Kategorie: ‘From the practice’
From the Chemistry Lab to the ELN – Follow-up Report of the RDM Network Lab Visit
Source: Own illustration
What does research data management look like where research data are actually generated? On August 20, 2026, the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry opened its laboratories to the RDM Network and provided insights into research data management in practice. The focus was on Electronic Lab Notebooks (so called ELNs), and how they can be integrated into workflows in chemical research.
NFDI4ING Summer School Aachen – Driving RDM
Source: NFDI4ING
How can engineering data be collected in a structured manner, documented in a traceable way, analyzed, and used sustainably? Participants from various engineering disciplines addressed these and other questions at the joint “Driving RDM” Summer School organized by NFDI4ING, the DKZ.2R, and the Research Data Management Department at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) in Aachen. Participants from Jülich and Clausthal were also in attendance.
The event combined theoretical fundamentals with hands-on labs. This allowed participants not only to familiarize themselves with the content but also to apply it directly to a specific use case.
ELN@RWTH: Digitizing Research Documentation
Source: Own Illustration
Experiment logs, measurement data, analyses, and notes are part of everyday research life. However, this information is often stored in various locations: in lab notebooks, on network drives, in email attachments, or on personal computers. This can make it difficult to retrieve data, trace workflows, or share information with colleagues.
Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) offer a digital solution to this problem. They enable structured documentation of research processes and help researchers make their work traceable, efficient, and accessible over the long term.
FDM Network Meeting May 2026: Practice Special
Source: Own Illustration
At the FDM network meeting on May 28, 2026, data stewards and other individuals involved in FDM gathered for a practical workshop to discuss the latest developments in research data management (FDM) within their respective projects in a face-to-face setting.
NFDI-MatWerk/FAIRmat Spring School 2026 in Erlangen
Source: Dr. Ahmed Esam Ahmed Mansour
From April 13 to 16, 2026, the NFDI-MatWerk/FAIRmat Spring School 2026 took place at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) on the topic of “Research Data Management in Materials Science and Engineering.” A total of 17 participants, including advanced master’s students, doctoral candidates, postdocs, and early-career researchers, came together to engage intensively with FAIR research data practices and practical tools for everyday research.
RDM Network Meeting in April 2026: RDMO in Practice
Source: Own Illustration
The RDM Network Meeting on April 23, 2026, focused on the creation, organization, and use of data management plans (DMPs) in collaborative projects using the Research Data Management Organizer (RDMO).
The RDM Network Meeting is a monthly forum for data management officers, practitioners, and interested parties. It combines thematic presentations with open discussion on current practical issues and provides a space for networking and discussion.
Coscine Support Summit 2026 For Efficient Support Workflows
Source: Own Illustration
On April 22, 2026, the Coscine Support Summit took place at the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University. Around 15 participants from seven different universities came together to engage in an in-depth exchange on key support processes and to collaborate on their further development. The focus was particularly on the application for and review of storage resources.
FDM-Werkstatt 2026 – Contributions from RWTH
Source: Own Illustration
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.
Get Ready to Use LaTeX in the RWTH Design!
Source: Own Illustration
There’s good news for everyone who works with LaTeX: official RWTH LaTeX templates are now available! They make it easier and more convenient for LaTeX users to create letters, posters, and presentations and other documents with the uniform corporate design of RWTH Aachen University.
Marei Peischl (peiTeX) and Dr. Lukas C. Bossert, a member of the RDM team at RWTH Aachen University, developed the templates in close cooperation with the Marketing Department. They have been officially approved. The templates provide a solid foundation, save valuable formatting time, and ensure compliance with RWTH’s formal requirements.
RDM Training Program – Courses in the First Half of 2026
Source: Own Illustration
In the first half of 2026, the RDM team at RWTH Aachen University will once again be offering a comprehensive training program on research data management (RDM). The program is aimed at researchers, data stewards, and anyone else who is involved in the structured handling of research data or would like to deepen their knowledge in this area.
