The HardiBlog

Open Research Week 2026 is a collaboration between Dublin City University, Queen's University Belfast, University College Cork, University College Dublin and University of Galway, celebrating and promoting open research. It is scheduled for February 9-11, 2026 with morning and afternoon sessions each day, focusing on different aspects of open research such as citizen science, open research culture, open publishing, rights retention, and open data. This will be an online event, where participants can build their own schedule for the week. This event was created by Rebecca Clarke (Open Research Librarian, Queens University Belfast ), Jenny Collery (Scholarly Communications Librarian, University College Dublin ), Donna Ó Doibhlin (Scholarly Communications Librarian, University College Cork ), Liam O'Dwyer (Open Research Librarian, Dublin City University ), and Dr. Jen Smith (Open Research Librarian, University of Galway ). The Open Research Week team wishes to celebrate Open R...

Research publishing at University of Galway: policy and next steps  Research publishing is evolving as funders, governments, and institutions place greater focus on openness, quality and responsible research assessment. In response, the University of Galway has adopted a new Research Publishing Policy that brings together research excellence and open dissemination in a single framework .  Read the full policy: QA237 Research Publishing Policy What the policy is aiming to do The policy recognises research publications as a core institutional asset. It pairs the ambition to publish in leading journals, presses, and platforms with responsible open dissemination of outputs. It supports robust peer review, rigorous editorial standards, equitable access to knowledge, and responsible research assessment.  Open publishing is understood as making research outputs available free of charge online, without subscription barriers, in ways that respect author rights and institutional in...

The Library Research Service Drop-In Clinic starts on the 13th January 2026. Library specialists from the Open and Digital Research team will be available throughout the week to advise researchers on key research areas of open research , research skills , data management , and digital research . If further support is needed, researchers can schedule a 1-1 follow up session with a library specialist. The drop in is suitable for experienced researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD researchers. To learn more about how the library can support you during your research project, stop by the library foyer during one of our sessions below. Day Time Service Focus Tuesday 2-3pm Digital Publishing and Data Management Wednesday 2-3pm Research  Information Skills Wednesday 3-4pm Open Practice Thursday 2-3pm AI for Research & Digital Research (OCR, tools, workflows) Friday 2-3pm Research Data Management Session Overviews The Digital Publishing and Data Management drop-in clinic with...

By joining global movements to reform research assessment, protect access to information, and accelerate the transition to open publishing, the University of Galway is contributing to a more equitable, sustainable publishing ecosystem. The University of Galway joined the  Irish National Chapter  of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment,  CoARA , in 2024. The four core commitments of CoARA are as follows:   Recognise diverse contributions to research   Base research assessment primarily on qualitative evaluation   Abandon inappropriate uses of journal- and metric-based evaluation   Avoid the use of rankings of research organisations in research assessment     The National Chapter provides a platform for Irish members of CoARA to exchange knowledge and mutual learning on issues that are specific to Ireland, such as peer review processes, revision of promotion criteria, adoption of DORA and/or other statements on the responsible use of...

The Imirce project will be featured in the latest season of The History Show with Myles Dungan for RTÉ. The forthcoming episode features a panel of interviews discussing the work of historian Kerby A. Miller and the Imirce digital project that aims to preserve and make available the stories of Irish emigrants who went to North America. Dating across multiple centuries (ca. 1680 to 1990), the collected letters and life stories published to Imirce showcase the Irish emigrants’ place in the formative history of the United States and Canada, and the societal ripple effects of emigration for the Irish who remained. The interviewees include Dan Carey (Professor of English), Marie-Louise Rouget (Digital Archivist and Imirce Project Manager), Helen Hayes Sweeney (History PhD candidate) and Breandán Mac Suibhne (Professor of Modern Irish History) from the University of Galway. The Imirce episode will be released on RTÉ Radio 1 on Sunday 7 September at 6pm. Following the initial broadcast...

The Open and Digital Research Department at the University of Galway Library offers expert advice and support for research and open and digital research practice. We provide a comprehensive suite of services and resources tailored to every stage of the research lifecycle. Whether you are a PhD researcher, postgraduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or an experienced academic, the Library is here to help you maximise the visibility, integrity, and impact of your work. Library as a Space to Learn, Connect, and Collaborate Modern research libraries are no longer defined solely by their collections. Today, they play an active role in supporting the research lifecycle by providing infrastructure, expertise, and services that meet the needs of researchers. This includes guidance on data management planning, support for open publishing, advice on selecting appropriate digital tools, and assistance with understanding funder requirements. The Library aims to offer these services i...