CERN’s Zenodo: Open Repository for Research Data
In the field of open science, platforms like Zenodo have become essential tools for researchers aiming to preserve and share their work beyond traditional institutional confines. First launched by CERN in 2013 and relaunched in 2015, Zenodo functions as a free, open repository accommodating datasets, publications, and other research outputs from various fields. It supports uploads up to 50 GB per file, assigns Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for citability, and integrates seamlessly with tools like GitHub.
This versatility is particularly evident in specialized datasets hosted on the platform, such as those mapping land cover changes over decades. For instance, a comprehensive dataset detailing annual land cover in China from 1985 to 2022 leverages over 335,000 Landsat images processed via Google Earth Engine, offering high-resolution insights into environmental shifts.
Backed by CERN, the platform provides robust infrastructure originally designed for high-energy physics, now extended to multidisciplinary use. Zenodo acts as a repository for EU-funded research, emphasizing open access principles.
Industry insiders value Zenodo's role in the scholarly communication ecosystem. It integrates with services like the Scientific Knowledge Graph and supports metrics from Altmetric, enhancing visibility and impact tracking. A profile on re3data.org highlights Zenodo's capability to share small-scale results across formats, ensuring citability through DOIs.
Technical Innovations and Challenges
Zenodo utilizes the Invenio framework, a free software for digital repositories, customized for its operations. This setup allows efficient handling of large datasets while maintaining low barriers to entry. However, reliance on CERN's computing cluster means occasional downtimes, reflecting the balance between scalability and reliability.
For EU projects and independent researchers, Zenodo fills a vital gap by supporting compliance with open data mandates. An overview from OpenAIRE positions it as a universal repository integrated into the European Open Science Cloud, promoting fair data practices.
Future Directions in Data Preservation
Looking ahead, Zenodo's model could inspire similar repositories worldwide. Its emphasis on software citation encourages preservation of code alongside data, fostering innovation in fields like environmental science. Zenodo represents a resilient pillar of open science, bridging gaps between raw outputs and actionable insights.