The 25th RDA Plenary Meeting (P25) is taking place as part of International Data Week, which combines P25 with SciDataCon2025, the scientific conference addressing the frontiers of data in research organized by International Science Council’s Committee on Data (CODATA) and World Data System (WDS). Over the next few days we will be publishing daily updates to highlight P25 sessions as the RDA community joins together in Brisbane, Australia (hosted by the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC)) with a global network of researchers, data professionals, policy makers and more to celebrate and advance the role of data in science and society.
Opening IDW 2025 Session and Plenary: CAREful Indigenous Data Governance
The theme of IDW 2025 is Data for Positive Change: Empowering communities and advancing research. The conference will explore innovative ways to leverage data to empower communities, fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers, business, and local stakeholders.
“A simple thing: everyone in this room is facing the same global challenges, and that inspires me. We come together to share, learn, connect and advance the data journey to solve the big challenges.” – Rosie Hicks, (ARDC)
Following an opening welcome from our hosts at ARDC, we welcomed three keynote speakers – Alfred J.P. Lin, Niklas Labba, Marcia Langton – to explore the challenges of indigenous data governance.
After decades of data darkness contributed to the marginalisation of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, Alfred P Lin (Academia Sinica) demonstrated how open science frameworks and modern data science are used to rebuild comprehensive demographic records and overcome longstanding legal and ethical barriers.
Niklas Labba (INTERACT) shared how Sámi people across Scandinavia are balancing cultural preservation with modern technology through the SODA initiative, navigating the opportunities and risks of open data while advancing indigenous data sovereignty.
“Data is the new form of self-determination, and must be governed in line with Sami values” – Niklas Labba (INTERACT)
Marcia Lynne Langton (University of Melbourne) discussed how the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia data commons embed indigenous data governance principles into practice.
Marcia’s call to action:
“Our framework is a living practice that evolves with community needs. All institutions, researchers and practitioners should engage meaningfully with indigenous knowledge systems and support the implementation of this framework.” Marcia Langton (University of Melbourne)
RDA Groups Further their Work – Breakout Sessions
Sixteen RDA Groups held sessions today to further their work, with four Birds of a Feather sessions organised to gauge interest in a potential new RDA Group topic:
Interested in these topics? Express your interest to the BoF organisers, or keep an eye on RDA communication channels to be notified when these groups start their activities.
Early Careers Session
The Early Careers ‘Pitch Your Research’ competition was a highlight of Day 1!
Participants got an insider’s look at the three IDW organising partners, CODATA, WDS, and RDA, followed by a series of inspiring 3-minute lightning pitches from brilliant early career researchers who are shaping the future of research.
Congratulations to the winners:
- Alexandra Wolf (1st)
- Jonaa Eva (2nd)
- Tasmiah Sad Sutopa (2nd joint)
Welcome Reception and Poster Session
Delegates gathered to close out the first day of P25 and IDW with aussie barbeque canapes, networking, and over 100 posters! View the full list of IDW posters (SciDataCon and RDA) here, or explore the digital P25 posters (submitted by the RDA community) here.
Coming up tomorrow
RDA for Newcomers Drop-in Session (during all catering breaks)
Curious to learn more about the Research Data Alliance (RDA) and how you can get involved? Come by the RDA exhibition table during one of catering breaks on Tuesday, 14 October, for informal drop-in sessions. This is your chance to meet the RDA Secretariat team, ask questions, and explore how you can take part in RDA activities.
Plenary Session ‘Global Impact of the Research Data Alliance’ (14:00-15:30 local time)
As a global, community driven initiative the Research Data Alliance’s vision is that researchers and innovators openly share and re-use data across technologies, disciplines, and countries to address the grand challenges of society. Achieving this vision requires a truly global approach.
Join us for a varied session of presentations, panel discussions and interviews to learn how the RDA tackles this challenge, with speakers from the RDA community across the globe.
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