Source: RDM Team RWTH Aachen University
The next FDM-Werkstatt will take place in Düsseldorf from March 23 to 25, 2026, and will be conducted in English. This hands-on workshop is intended for researchers, data stewards, and others interested in gaining experience in research data management. Attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate, exchange ideas, and familiarize themselves with established tools. RWTH Aachen University is participating this year with several contributions, offering different perspectives from the realms of support, infrastructure, and practice.
Contributions from RWTH Aachen University
The RDM team from RWTH Aachen University will be presenting in several sessions this year, covering various aspects of Research Data Management (RDM).
- Coscine: Catherine Gonzalez will lead a session on using of automated processes in the research data platform.
- Python session: Jonathan Hartman will discuss Python-based RDM workflows in Coscine.
- RDMO: Sabine Schönau will guide participants through working with interoperable DMP catalogs.
- ROOT tools: Lukas Bossert will demonstrate how robust, text-based solutions support sustainable data management.
- Peer-to-peer structures: Katja Jansen and Miriam Petry will discuss the topic of “Promotion of Knowledge Exchange.”
The range of topics includes research data infrastructure, data management planning, and programmatic evaluations. At the same time, the presentation on peer-to-peer structures will address organizational exchange within the community.
Why Practice-Oriented RDM Formats are Indispensable
Research data management encompasses more than just guidelines and storage solutions. In practice, questions often arise about how to integrate tools into existing work processes. This is precisely the area in which the FDM-Werkstatt excels.
Its hands-on approach provides a framework in which uncertainties can be clarified immediately. Problems can be understood together, and solutions can be tried out immediately. For many participants, the FDM-Werkstatt provides a low-threshold opportunity to learn about new methods and apply them to their work.
Exchanging ideas with people from different institutions helps highlight best practices and further develop offerings.
Research data management is not just about guidelines or storage solutions. In practice, the question often arises as to how tools can be integrated into existing work processes. This is exactly where the FDM-Werkstatt comes in.
Its hands-on approach creates a framework in which uncertainties can be clarified directly. Problems can be understood together, and solutions can be tried out immediately. For many participants, the FDM-Werkstatt provides a low-threshold opportunity to learn about new methods and apply them to their work. Exchanging ideas with people from different institutions helps highlight best practices and further develop offerings.
About the FDM-Werkstatt
The FDM-Werkstatt is a community-driven format that deliberately focuses on practical work. Instead of lectures, the emphasis is on interactive sessions in which tools are applied directly. Participants work on their own laptops, test functions, and can bring up specific questions from their everyday work. The event is expressly aimed at different levels of experience. Beginners are given guided access to basic FDM tools, while experienced users have the opportunity to learn about more advanced functions and exchange ideas about tried-and-tested workflows.
In addition to imparting technical knowledge, the exchange of experiences also plays an important role. Many challenges in RDM are encountered across disciplines. The FDM-Werkstatt therefore offers a space to discuss solutions together and learn from each other.
Learn More and Register
The broad participation of RWTH Aachen University shows how deeply RDM is anchored at the university. Infrastructure, consulting, and community work are intertwined and benefit from exchanges with other locations.
Registration for the FDM-Werkstatt is open until February 27, 2026. Further information and the complete program can be found at fdm.nrw. We look forward to your participation. If you have any questions about the FDM-Werkstatt or RDM topics in general, the RDM team at RWTH Aachen University is always happy to help. We look forward to hearing from you!
Responsible for the content of this article is Hania Eid.
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