Building Bridges: Cultivating Open Science Communities Within Research Institutions

While many institutions have embraced open science through policies and training initiatives, creating enduring communities that sustain open practices remains a significant challenge. This panel explores strategies for developing resilient, researcher-led open science communities that persist despite institutional turnover, shifting priorities, and the project-based nature of academia.The discussion will primarily examine how institutions can move beyond episodic interventions toward sustainable community structures that embed open science into institutional culture. Panelists will share insights on establishing people-centered governance models that prioritize inclusivity and shared ownership, developing community champions networks, and creating formal and informal mentorship pathways. Special attention will be given to the professionalization and recognition of roles that embed community-building approaches within the research ecosystem, as these formalized positions can significantly enhance the resilience of open science communities and ensure technologies and practices genuinely serve researcher needs. Additionally, panelists will explore strategies for integrating open science practices into existing departmental workflows to create lasting cultural change.Through this exchange, we hope to develop a shared understanding of effective pathways toward cultivating open science communities that accelerate discovery through collaboration.