RDNL Community Platform Event - 9 March 2026

With support from Open Science NL, RDNL is developing a national training and community platform for data professionals. Building on existing RDNL training activities, the platform is co-created with the community and focuses on skills and capacity development, national and international collaboration, and sustainable governance and recognition. As part of this work, we will be hosting another community event.

The platform brings together data professionals to contribute to this work through short talks, interactive sessions, and workshops. The outcomes will inform the further development and implementation of the national platform. 

Details

• Date: Monday 9 March 2026
• Time: 10.00 – 16.00 (lunch included) 
• Location: Congresgebouw De Vereeniging (Mariaplaats 14, 3511 LJ, Utrecht). The venue is located less than 500 metres away from Utrecht Centraal.

Registration

We warmly invite you to register as soon as possible via the link below to secure your spot. Participation is free of charge.

Agenda

10.00 - 10.30
Registration with coffee and tea

10.30 - 11.00
Welcome and getting to know each other

11.00 - 11.45 
Plenary session: Building sustainable foundations for data professionals

11.45 - 12.30 
Interactive plenary: Shaping the future of the Training and Community Platform together

12.30 - 13.30  
Networking lunch

13.30 - 14.15 
Breakout sessions round 1

14.15 - 14.30 
Transfer time, coffee and tea

14.30 - 15.15 
Breakout sessions round 2

15.15 - 15.30 
Transfer time, coffee and tea

15.30 - 16.00 
Wrap up & closure

16.00 - 16.45
Drinks

Breakout sessions round 1

• Breakout 1: Commiserating over good and bad RDM practices through gamification

Bjørn Bartholdy, Stefan Kirsch and Anne Mutsaars-Aarts 
Bad research data management. We've all been there. The way forward is to share a laugh, discuss good (enough) practice, and learn from our past mistakes. This is best done over a game that encourages playful interactions. In this session we will develop a data (stewardship) extension to an existing game, Open Science Against Humanity. Cards will be developed by participants during a discussion on good and bad practices in data stewardship. And we will of course play the game!
Breakout 2: Draw your learning path!
Dorien Huijser and Fieke Schoots
RDNL is building a national training programme that includes pre-made learning paths for research data professionals. We want to learn from you how you envision such a learning path. Have fun with colours, be creative, and guide data stewards on their learning journey! This workshop takes place in both workshop rounds. In the first round, we will together draw learning paths. In the second round, we will continue along the paths taken. Participants are welcome in one ór both rounds
Breakout 3: Active listening skills for research data professionals
Nami Sunami and Mijke Jetten 
Research data professionals are constantly in conversation with researchers, IT staff and policy makers. In this interactive session, we explore effective and ineffective communication behaviours. Participants will practise concrete listening skills to strengthen constructive and supportive conversations.

Breakout sessions round 2
All three breakout sessions will be repeated

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Photographs and privacy
During the event, photographs may be taken for reporting and communication purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed, please indicate this via the registration desk. We will ensure this is respected

Code of conduct 
The RDNL event follows the following Code of Conduct to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone. By participating, you agree to adhere to these principles. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at the registration desk.

Laptop-free event
To encourage open discussion and active participation, this will be a laptop-free event. We kindly ask you to refrain from using laptops during the sessions. Phones may of course be used if necessary.