Berlin's research and innovation landscape is characterized by a dynamic and diverse knowledge ecosystem, in which academic institutions, cultural organizations, public administration, and civil society operate as distinct domains. This diversity offers great potential for synergies to jointly harness the opportunities of open knowledge exchange.

As part of the international open access week, the event “Berlin – city of open knowledge for academia, administration, civil society, and culture” will take place on October 23, 2025. The event will start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. The institute for library and information science at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is a partner of this exciting event. The institute is headed by Heinz Pampel, ECDF Professor of information management at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

The goal of the event is to foster synergies between projects and initiatives, create new networks within Berlin’s knowledge landscape, highlight existing challenges and potential solutions, and enable cooperation under the current framework conditions. The central focus is on improving the open exchange of data, knowledge, and information. Relevant frameworks include the Berlin state open access strategy from 2015, the Berlin open data strategy from 2024, the mission statement for open science by the Berlin University Alliance, and the open research strategy for the state of Berlin, currently in development. Three key formats are planned throughout the day to support these goals:

• Architect and urban researcher Dr. Dagmar Pelger will open the event with a keynote address, providing insights into current challenges and future perspectives for open knowledge in Berlin.
• During the so-called "barcamp/open lab", participants will have the opportunity to select topics, present projects, and discuss approaches to collaboration. The aim is to leverage potential synergies and further develop existing initiatives. Participants are encouraged to propose their contributions in the registration form. Direct contact via email is also welcome – for example, to present prototypes, posters, or similar materials.
• A panel discussion will bring together experts from academia, administration, civil society, culture, and business to share impulses on current challenges and prospects for open knowledge in Berlin. This will be followed by a fishbowl discussion to actively involve the audience. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Anne Schreiter, executive director of Guidance, Skills & Opportunities for Researchers e.V.

Venue:
Freie Universität Berlin
Seminar Center of the FU Berlin in the Silberlaube, ground floor
Otto-von-Simson-Str. 26
14195 Berlin

Registration is possible //here until October 1, 2025.

Further information can be found //here.