Research needs strong data infrastructures: 5th NFDI4Culture Community Plenary in Mainz

Karlsruhe, 10 September 2025 – NFDI4Culture, the consortium for promoting research data management for tangible and intangible cultural assets, invites you to the 5th Culture Community Plenary held in Mainz from September 24 to 26, 2025. This is the consortium's largest annual on-site event, which can also be followed digitally. The cultural and scientific community will be developing strategies for sustainable research data management. FIZ Karlsruhe is a consortium partner in NFDI4Culture and is thus actively involved in shaping and further developing the services offered.

Key topic will be “Data sovereignty, infrastructural resilience, and academic freedom”. -“Current geopolitical developments around the world demonstrate the importance of reliable infrastructure projects in Germany, including NFDI4Culture and its vision of ‘shared data, shared practice, shared knowledge,’” explains consortium spokesperson Prof. Torsten Schrade. The Community Plenary is hosted by the spokesperson institution for NFDI4Culture, the Academy of Sciences and Literature | Mainz.

The Culture Community Plenary is a central venue for exchange between consortium members (representatives of co-applicants, participants, and professional associations) and its bodies (Steering Board, Advisory Council, and Spokesperson Committee), as well as guests from national and international research and digital infrastructure. Together, they will discuss the current status of the consortium, present the results of the work program, and shape the consortium's strategy for the future. The Plenary thus offers the community the opportunity to participate in and help shape NFDI4Culture.

From September 24 to September 26, 2025, the program offers exciting insights into and opportunities for exchange about digital research and culture. It will start with the Wednesday workshop that will familiarize participants with new capabilities and tools – from Python programming to sustainable research management. In the evening, the DigAMus Awards ceremony will take place, which can be viewed both on site and online.

Thursday will start with reports and scientific presentations on the current status and future plans of NFDI4Culture. A special highlight will be the ceremony with a panel of prominent persons discussing key topics such as data sovereignty, resilience, and academic freedom. This event, too, can be attended online.

On Friday, the “Market of Opportunities” offers space for networking: NFDI4Culture and other infrastructures will be presenting their tools and services on site, creating opportunities for exchange and cooperation.

The detailed program is available at the NFDI4Culture Portal. Participation, on site or online, is free. Please register for either option by September 22, 2025.

If you have questions regarding the Culture Community Plenary, please contact: coordination-office [at] nfdi4culture.de (Culture Coordination Office).