The German Data Forum (RatSWD) meets in Berlin and celebrates its 20th anniversary
The German Data Forum (RatSWD) held its 71st meeting at the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) on 14 and 15 November. Important topics such as the future of the Research Data Act, the accreditation of research data centres (RDCs) and current updates from the various working groups were on the agenda.
The German Data Forum (RatSWD) held its 71st meeting at the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) on 14 and 15 November. Important topics such as the future of the Research Data Act, the accreditation of research data centres (RDCs) and current updates from the various working groups were on the agenda.
A special highlight was the celebration event to mark the 20th anniversary of the RatSWD, which took place on the evening of 14 November. Prof Dr Kerstin Schneider, Deputy Chair of the RatSWD, welcomed the guests and opened the festive evening. A video greeting from the President of the WZB, Prof Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, emphasised the importance of data for research.
Prof Regina Riphahn, former Chair of the RatSWD, reviewed 20 years of the RatSWD in her keynote speech, followed by a speech by Peter Greisler from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), who emphasised the importance of improved access to data and paid tribute to the work of the RatSWD. This was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Kerstin Schneider. Regina Riphahn, Prof Lars Bernard and the Chairman of the Education Committee in the Bundestag Kai Gehring (Bündnis 90/ Die Grünen) discussed the topic “The future of data infrastructure: challenges and opportunities for science and evidence-based policy”.
The evening ended with a reception where participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas and engage in further dialogue. The RatSWD looks back on two decades of successful work and will continue to work to strengthen data-based research in Germany in the future.