The economic logic of open science in fusion energy research: A policy perspective

This policy perspective explains the economic logic of open science in fusion energy research (FER) via application of the Mertonian norms of communalism, universalism, disinterestedness, originality, and skepticism. FER is transitioning between science and technology and so provides a fitting example of the productive balance between the community of scientists, who generally favor full disclosure of their results, and that of technologists, who typically favor secrecy or exclusive possession, as the New Economics of Science (NES) explains. For scientists, the publicly funded International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project is an example of the benefits of open science because all its intellectual property is equally shared by its members. For technologists, the next Demonstration (DEMO) phase, is being characterized by an influx of private funding and by a shift from open science to proprietary technologies, which can negatively impact future research due to exclusive possession. The evidence provides support to continuing with a systematic approach to international environmental technology policy that favors managed co-opetition via open science because this can provide greater economic and social utility to both communities of scientists and of technologists. •The recent fusion net energy breakthrough is expected to boost private investment.•Technology policy must balance publicly and privately funded fusion projects.•Open science fosters cooperation between public and private fusion research bodies.•Managed co-opetition via open science and innovation can accelerate fusion research.•A systemic approach addresses institutional failures in climate and energy policies.