The UAB focuses on citizen science in the 2nd Open Science Conference

The UAB held its second Open Science Day, with a programme that combined reflection on this model of scientific research with the presentation of citizen science initiatives from the university.

In his institutional welcome, Javier Lafuente, rector of the UAB, highlighted the university’s commitment to research that serves everyone: “As a public service, the university conducts research and publishes for the benefit of all, because we want citizens to know how science is advancing and in what direction. This represents a very significant shift in mindset”. He also advocated for collaborative work, “so that research may have a scientific, social, and cultural impact, and contribute to transforming society.”

Teresa Sanchís, director general of Research of the Government of Catalonia, thanked the UAB for hosting the event and helping "to disseminate the principles of open science". Sanchís highlighted that the concept of open science has been discussed for several years, but that "lately it has become an ethical issue, an idea that must guide the research we carry out in Catalonia, marking the path we want to follow". She also emphasised that "science must be at the service of society and is a bond and a point of meeting". She even spoke of "scientific diplomacy" to refer to its capacity to foster understanding between countries and people. In this context, she stressed the essential role of universities as spaces for generating and transmitting knowledge, where the future of science is defined.

Rosa Maria Sebastián, vice-rector for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship, highlighted that one of the key themes of the day is precisely citizen science, and that the UAB has long been working to promote it, with incentives for projects that incorporate this methodology and with outreach and participation activities.

The day began with the conference "When Citizen Science Changes the Way Research Is Conducted", given by Josep Perelló of the Department of Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Barcelona. This was followed by a presentation of the UAB's experiences in citizen science, moderated by lecturer Sònia Casillas from the Department of Genetics and Microbiology at the UAB, and Tamara Fernández from the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB-UAB). Later, the conference “The Fifth Freedom” took place, given by Thomas Sturm from the Department of Philosophy at the UAB. Afterwards, Sara Rovira and Christian Olalla, from the Department of Translation and Interpreting and East Asian Studies, presented the “Survey on Open Science for UAB Research Staff”.

Open Science Awards

Finally, the UAB Open Science Awards 2026 were presented—accolades that, as Rector Javier Lafuente noted, “highlight the value of the work done by many people". In the category for research staff, the award went to Paloma Valdívia, lecturer in the Department of Educational Theories and Social Pedagogy. The award for doctoral candidates was presented to Gemma Morell, a PhD candidate in Environmental Science and Technology at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB).