Research and analysis

Intelligent open science: viral genomic data sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic

A case study on how data was shared across borders during the coronavirus pandemic, and best practice for responding to future global emergencies.

• From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 15 November 2022

Documents

Intelligent open science: a case study of viral genomic data sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ref: BEIS research paper 2022/026

PDF, 2.58 MB, 69 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alt.formats@beis.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

While genomic sequencing data was shared more quickly and widely than ever before during the COVID-19 pandemic, in many cases it was shared too late, or in too partial a form, to support the emergency response.

There is broad consensus that existing norms for data sharing are not well-adapted to an emergency context in which near real-time sharing is the desired goal.

Following the open science commitments made during the UK’s G7 Presidency, BEIS commissioned this study to add depth and precision to existing recommendations on:

• data sharing across borders
• related research practice
• related cultural issues

The findings are intended to inform understanding of open science best practice in responding to future global emergencies.

Published 15 November 2022