Reflecting about “retreats”.

I recently attended the Open Science Retreat. And wonder, how I can possibly keep up the spirit for myself? As @HeidiSeibold keeps rightfully reminding participants — a retreat is there to “recharge your batteries”. Yep. And why is this necessary (for me)? Simply because I work too much and care too less? Imposed deadlines? The course system? Toxic work environments? It adds up.

For me, it starts with the morning rush (family! school!) and continues thereafter. And yet, should I lament? No!

Well, I know too many good researchers leaving academia because they were either “burned out” or suffering from the work place (plus the fight for tenure). The usual. Right?

Basically, there is little to do. It just took me from grad student to this time to acknowledge, that I needed to change my work pattern and get away from people who despise my science (yes, I was working too much amongst physicists looking down on life scientists). Confining myself to working with people I like is not easy, but does wonders for me.

Then, what are we going to do about it? At least we should discuss our science utopia and draw conclusions every once or while! A good staring point might be https://www.researchequals.com/modules/tbp2-qxg5 by @da5nsy - even though my difficulties and hence my point of view is different.

My retreat resolution? To start blogging again. Sometimes with reflections on (Open) Science. You do not have to read those posts!

The Open Science Retreat would not have been the same without funding and sponsorship.

We were able to keep participation costs low.
Gave out travel fellowships to people from all around the globe.
Had wonderful coffee breaks, a drinks reception for the science karaoke night, and workshops.
Got support to better help families participate.

The feedback from many of the participants was that it was one of the most inclusive events they've been to. Proud

This was again an interesting event #OSR25CH with amaizingly interesting outcomes (https://doi.org/10.53962/k86g-wf) and even more interesting weather…

The Open Science Retreat is over

Thanks to everyone for coming!

And thanks Switzerland for showing us all the seasons you have to offer #OSR25CH
Let's see if the UK will be just as amazing #OSR26UK

The Open Science Retreat 2025 is drawing to a close.

All groups are now sharing what they worked on.
And so many outputs: a zine, a prototype, a preprint, an #OpenScience tools website, grant ideas, two primers, a game, a landscape analysis, ...
They will be collected on https://www.researchequals.com/collections/k86g-wf

Thanks everyone for your inspiring contributions

Check the hashtag #OSR25CH for details on the groups

The latest open science community member! #osr25ch

Last day of the Open Science Retreat is starting with a special surprise: it's snowing!

Thanks Switzerland for showing us all the seasons in one week

We are waking up to the sound of snow...#osr25ch

This group at the Open Science Retreat is aiming to understand, determine and create rewards needed to support open science practitioners.

This group at the Open Science Retreat tries to answer two questions:

1. What tools exist for researchers to work through the research life cycle?
2. Where are the gaps that need to be filled?

In photo: @da5nsy
#OSR25CH #openscience

This group at the Open Science Retreat is identifying challenges and opportunities for Open Research Data reuse and in particular preparing lists on:

learning opportunities
resources & use cases
funding for data reuse

They are also working out a useful definition for Open Research Data beyond the FAIR principles
#OSR25CH #OpenData #ORD

This group at the Open Science Retreat is giving concrete examples on how to integrate Open Science practices in assessment of students.

Easy mini-steps that can be incorporated easily, like instead of writing a regular student paper, practice what you preach and have them write a registered report

The Open Science Retreat group on outreach and promotion for Open Science initiatives is working on two projects:

(1) A primer on how to do outreach and promotion
(2) Posts about the work in each of the groups at the Open Science Retreat (including this one) as an example of outreach

#OSR25CH #OpenScience #SciComm
@rupdecat @jdierke

Huge thanks to the Swiss National Science Foundation for supporting travel stipends that brought international voices to the Open Science Retreat!

Because of their support, researchers and community builders from across borders could join us in person — strengthening the global conversation around open, reproducible, and inclusive science.

Open science is better when it's truly international.
#OSR25CH #ScientificExchange #ThankYou

Recap of the day at #OSR25CH

Games are being created, educational resources are being built, zines are being put together, assessments were mapped out, change is being prepped,...

We hiked, laughed, discussed, ate,...

And the day is not even over!
Science karaoke, silent disco & more to come

What's better than a hike with #OpenScience friends?

Striking a balance - How to make preregistration more accessible and at the same time reproducible

That's what this group at the Open Science Retreat is aiming to achieve. Looking forward to their output!

With @lisaspitzer and Aiste

️ Big thanks to Wikimedia CH for fueling the Open Science Retreat — quite literally!

Their support made our coffee breaks and meeting rooms possible — giving space for deep conversations, spontaneous ideas, and new connections around open research and open knowledge.

Open minds need open spaces. Thanks for making that happen, Wikimedia CH!
#OSR25CH #WikimediaCH #OpenKnowledge #Gratitude

This group at the Open Science Retreat is creating a game similar to Family Feud called "Survey says: Open Science"

Help needed:
Fill in the blanks in the following 12 statements about Open Science to help the group get 100 answers: https://6nwujj22sqm.typeform.com/to/V1I3WuLk

We will play it tomorrow!

Good morning, Open Science Retreat 2025!