Open science policy guidelines promoting open data sharing in low and middle-income countries for respiratory health research under NIHR Global RESPIRE project

Open science drives progress, especially in the low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), where data security and confidentiality are at risk due to lack of resources and non-compliance with diverse privacy laws. The National Institutes of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE 2) project, funded by the UK NIHR, is a global collaboration led by the University of Edinburgh and Universiti Malaya, in partnership with seven LMICs and the UK. The collaboration developed open science policy guidelines to streamline data sharing, while ensuring compliance with privacy laws. They thus enable open data sharing in RESPIRE, furthering knowledge and scientific progress and providing greater research opportunities. This is in alignment with UNESCO, which promotes the open science movement to make scientific research and data more accessible, transparent, and collaborative. Some of the key components of this policy guideline are: Here we outline some of the key components of this policy guideline and provide recommendations. By following ethical data-sharing practices and fostering international collaboration, researchers, research assistants, technicians, and research support services can improve the impact of their research and contribute significantly to resolving global health challenges. Policymakers, research institutions, and funding agencies must support the adoption of open science practices in local contexts for long-term sustainability.