Canadian Commission for UNESCO announces appointment of Dr. Vincent Larivière as first UNESCO Chair in Open Science
Ottawa, May 11, 2023 – The Canadian Commission for UNESCO has announced that Dr. Vincent Larivière has been appointed the first UNESCO Chair in Open Science. The Chair’s research, to be carried out in collaboration with 17 partners from 10 countries, will advance understanding of open science in its various forms, and its impact on the dissemination of scientific knowledge nationally and internationally. The announcement was made yesterday during the 90th Congress of Acfas, an association that promotes research and science in French, which is a major partner of the Chair.
Dr. Larivière is a professor in the School of Library and Information Science at the Université de Montréal. He holds a Ph.D. in information studies (McGill University), an M.A. in the history of science (UQAM) and B.A. in science, technology and society (UQAM). Dr. Larivière has been a postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University’s Department of Information and Library Science and a member of UNESCO’s Open Science Advisory Committee.
Promoting access to information and knowledge sharing is central to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s work in the field of science. This appointment will support the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science adopted by UNESCO in 2021. Given the close alignment of Dr. Larivière’s research objectives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as his vast international network in this area, we anticipate his work will make a positive contribution to the field of scientific research, the Canadian UNESCO Chairs Network, and Canadian civil society
– David Schimpky, Director of Secretariat, Canadian Commission for UNESCO
Acfas welcomes the creation of this UNESCO research chair. It is appropriate for our association to provide significant support to Vincent Larivière’s work on open science and also be a leading partner in his research. Support for scientific activity and knowledge dissemination in French lies at the heart of our history and our mission. Acfas promotes the cardinal principles of open science, especially by encouraging multilingualism in scientific practice, scientific publications and academic communications.
– Sophie Montreuil, Director-General, Acfas
What is Open Science?
The UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science defines Open Science “as an inclusive construct that combines various movements and practices aiming to make multilingual scientific knowledge openly available, accessible and reusable for everyone; to increase scientific collaborations and sharing of information for the benefits of science and society; and to open the processes of scientific knowledge creation, evaluation and communication to societal actors beyond the traditional scientific community.”
About UNESCO Chairs in Canada
The Canadian UNESCO Chairs Network has over 30 chairs in 26 universities and one college. It builds connections among universities, civil society, local communities, researchers and policy-makers. It is an established incubator for excellence and innovation, representing academic work in natural science, education, culture, communication and information, and social and human sciences. Its focus is on building capacity through knowledge exchange, promoting North-South and South-South cooperation, achieving UNESCO objectives, identifying solutions to critical issues, and establishing new teaching programs.
About the Canadian Commission for UNESCO
The Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) serves as a bridge between Canadians and the vital work of UNESCO—the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Through its networks and partners, the Commission promotes UNESCO’s values, priorities and programs in Canada and brings the voices of Canadian experts to the international stage. Its activities are guided by the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other UNESCO priorities. CCUNESCO operates under the authority of the Canada Council for the Arts.
About the Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes, and payments contribute to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene and support its presence across Canada and abroad. The Council’s investments foster greater engagement in the arts among Canadians and international audiences. The Council is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.
For further information:
Vanessa Poulin-Gladu
Manager, Public Affairs
vanessa.poulin-gladu@ccunesco.ca