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Research data is part of every project, from the initial ideas to the publication of the results. But how can data be effectively organized, properly documented, securely stored, and quickly retrieved in everyday research? On November 10, 2026, Research Data Day (TdF) in North Rhine-Westphalia will be held under the motto “Set off on Your Journey – Pleasant Travels with your Data” and will offer the opportunity to explore precisely these questions.
RWTH Aachen University will once again be participating. Together with Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Rhine-Ruhr Center for Scientific Data Literacy (DKZ.2R), it invites researchers to discover practical tools, helpful resources, and relevant contacts for their own research journey and to put together their own personal RDM Travel Kit.
Kicking off Together With the Online Morning Program
The morning will begin with a cross-university online program aimed primarily at researchers who are not yet actively using RDM. A keynote presentation will use an example from the humanities to demonstrate the concrete added value that RDM can offer to research. Subsequent interviews will focus on how to establish RDM structures within one’s own department and how the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) supports researchers on their data journey.
The Afternoon at SuperC: Your RDM Travel Kit
Check-in begins at 12pm at SuperC in Aachen. Over light refreshments in the Boarding Lounge, attendees will have the opportunity to make initial connections and exchange experiences related to research data.
From 1 to 5pm, researchers will have the chance to get to know their RDM crew as well as practical tools and resources available at RWTH and the FZJ. The Travel Center forms the core of the event. At interactive themed stations, researchers can gather information, try out RDM tools in person, receive personalized advice, and share experiences with colleagues.
To wrap up the event, a research journey report will provide insights into the challenges and considerations involved in producing a useful data publication. This also addresses the question of how the experiences gained can contribute to better research data management and streamline work in future projects.
Ask Questions, Share Experiences, Learn About Resources
The afternoon program is open to all researchers, regardless of their level of experience with research data management. Those looking to get started and simply seeking information are just as welcome as those who already have specific ideas or questions about handling their research data in their day-to-day work.
In addition to information, ideas, and practical tips, participants can experience live demonstrations, discuss individual questions with data stewards, the RDM team, and researchers experienced in RDM, and take home helpful materials for their own daily research work. This allows you to customize your own personal RDM Travel Kit.
Registration and Further Information
Participation in Research Data Day in NRW is free of charge. For organizational reasons, we ask that you register in advance. Registration is handled through the RWTH event database.
Zoom registration is also required for the central morning program.
Further information about the program at RWTH can be found on the event page.
An overview of the morning program and the offerings at the other locations is available on the fdm.nrw website.
If you have any questions about Research Data Day in NRW or about RDM in general, the RDM team will be happy to assist you.
Responsible for the content of this article are Hedda Faber and Arlinda Ujkani.
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