Collaborative session notes:
Open session notes
The first meeting of the Data Ethics Birds of a Feather (BoF) Group will serve as a foundational session to introduce participants to the purpose and strategic importance of establishing a coordinated forum for data ethics within the Research Data Alliance. The meeting will open with a brief welcome and introductions, providing a concise overview of the rationale for convening this group and offering attendees the opportunity to situate their own interests and expertise within the wider aims of the initiative. This initial exchange is intended to create a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities that motivate the formation of the BoF.
The core of the meeting will be dedicated to outlining the vision and scope of the Data Ethics BoF, clarifying how the group intends to contribute to ongoing international conversations on responsible data and AI practices. Participants will discuss the anticipated role of the BoF in producing guidance, fostering community dialogue, and aligning ethical considerations across partner organisations such as RDA, CODATA, WDS, and the Ethical Data Initiative. This segment will articulate how the group aims to support trustworthy, equitable and transparent scientific work, and will set expectations for collaborative outputs such as glossaries, case studies, policy briefings and engagement activities.
A focused spotlight session will then introduce the mission and current activities of the Ethical Data Initiative (EDI). This will provide participants with an understanding of EDI’s ongoing work, its relevance to global data ethics debates, and specific opportunities for collaboration. Highlighting EDI’s experience and tools will help position the BoF within an existing landscape of ethical discourse, while identifying areas where joint efforts may enhance coherence across communities and strengthen the visibility of ethical issues in research data management, AI development, and cross-domain scientific infrastructures.
The meeting will conclude with closing remarks that summarise the proposed next steps for the group, including opportunities for participants to become involved in early activities and future discussions. An open invitation for continued engagement will reinforce the BoF’s intention to operate as an inclusive, cross-sector forum and establish momentum for subsequent meetings, working sessions and future outputs.
