Although the idea of open science is identical to that of citizen science, both share certain objectives, namely sharing knowledge, democratising access to knowledge, and research transparency.
The opening and circulation of scientific information, together with the opening and sharing of data and research source codes, are major issues for building a society of knowledge. Open science provides tools to enable all citizens to access scientific findings and to help the third sector (all associations, citizens, local authorities, SMEs, and other stakeholders who are currently far removed from research funding) to contribute to research projects and training.
Thus UNESCO clearly places the principle of opening up science to society in its recommendations for open science .
In 2021, Université Rennes 2 set up the Univer.Cité mission, managed by the Direction de la Recherche et de la Valorisation (Research Promotion Unit). It seeks to systematise a new model of interaction between science and society and so, first, to make university resources available to society as a whole, and, second, to recognise and value all the knowledge and skills held by society’s members. Univer.Cité will provide support for bespoke training, research, action research, and projects for creation research.
The Rennes site has also been awarded the "Science with and for Society" label. On April 14, 2022, the member institutions of the Rennes site, including Université Rennes 2, received a new label from the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for the TISSAGE project project, led by the University of Rennes.
TISSAGE, which stands for "TrIptyque Science Société pour AGir Ensemble", aims to establish a dialogue between citizens, researchers and decision-makers on issues such as environmental, health, digital and societal transitions.
In addition to UniR's member institutions, the project draws on a solid network of partners already involved in the region: the Brittany Region, Rennes Métropole, the Rectorat and the Delegation Régionale Académique à la Recherche et à l'Innovation (DRARI), the regional offices of national research organizations, as well as Espace des Sciences, TV Rennes and Ouest France, all of whom will be making their expertise and tools available to ensure that TISSAGE reaches all audiences.
The TISSAGE project is structured around three axes, each of which will help to build links of various kinds between the players in the triptych of citizens, researchers and decision-makers.
The first axis aims to strengthen relations through training courses, to develop everyone's dialogue skills and introduce future citizens to "science in the making".
The second axis will implement debates involving stakeholders, making them accessible to as many people as possible and drawing up recommendations for the region.
Finally, the project aims to provide the necessary resources to enable the co-construction of participatory research projects at the service of the region.