New video series: What is metascience, and why does it matter?

James Wilsdon (RoRI Director and Professor of Research Policy at UCL STEaPP) and Helen Buckley Woods (Senior Research Fellow at RoRI) introduce the core ideas behind metascience.

They explain how metascience brings together researchers, funders, policymakers, publishers and infrastructure providers to apply rigorous evidence to questions such as how research is funded, evaluated, communicated and organised. While the term has gained prominence over the past decade, they emphasise that metascience has deep roots across multiple disciplines and communities, and should be understood as a broad, plural and reform-oriented endeavour rather than a single new discipline.

The discussion also highlights the rapid growth of interest in metascience globally, including the emergence of dedicated policy initiatives and the expanding international community reflected in recent conferences and collaborations.

James Wilsdon is joined by Ludo Waltman, RoRI Co-Chair and Professor of Quantitative Science Studies at Leiden University.

They explore the close relationship between metascience and open science. Ludo argues that successful metascience depends on open science in several ways: from greater access to research data and information about how the research system operates, to deeper engagement with the many actors who shape research policy and practice.

The conversation also looks ahead, considering how open science and metascience may increasingly converge as policymakers seek stronger evidence to navigate challenges such as AI, geopolitics, trust in science and research integrity.

The third video focuses on the growing role of AI in metascience, with Helen Buckley Woods joined by Youyou Wu, a RoRI Research Fellow trained in psychology who now works in metascience.

They discuss how advances in AI, particularly large language models, are transforming the analysis of text-based data such as grant proposals, publications and peer review reports. At the same time, the conversation highlights the importance of responsible and reflective use of AI, building on RoRI’s work with research funders on the governance of AI and algorithmic decision-making.