Building Research Communities through Communication: The Case of FOSSR

In the age of Open Science, research communication within Open Research Infrastructures (RIs) should evolve beyond traditional dissemination models. Rather than merely transferring knowledge, communication should serve as an enabling mechanism for community-building, ensuring long-term engagement with research outputs. Open Science RIs depend on active and engaged communities to achieve their mission of collecting, curating, and sharing research data. Without sustained interaction between researchers, policymakers, stakeholder groups, and the public, infrastructures risk becoming static repositories rather than dynamic spaces for knowledge exchange. This paper explores how research infrastructures can foster collaborative, participatory, and sustainable Open Science. We present the conceptual design and mid-term results of the communication strategy developed for the NRRP-funded FOSSR (Fostering Open Science in Social Science Research) Research Infrastructure, showing how communication can be reframed as an infrastructural function rather than an auxiliary activity. By examining FOSSR’s communication strategy, this paper contributes to ongoing discussions about the evolving role of communication in Open Science research infrastructures. It argues that research infrastructure communication must move beyond knowledge transfer to actively shaping collaborative research environments. This shift is critical for ensuring the sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term impact of Open Science initiatives.