Network meeting Berlin-Brandenburg: Connecting Data, Connecting People
Regional network meeting of NFDI4Objects on 7 November 2024
Review
Successful kick-off event organised by NFDI4Objects to network the FDM communities.
On 7 November 2024, the 1st Berlin-Brandenburg regional meeting of NFDI4Objects took place on the premises of the Cluster of Excellence ‘Matters of Activity’ at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Under the motto ‘Connecting Data, Connecting People’, the event brought together around 40 experts and interested parties from the fields of research data management (RDM), NFDI consortia and science.
There were plenty of NFDI4Objects stickers, writing pads, pens, pencils and cloth bags for all participants to take home. © Tamina Grasme
Employees from various NFDI consortia and RDM state initiatives were represented. Representatives from research networks, non-university research institutions, universities and colleges were also among the participants. The aim of the event was to promote dialogue between regional stakeholders, identify synergies and strengthen the visibility of RDM in the region.
At the beginning of the barcamp, Christin Keller gave an insight into the work of NFDI4Objects. © Gerda Grimm
Innovative format and stimulating exchange
The meeting was organised in an interactive barcamp format. After a welcome by Christin Keller, Managing Director of NFDI4Objects, and the presentation of the programme, the participants were able to determine the topics of the discussion rounds themselves with the help of the interactive tool Mentimeter. The five topics chosen were
- Use of FDM tools and services
- Technical aspects of an FDM infrastructure
- FDM in the curriculum at colleges/universities
- Quality assurance of services
- Networking of regional FDM communities
The topics were discussed in depth in rotating small groups. Each group changed tables after 40 minutes, giving all participants the opportunity to take part in several discussions. The tables were moderated by Fabian Fricke, Anja Gerber, Tamina Grasme, Christin Keller and Heike Messemer.
The five topics were discussed in rotating small groups at different tables. Anja Gerber led the Technical Aspects table. © Gerda Grimm
The lunch break offered additional space for informal discussions and networking with savoury and sweet snacks. The results of the discussions were presented at the end of the meeting by the moderators of the barcamp tables. A summary of the most important points can be found below.
Healthy, savoury and sweet snacks were served during the lunch break. © Gerda Grimm
Highlights and results
The regional meeting highlighted the relevance and diversity of RDM topics. The discussions produced a number of key findings:
- FDM tools and services: The need for a central platform to provide an overview of available tools and services was emphasised. The long-term funding of these tools also remains a key challenge.
- Technical aspects: Persistent identifiers for the unique and permanent referencing of research data and the standardisation of metadata formats were identified as key issues to ensure the traceability and reusability of research data. This includes, for example, the so-called minimum data set to ensure data quality, but also regulations on how to deal with uncertainties and gaps in the data.
- RDM in the curriculum: The integration of RDM into study curricula has been recognised as a decisive step towards reducing barriers to the use and publication of research data.
- Quality assurance: The development of clear quality standards and sustainable services requires continued attention and co-operation.
- Networking: The desire for regular meetings and a regional RDM round table was clearly articulated. A stronger connection between regional players could increase the efficiency and visibility of RDM services.
The five different topics were discussed intensively in small groups at the themed tables. © Gerda Grimm
Together into the future
The 1st regional meeting was a complete success and showed that personal dialogue and a focus on regional issues can make a decisive contribution to the further development of the FDM.
Christin Keller concluded with a positive summary and gave an outlook on the next steps: Further events are planned for 2025 to continue the dialogue and intensify cooperation in the region. You can find a detailed report on the event on Zenodo.
In the afternoon, the results of the BarCamp were summarised once again and presented by the chairs, in this case Fabian Fricke. © Tamina Grasme
We would like to thank all organisers and participants for the successful event and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration in Berlin-Brandenburg and beyond!
Announcement
NFDI4Objects aims to bring together all stakeholders in the field of research data management related to archaeological and object-based data in the Berlin-Brandenburg region in order to promote exchange between the initiatives.
As a multidisciplinary consortium, it is important for us to meet regularly with the members of other consortia such as NFDI4Earth, FAIRagro, NFDI4BioDiversity, MaRDI and the three other humanities consortia Text+, NFDI4Memory and NFDI4Culture, but also to seek exchange with local research data management centres, data competence centres and graduate schools to promote young researchers.
Under the motto ‘Connecting Data, Connecting People’, a first network meeting is planned as a kick-off in Berlin-Mitte on 7 November 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. We would like to invite all interested parties to attend!
The aim of the first networking meeting is to introduce the projects and initiatives to each other. Furthermore, we would like to take the time to discuss various specific topics and explore common fields of action.
Suggestions for such topics are
- Organisation of the helpdesks as a network of specialists
- Quality assurance of (NFDI) services
- Development of (joint) research data management training courses
- Research data management in the curriculum of Berlin universities and colleges
- Approaches to the development of knowledge graphs
- Further development of a regional communication concept: e.g. planning a series of events on research data management for object-related data in Berlin-Brandenburg
Further suggestions for topics can be sent to Anja Gerber (anja.gerber@klassik-stiftung.de) and Christin Keller (christin.keller@dainst.de). These will be collected and integrated into the programme where possible.
Programme
| 10:00 am | Welcome and introduction |
| 10:10 am | Ice Breaker |
| 10:30 am | Presentation of the Barcamp topics, prioritisation, formation of the working groups |
| 10:45 am | Work in the small groups, part 1 |
| 12:45 pm | Lunch break |
| 01:30 pm | Work in the small groups, part 2 |
| 03:30 pm | Summary and conclusion |
| 04:30 pm | Tour of the showroom with objects made from active materials |
Afterwards: Dinner together on a self-pay basis (optional)
Location
The event will thankfully take place at the Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Cluster of Excellence “Matters of Activity”, Sophienstraße 22a (gate entrance), 2nd rear courtyard on the right, 2nd floor on the right, 10178 Berlin
Arrival
The network meeting is easy to reach by public transport.
- S-Bahn: Hackescher Markt station
- Regionalbahn: Alexanderplatz station
- Tram: M1 Weinmeisterstraße/Gipsstraße
- U-Bahn: U8 Weinmeisterstraße station.
There is also a limited number of bicycle parking spaces in the 2nd backyard.
Registration
If you are interested in participating, please register via our tool here.
Registration is possible until 04.11.24. Participation is free of charge.
Mailing list
You are also welcome to subscribe to our mailing list.
We look forward to your participation!