Connecting the Opens (V): Policies and incentives shaping openness in Higher Education

This item is the fifth in a series exploring how university leaders across Europe are connecting open science and open education. Based on interviews conducted by SPARC Europe, the series aims to inspire more leaders to connect the opens and support institutions in addressing complex challenges through an integrated open knowledge framework. This item explores how evolving policy approaches and incentive structures are helping institutions connect open science and open education within integrated open knowledge frameworks. It highlights emerging strategies for developing context-aware policies, aligning institutional and international frameworks, and creating supportive environments that encourage the creation, sharing, and reuse of knowledge. The item also examines how incentives, recognition systems, and cultural change can foster greater engagement with open practices among researchers, educators and institutions, contributing to more accessible, equitable, and impactful higher education systems.