Patrick Brunner becomes spokesman of NFDI section ELSA

18.09.2026 — On September 17, 2026, Patrick Brunner from our Intellectual Property Rights unit was elected spokesman of the NFDI section “Ethical, Legal & Social Aspects“ (ELSA).  His deputy is Neelam Vishen.

The ELSA addresses ethical, legal, and social issues related to research data management and the reuse of research data. The NFDI consortia operate across a range of disciplines, from the natural sciences to the humanities and the social sciences. However, many of the issues they address are similar. This is precisely where the sections’ work comes in: they tackle such cross-cutting topics across the boundaries of individual consortia.

ELSA brings together legal and ethical issues in particular. Topics include, among others, data protection law and intellectual property law. The section also works on cross-consortium guidelines and legal standards for handling research data.

Patrick Brunner contributes his expertise from his research and his work at FIZ Karlsruhe. He focuses in particular on issues related to data transfer, software licensing, and the development and use of AI systems.

With his election, he now assumes a central role in an area that is becoming increasingly important for the NFDI: How can research data be made legally compliant, responsibly managed, and as useful as possible for further research?