Source: Own illustration; Freepik
In this report, we look back on the last Meeting of the RDM Network on March 19, 2025: Learn more about the RDM network, its vision and the future development of the RDM network meetings at RWTH Aachen University. We also share the highlights of our Data Stewards and network members that they experienced during the E-Science Days 2025 in Heidelberg.
Background: The RDM Network
The RDM network at RWTH Aachen University brings together various stakeholders, including the central RDM team, data stewards, RDM-active researchers from various departments, and those interested in RDM. Our vision is to create a reliable platform for networking, mutual support, and the continuous development of research data management at RWTH.
Through an active community based on a balanced relationship of give and take, we want to use synergies and drive change processes while at the same time efficiently organizing the individual workload of each person.
Various measures have been implemented over time to build and maintain the network. These include a mailing list, monthly RDM network meetings, regular Data Steward Jour Fixes, one-on-one meetings between the Data Stewards Coordinator and individual Data Stewards and an exchange platform – initially on Microsoft SharePoint and later on the intranet. At times, a Microsoft Teams chat was also available for quick, informal exchanges.
As already announced in the last report, after five years of the network’s existence and the change in data steward coordination, it was time to evaluate the various measures and optimize them based on current needs.
To this end, personal interviews were conducted with all data stewards between December 2024 and February 2025. Feedback from all network members was collected at the Meeting of the RDM Network in mid-January and supplemented by an online survey. The results were evaluated and the resulting actions were presented at the network meeting on March 19, 2025.
Development and Reorganization of the RDM Network
Based on the evaluation of the network activities, some measures will be adapted to better meet the needs and suggestions of the network members.
A key point is to updatethe meeting structure to reduce the time required, especially for the data stewards. In addition, the previous distinction between data stewards and other network members will be abandoned in favor of a new categorization: in the future, the only distinction will be between active and passive members. Active members are involved in knowledge transfer and thus actively contribute to the further development of RDM at RWTH, while passive members are primarily interested in information, which is also accepted and perfectly acceptable.
Starting in April 2025, the monthly Data Steward Jour Fixes and the traditional Meetings of the RDM Network will be combined into a single format that combines the strengths of both events. As part of this adjustment, the date will also change: the network meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. In total, about 10 meetings are planned per year, structured as follows and offering a mix of different formats:
- 6 Topic Specials (online, 90 min.): These sessions are dedicated to a focus topic, exploring it from a variety of perspectives. Presentations, the popular Science(Speed)Dating, and other interactive elements encourage sharing and discussion.
- 4 Practice Specials (online or in-person) for active network members only: The focus here is on current RDM tasks and mutual support. The online meetings also last 90 minutes, while the face-to-face meetings offer additional time for networking, for example during a joint lunch break.
Another new feature is the expansion of our project space on the intranet into a central information platform for all members of the RDM network. It will provide extended information about RDM at RWTH, including an overview of all active network members and their RDM tasks in ongoing projects, as well as additional content such as relevant RDM dates, suggestions for topics for network meetings, and the opportunity to submit further suggestions. This development will centralize knowledge, strengthen networking within the network and further improve transparency.
The DataStewards@RWTH mailing list will continue to serve as a central information channel. We encourage all RWD-active members at RWTH to subscribe to the list to stay informed about current developments and important dates. In addition, a Webex channel will be set up to allow for quick and informal communication within the network. This new means of exchange is intended to facilitate direct dialog and spontaneous networking.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all survey participants and interview partners for their valuable feedback and hope that the upcoming changes will lead to an even more efficient exchange within the RDM network.
Highlights of the E-Science Days
In the second part of the network meeting, the data stewards and network members presented their personal highlights of the E-Science Days and thus reflected on the event together. In particular, the active participation of the RDM team and the RDM active members of RWTH in the E-Science Days 2025 was discussed.
The team was able to gain many exciting insights:
- Susanna Weber’s keynote on the importance of data stewardship and investment in data quality provided insights and inspiration for a functioning data stewards network. The presentation is now also available as a video.
- The role of data stewards was emphasized in many other presentations and was seen as central to the sustainable management of research data.
- The networking session focused on issues such as storage provisioning and scientific procurement procedures, particularly in the context of a concept presented for optimized resource allocation.
- A workshop on creating interoperable RDMO catalogs using the NFDI DMP Template Framework received much positive feedback and input for further development.
- The challenges and opportunities of a service directory for the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) were discussed, with a special focus on the needs of Fachhochschulen and their access to relevant services.
- A presentation on the management of FAIR microscopy data at the institutional level included a hands-on demo and an introduction to a special file format for efficient handling of large image stacks.
Questions?
Do you have any questions about the RDM Network or the Meeting of the RDM Network? Please contact the RDM team, we look forward to hearing from you.
Responsible for the content of this article are Lina-Louise Kaulbach, Ute Trautwein-Bruns and Arlinda Ujkani.
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