Open, transform, and govern: towards a situated and equitable Open Science in Chile

Abstract

Open Science is promoted as a pathway to democratize knowledge, but its adoption in Latin America—and particularly in Chile—faces structural obstacles, institutional misalignments, and technical constraints that hinder its transformative implementation. We recognize that various actors have contributed to the advancement of Open Science in the region; however, it is necessary to identify the structural issues that still require coordinated attention clearly. In this essay, focused on the Chilean case, we propose a critical reading of five interconnected challenges: the persistence of reductionist metrics; the disconnection between openness requirements and institutional structures; the absence of a coherent national policy; the material gaps that prevent real equity; and the risks of adopting technologies without sovereignty or contextual adequacy. We argue that equity, traceability, and ethical governance do not emerge automatically—they must be constructed as deliberate practices, institutionally sustained through technical, political, and ethical frameworks. In response to the normative instrumentalization of openness, we propose a form of Open Science that is situated, distributed, and sustained—one that articulates epistemic justice, participatory governance, and institutional transformation.