Source: RDM Team RWTH Aachen University
On the occasion of Research Data Day in North Rhine-Westphalia (TdF) on November 18, 2025, we would like to give you a preview of our “RDM Practice” and “RDM Services” arenas. These are worth venturing into on the action day for research data management (RDM). This article provides an overview of the poster contribution on ELN@RWTH. Take part in TdF, engage in dialogue with the contributors, and look forward to networking opportunities with other RDM members!
A Brief Introduction to the Initiative
Every laboratory relies on research documentation, but the transition from handwritten notes to digital solutions can be more challenging than expected. This is precisely where ELN@RWTH comes in. This central service from RWTH Aachen University helps researchers and teachers create structured, searchable, and FAIR documentation of their work.
ELN@RWTH is a service provided centrally based on the open-source software eLabFTW. This platform enables research data to be digitally recorded, structured, and searched. ELN@RWTH is open to all disciplines and available to researchers and teachers at RWTH Aachen University.
In addition to providing technical support, the service team assists users with training, individual consultations, and fostering a growing community. These resources create a vibrant network that promotes the exchange of experiences and highlights best practices in research data management.
Contribution to Research Data Day
On November 18, 2025, interested parties will have the opportunity to experience the service firsthand. At the poster presentation titled “ELN@RWTH: A Central Service for Electronic Lab Notebooks,” Nicole A. Parks will demonstrate how eLabFTW is used at RWTH and explain the advantages it offers research groups.
The ELN@RWTH service manager will guide you through the interface in a live demo, explain the most important functions, and provide insights into technical interfaces such as the REST API. This allows eLabFTW to be flexibly integrated into existing workflows.
Participants in TdF 2025 will also have the opportunity to try out eLabFTW and receive advice on how to use the electronic lab notebook in their own research or teaching. You can ask questions and learn how to easily start using it.
Reference to the Motto FAIR Data – FAIR Play: Just a Matter of Line-Up
The motto “FAIR Data – FAIR Play: Just a Matter of Line-Up” aptly describes what ELN@RWTH does.
This motto aptly describes what ELN@RWTH does. An electronic lab notebook (ELN) like eLabFTW ensures that research data remains traceable, findable, and reusable. It brings order to daily documentation while creating the basis for open and collaborative research.
RWTH combines structure and flexibility, openness and security. Through the use of open-source software and the development of a dedicated user community, the service helps embed FAIR principles into everyday research. The result is a collaborative effort involving data, tools, and people that brings FAIR Play to life.
More Information
Visit the IT Center at RWTH Aachen University on November 18, 2025, to learn more about ELN@RWTH. The team looks forward to answering your questions and hearing your suggestions on digital laboratory work and FAIR data management.
Further information and links to afternoon events at other North Rhine-Westphalian locations can be found on the fdm.nrw events page.
If you have any questions about Research Data Day in North Rhine-Westphalia, please contact the organizing team. We look forward to hearing from you!
Responsible for the content of this article are Hania Eid, Lina-Louise Kaulbach and Nicole Parks.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.