Who Needs the University?

Open Science is often hailed as the Holy Grail of academia, a buzzword that has spread far beyond university walls. At its core, Open Science promotes transparency, accessibility, inclusivity, and accountability in research. This movement is transforming how we conduct, share, and engage with research. Advocates promise a democratization of science, accelerated innovation through open data, and renewed public trust. But does openness inherently lead to better science? Or does it risk undermining quality and shifting power without sufficient safeguards?

As Open Science practices expand, we must consider its impact on knowledge production, education, and the role of universities. Can Open Science change the role universities currently have in our societies, of guardians of knowledge and rigour? If knowledge becomes widely accessible outside academic institutions, what function will universities serve? Could they become obsolete, displaced by the very openness they promote? 
In this debate, we will confront these questions through the central proposition: Open Science makes the university obsolete.

Line-up debaters: to be announced

The fifth edition of the National Open Science Festival will take place on 24 October 2025 in Groningen. The Open Science Festival is where researchers, support staff, and policymakers come together to explore how open science works in practice and what its benefits are.