ZENODO'S DECADE OF EMPOWERING OPEN SCIENCE: A TRUSTED GLOBAL REPOSITORY FOR RESEARCH

In the pursuit of transforming open access into open science, the European Union's visionary OpenAIRE project led to the creation of Zenodo in 2013. Initially conceived as a catch-all repository by CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), Zenodo has evolved into a dynamic platform, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. With 25 million annual visits, 3+ million uploads, and over 1 petabyte of data, Zenodo has become a trusted space for researchers worldwide.

Lars Holm Nielsen and Tim Smith, instrumental in Zenodo's creation, collaborated with librarian Christopher Erdmann to address the need for faster and simpler access to scientific knowledge. Zenodo accelerates the sharing of science by allowing researchers to upload software, data, preprints, and other digital outputs instantly, bypassing the traditional wait for publication results.

The platform, named after Zenodotus, the first librarian at the Ancient Library of Alexandria, operates as a one-stop-shop for global research from every discipline. By assigning Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to each item, Zenodo ensures proper curation of software, data, articles, and conference materials, offering researchers credit for their contributions.

Over the years, Zenodo has debunked initial skepticism, proving its worth by exceeding expectations. The platform's 'communities' feature empowers users to create repositories for shared resources, fostering a collaborative and discoverable scholarly environment. Impactful contributions, such as a 3D-printable model of the universe, a COVID literature review study, and Event Horizon Telescope software, showcase the breadth of materials shared on Zenodo.

Zenodo's technical platform, open source from its inception, has unexpectedly inspired institutions to develop their repositories. The platform, now named InvenioRDM, is co-developed by 25 research institutions worldwide, creating a global infrastructure that levels the playing field for researchers worldwide.

Jose Benito Gonzalez Lopez, part of the team expanding Zenodo, emphasizes the importance of an open, community-run infrastructure. The platform's long-term vision is to stay at the forefront of scholarly communication, addressing challenges while remaining innovative.

As Zenodo celebrates its 10th year, it stands as a testament to the success of open science and the global impact of collaborative, community-driven initiatives.

More: https://sparcopen.org/impact-story/zenodos-open-repository-streamlines-sharing-science/