Frank Fischer Appointed Open Science Officer at Freie Universität Berlin
News from Feb 03, 2025
As one of the first universities in Germany, Freie Universität Berlin has appointed both an Open Science Officer and an Open Access Officer in order to strengthen the free dissemination of scholarly and scientific knowledge across the research community and society at large.
On 21 January 2025, Frank Fischer, Cluster Professor of Digital Humanities at the Department of Philosophy and Humanities, took up the newly created position of Open Science Officer at Freie Universität Berlin with the remit of representing and promoting the principles and values of open science and scholarship in research and teaching throughout the University. This will further consolidate the transparency and traceability of research data, methods and results as a cornerstone of good academic practice, while also making a direct contribution to the social acceptance and informed use of scholarly and scientific knowledge. In addition to the facilitation of open research practices, contributions to research assessment and the development of new strategic goals, the Open Science Officer will collaborate with the University's Open Science Working Group to foster open research infrastructures, open engagement between societal groups and open dialogue with other knowledge systems.
Frank Fischer's current research at the nexus of computer science and literary studies in Research Area 5 "Building Digital Communities" of EXC 2020 includes the project Digital Observatory of World Literature.
The role of Open Access Officer will be taken on by Dennis Mischke, who holds a doctorate in American Studies and is Head of the Department for Research and Publication Services at the University Library of Freie Universität Berlin.