OpenDoors to Research: What the TOSI Trainee Council Has Planned
From October 27 to November 6, the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) Trainee Council is opening lab doors at McGill for a series of guided tours. These sessions, branded as OpenDoors, give students a firsthand look at how modern researchers design experiments, collect data, and interpret results in real time. Whether you’re a prospective science major, a graduate student exploring career options, or simply curious about how discovery happens, these tours offer a rare glimpse into the day-to-day life of research laboratories.
Why OpenDoors to Research Matters
Open science is more than a buzzword for the TOSI community. It’s a practical framework that prioritizes transparency, collaboration, and reproducibility. The OpenDoors initiative invites students to see the workflow behind major discoveries and to understand how scientific questions move from hypothesis to evidence. By demystifying the lab, TOSI hopes to inspire the next generation of researchers to engage with science as a collaborative, iterative process.
What to Expect on a Tour
Participants will be guided through a selected slate of McGill labs, where researchers demonstrate key activities such as experimental setup, data collection, and preliminary data analysis. Each stop will include brief explanations of the project’s goals, the methods being used, and the potential real-world impact. Knowledgeable student ambassadors from the TOSI Trainee Council will accompany visitors, answering questions about careers in research, ethics in science, and the day-to-day realities of laboratory work.
Who Should Attend
These tours are designed for learners at multiple stages of their academic journey. High school students considering a STEM path, undergraduates weighing future research opportunities, and graduate students seeking exposure to other fields will all find value in the sessions. The program emphasizes inclusivity and provides accessible explanations for audiences with varied science backgrounds.
How the Tours Align with McGill’s Research Mission
McGill University is a pioneer in interdisciplinary research, combining biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, and data science to tackle complex questions. The TOSI Trainee Council’s lab tours reinforce this cross-disciplinary spirit by highlighting how different departments approach common themes like data integrity, reproducibility, and open access. Attendees will gain an appreciation for the collaborative nature of modern science and the role of open science in accelerating discovery.
Logistics and How to Register
Details about tour times and locations will be provided by McGill and TOSI organizers as the event dates approach. Spots may be limited, so prospective attendees should register early. Each tour typically lasts about 60 to 90 minutes and includes time for Q&A at the end. Safety guidelines will be observed, and participants are encouraged to wear comfortable footwear and bring notebooks or devices for note-taking.
Beyond the Tour: Engaging with TOSI and Open Science
Participating in OpenDoors is more than a one-off experience. It’s an entry point into a broader culture of openness and collaboration fostered by the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. For students inspired by what they see, there will be pathways to join future TOSI programs, internships, or mentorship opportunities that emphasize hands-on learning, data sharing, and transparent research practices.
What Attendees Say
Past participants have described the tours as eye-opening, noting that the real-world context of experiments helps bridge classroom theory and practical application. The appeal of observing researchers discuss challenges, troubleshoot techniques, and openly discuss results resonates with students who value curiosity, rigor, and ethical scientific conduct.
Take the Next Step
If you’re eager to witness science in action and to learn how researchers at McGill navigate the complexities of discovery, mark your calendar for late October and early November. Check the official TOSI and McGill pages for registration details, tour dates, and any prerequisites. The OpenDoors initiative promises an engaging, informative experience that can shape your understanding of what modern research looks like from the inside.
