PaNOSC at the School on Synchrotron Light Sources and Their Applications – Watch the video
On January 15th, PaNOSC coordinator, Andy Götz, contributed to the School on Synchrotron Light Sources and Their Applications, with a talk on Open Science and FAIR Data, titled “The role of the [Open] Scientist in making Data FAIR for Reproducible Science”.
The School. which was held online from the 12th to the 23rd of January 2026, introduced young scientists to the design, operation, and research opportunities offered at a modern synchrotron light source and how such sources are realised.
In particular, in his talk, Andy discussed the importance of Open Science and FAIR data, and the role of scientists in these movements. He highlighted the shift from traditional closed science practices to more open access, citing examples, such as the European Open Science Cloud and the growing trend of publishing data without publications due to the volume of data produced by modern scientific instruments.
Moreover, Andy highlighted the four pillars of Open Science: open access to publications, open data, open source software, and open hardware. Sharing research increases its impact and allows for verification and collaboration. Examples were shared of successful open data initiatives, such as the Protein Data Bank and the palaeontology database, with the explanation of how open data can lead to new discoveries and advancements.
Andy also addressed common concerns about Open Science, such as the fear of losing control over one’s work, and argued that Open Science is not a new concept but rather a continuation of the traditional scientific process.
Furthermore, he explained that open access publications can increase citations and visibility, but noted challenges such as high costs for gold open access. He also mentioned the need for scientists to manage their data properly to ensure it is FAIR – findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable, citing a study estimating the cost of poor data management at 10 billion euros. He introduced the concept of FAIR data and its principles, urging attendees to familiarise themselves with these guidelines to improve their research practices.
Andy stressed the importance of data availability and accessibility in scientific research, pointing out that data should be made accessible through platforms, such as Zenodo, rather than relying on contact requests to authors. He highlighted that only 6.4% of French publications with data availability statements actually provide accessible data, and recommended that scientists avoid using vague statements about data availability.
He finally covered the role of metadata in data management, noting that proper metadata description is crucial for data usability and that facilities like synchrotrons use standardised vocabularies, such as Nexus for metadata recording.
Overall, the school consisted of three modules:
- Physical aspects concerning the design and function of the main components: accelerators, insertion devices and beamline optics;
- Overview of the arguments that can be made in order to fund and build a synchrotron light source, including socioeconomic benefits, stakeholder engagement, communication; and
- Overview of common beamline techniques, including those utilizing X-rays and infrared radiation.
Topics:
- Fundamentals of synchrotron radiation from storage rings
- Fundamentals of X-ray interactions with matter
- Design and operation of storage rings
- Beamline design: Photon transport and optics
- Bending magnets and insertion devices
- Project management at a large facility
- Ancillary devices for light sources
- Socioeconomic justification
- Cultural heritage
- Stakeholder engagement/communications
- Starting up user operations at a new facility
- Industrial Applications
- IR microscopy
- Basics of X-ray crystallography and powder diffraction
- Basics of structural biology
- Fundamentals of X-ray absorption: EXAFS and XANES
- XRF, TXRF, GIXRF and their applications in materials and life sciences
- Tomography
