NFDIxCS Soirees

How can data literacy be sustainably embedded in research, and what role do regional data competence centers and the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) play in achieving this goal? These questions were discussed at the 11th NFDIxCS Soiree on 22nd of June 2026. The event featured Vivien Petras from Berlin-Brandenburg-based data competence center QUADRIGA, and Alicia Janz, of the data competence center DKZ.2R in Rhine-Ruhr Region. The talk was moderated by Mpho Mathelemuse.

In their presentations, both speakers introduced the different approaches taken by their respective centers and demonstrated how regional data competence centers and the NFDI can complement one another.

Alicia Janz presented the DKZ.2R, the „Rhine-Ruhr Center for Scientific Data Literacy“ , one of eleven data competence centers across Germany funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space since 2023. The project's primary objective is to strengthen data literacy among early-career researchers and to foster a sustainable cultural change in the use of research data. To achieve this, the center combines training opportunities like workshops, networking activities like meet-ups and hackathons, and individual consultation, for example with ist "Rent-an-Expert" programme, which provides researchers with tailored, longer-term support for their data-related challenges.

A defining characteristic of the DKZ.2R, is its close personal engagement with researchers in the Rhine-Ruhr region. The area's exceptionally high density of higher education institutions creates unique opportunities for networking and interdisciplinary collaboration. At the same time, the center works closely with numerous NFDI consortia, including NFDIxCS, NFDIMatWerk, NFDI4Microbiota, NFDI4Objects, and NFDI4Ing, as well as other data competence centers to jointly develop training programmes and events.

Afterwards, Vivien Petras introduced QUADRIGA, the Berlin-Brandenburg Data Competence Center. In contrast to DKZ.2R, QUADRIGA follows a more discipline-oriented approach, developing educational resources for the fields of Digital Humanities, Public Administration, Computer Science, and Information Science. A key component of QUADRIGA is the development of practice-oriented Open Education Resources based on case studies and interactive Jupyter Books which are digital textbooks that combine theoretical content with hands-on exercises. These resources enable researchers to build data literacy skills throughout the entire research data lifecycle. The QUADRIGA Navigator further illustrates which competencies are required at each stage of a data-driven research project and promotes a reflective, open, and sustainable approach to data literacy.

The following discussion highlighted that sustainable research data management requires technical infrastructures and competence development to go hand in hand. Another key topic was the long-term sustainability of data literacy initiatives. It was emphasized that building trust and maintaining close collaboration with researchers depends on permanent, well-funded support structures. Long-term political commitment will be essential to ensure that data literacy initiatives can continue beyond the lifetime of individual projects.

The discussion underscored that sustainable research data management depends on more than technical infrastructure alone. Long-term investment in data literacy, training opportunities, and trusted support structures will be essential sustain personal connections to  researchers and therefore enable them to adopt sustainable data practices and work with FAIR data.