open science and research equity,
examining how the changing technological landscapes intersect with long-standing
socioeconomic and structural barriers. The paper argues for renewed attention to
the normative foundations of open science, particularly regarding intellectual
property, inclusive infrastructure, and equitable participation.
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