I had the great privilege of attending the Institute for Replication (I4R) workshop in Barcelona as a representative for the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) as a part of my role as a Local Network Lead. As an advocate for open science practices and an early career researcher, this was a very exciting opportunity for me, especially as I had hosted the ReproducibiliTea journal club for 2.5 years at my own institution to increase awareness of the replication crisis and how we as scientists can remain robust and transparent in what we do.
I was not sure what to expect, given we were told not to prepare slides, but just to bring a topic we wish to discuss. What I was met with was mind blowing. A plethora of experience from professors in economics, to data scientists, environmental scientists, and research specialists. The level of experience in the room matched the enthusiastic and friendly atmosphere (and great food!).
Led by I4R’s Chair, Abel Brodeur, the day consisted of several 30-min discussion topics. These included: how we constitute a successful replication of results, improved findability of replications and retractions, whether we should give more of the replication process over to LLMs, and many other insightful ideas.
My 30-min talk discussed ‘how can universities incentivise open science and replication practices beyond the disciplines where they are already culturally established’. Although I was nervous leading this, the points discussed were very insightful and useful from the mouths of those whose background vastly differed to my own. As the day progressed, it became apparent that we all shared the common passion for being robust in our work, keen to show our expertise, and proud of what we do.
A point from my session that lingered with me is where changes to open science initiatives come from in the disciplines, departments, and labs we associate with. I have often found that it is younger researchers delicately suggesting change to their supervisors in a bottom-up approach, at least, in the disciplines I have experienced. Discussions were made on how policies changing at individual institutions, journals, and funding bodies are working to change the tide on output replicability to a top-down level. It was fascinating hearing about this from people at different stages of their academic careers and to what extent they have seen this themselves.
Notedly, the I4R provide regular ‘Replication Games’ where researchers can attempt to replicate the findings of recent papers in high-impact journals, with the efforts combined into a replication meta paper, listing team members as co-authors. I believe it is efforts like this that have the power to substantially change research culture. I think exposure of these efforts to research labs, established academics, and fresh-faced researchers alike can provide a lot of insight in a short period and provide the ‘why and how’ to open science incentives. Seriously, check it out and take part!
As a recent PhD graduate openly processing their new identity crisis, it was a refreshing and comforting experience to discuss topics I enjoy with people I did not know (the Spanish sun also helped!). The day felt less like an intense academic conference, and more a group discussion from informed professionals. I can confidently say I gained more from this one day than I have at some dedicated conferences.
If there is any final point I can make, it is that the connection between the UKRN and I4R is an invaluable asset, a gift that should keep on giving. Having local network leads attend events with external collaborators is also a vital opportunity to diversify our experience and gain the most from the voluntary roles we embark on.
Thank you to Will Gawned for sending me the opportunity to meet with I4R. Thank you also to Abel at I4R for a fantastic and well organised event, and thank you to all attending members for your friendly and informative contributions. I hope our paths cross again!