Open Science in Theory and Practice

The article offers a critical examination of open science as a central pillar of contemporary global and European science policy. While openness is widely promoted as a means to enhance trust, equity, and social responsibility in science, the article argues that these benefits are not automatic. Drawing on policy frameworks such as UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendation on Open Science and empirical insights from the Horizon Europe OPUS project, it explores how institutional practices, research assessment systems, and trust dynamics within scientific communities can undermine the aims of openness. By analysing whether open science increases trust, social responsiveness, political independence, and equality, the article highlights the persistent gap between the normative ideals of open science and the realities of its implementation. This article is published in IE Perspectives, Issue 1 (January 2026). Full issue available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18376222