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New white paper paves the way for better research data management in chemistry

Across the chemistry discipline, a lot of valuable research data remains unavailable or unused. This is due to fragmented data management practices rooted in technical and cultural barriers. To tackle this challenge, experts from the Netherlands and Germany joined forces. This led to a white paper with strategies to improve research data management in chemistry.

Download the white paper

The basis for the white paper was laid during the FAIR4ChemNL workshop. This workshop brought together researchers and data and ICT experts from the Netherlands and Germany to explore ways to handle data more effectively, from collection to reuse.

Four routes to better data management

The white paper describes four focal points within international cooperation that can make a difference:

  • Alignment of (meta)data standards and infrastructures so that data from different sources can be better combined.
  • Development of a shared vocabulary (ontologies) to unambiguously organise and interpret data.
  • Stimulate knowledge exchange, e.g. through trainings and events across national borders.
  • Co-creation of training courses to foster cultural change.

The aim of this approach is to bring about a culture change within the chemistry community and contribute to faster, smarter and more sustainable innovations.

Supporting data-driven chemistry

The FAIR4ChemNL workshop was organised by the Dutch Thematic Digital Competence Centre for Natural and Technical Sciences (TDCC-NES), in collaboration with the NWO Fundamentals & Methods of Chemistry community (FMC) and the German National Research Data Infrastructure for Catalysis-Related Sciences (NFDI4Cat). Here it became clear that international knowledge sharing is key to enhance the adoption of research data management practices across the chemistry community.

SURF were also involved in the workshop. We see in this collaboration a unique opportunity to better support data needs in chemistry research and to work closely with international initiatives in this respect. Our goal is to utilise the potential of data-driven chemistry.

More information and collaboration

Want to know more about the white paper or collaborate with us on a chemistry or materials science initiative? Then contact Irene Bonati, Research Partnership Lead at SURF.

Download the white paper
Enhancing Research Data Management in Chemistry: A Collaborative Approach for Catalyzing Innovation in Germany and the Netherlands