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Digital Competence Centre
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Digital Competence Centre

FAIR data without borders: A new era of interoperable research data

When:Tu 20-10-2026 12:30 - 17:00Where:House of Connections, Grote Markt 21, 9712 HR Groningen
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Have you ever struggled to combine datasets or collaborate with scientists from different disciplines due to varying vocabularies and ontologies? As research datasets become more complex and diverse, interoperability is essential for communication across disciplines, enabling integration and new discoveries. 

On October 20, 2026, researchers across disciplines, data professionals, and support staff are invited to the first event at the University of Groningen (UG) that explores how interoperability can transform research by breaking down barriers between disciplines and systems, creating new opportunities for research collaboration and discovery.

This initiative aligns with the Dutch Interoperability Network, a nationwide effort to advance interoperability in research. The UG DCC, UMCG DCC, and OSCG bring you this event in collaboration to connect with national efforts, build local momentum, and support UG and UMCG researchers in making their data findable, understandable, and reusable. 

If you are passionate about connecting disciplines and enabling more impactful and interesting research, we invite you to join us!

Provisional programme

12:30 - 12:50
Walk in with coffee and tea
12:50 - 13:00
Welcome session
13:00 - 13:30
Introduction to interoperability in the research context
  • Ari Asmi, expert in research data interoperability at the Centre for Digital Scholarship, Leiden University
13:30 - 13:40
Short break
13:40 - 14:55
Parallel workshops:
  • Exploring interoperability through a LEGO challenge
    • Alex Brandsen, Interoperability Project Lead at TDCC-SSH

  • Working with ontologies
    • Kathrin Füllenbach & Dani Metilli, ontology engineers at TDCC-NES

  • Interoperability in Life Sciences and Health
    • Walter Baccinelli & Vedran Kasalica, interoperability experts at TDCC-LSH
14:55 - 15:15
Break with coffee/tea and cookies
15:15 - 15:40
Interoperability in research infrastructure
15:40 - 16:25
Panel discussion
16:25 - 16:30
Closing session
16:30 - 17:00
Drinks, snacks and networking

This event seeks to bring together researchers, data professionals, and support staff to explore common challenges related to data integration, standards, vocabularies, and ontologies across disciplines. By connecting local expertise with national interoperability efforts, the initiative aims to foster collaboration, identify community needs, and build momentum toward more findable, understandable, and reusable research data. Ultimately, the event serves as a starting point for developing a shared vision and practical pathways toward greater interoperability within the University of Groningen and UMCG research communities.

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