On April 7, the data steward community gathered at Masaryk University in Brno, where participants had the opportunity not only to learn about the latest developments in research data but also to engage in discussions on the ethical and legal aspects of data management and other research data-related topics.
The meeting’s program was rich and diverse. The morning featured a series of reports and presentations—ranging from updates on the National Repository Platform (NRP) to highlights from international events such as FairFest and the International Digital Curation Conference 2025 (IDCC25). Participants also learned about the mapping of the research community, an awareness campaign supporting data stewards, and observed practical demonstrations of how to create Data Management Plans according to funding agency requirements.
Particular interest was sparked by thematic blocks focused on legal and ethical aspects of research data management. Věra Franková addressed issues of trust, transparency, and accountability in the context of modern science. Legal experts Anna Tůmová and Matěj Uchytil answered specific questions from the audience and the Discord platform—covering topics such as handling research data in project partnerships, authorship, and the legal responsibilities of database operators.
Attention was also drawn to a draft of a new law, expected to replace the current Act No. 130/2002 Coll. as of January 1, 2026. This draft not only introduces a shift in terminology—from "research data" to "data from research"—but also proposes a simplified approach to sharing such data. While international standards emphasize the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), the new draft mentions only "FAR"—emphasizing accessibility without requiring interoperability. This raised debate over potential impacts on the quality and usability of shared research data.
The next in-person data steward community meeting is scheduled for September 25, 2025. You can also look forward to the Summer School for Data Stewards, taking place June 3–5 in Ostrava.
“The Brno Data Stewards meeting, just like the previous ones in Prague and Ostrava, was excellently organized – from communication to the venue and refreshments. It strongly supported the community atmosphere, which remains vibrant even as the number of participants grows. A major highlight was the lecture on legal and ethical questions, delivered by colleagues from the Open Science Support Centre at Charles University and the Biobank of the First Faculty of Medicine. The interactive session with the Data Stewardship Wizard team was also appreciated, giving us the chance to suggest ideas for new features. And the most valuable part? The opportunity to meet in person and exchange experiences across more than ten institutions – often over coffee or in informal evening conversations.”
Jan Vališ, Faculty Data Steward, University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague
“What stood out to me was the informal atmosphere of the event, which in no way detracted from its professional value – everything was centered around current topics in Open Data and Open Science. I really appreciated the advice from colleagues at Charles University and Masaryk University, where it’s clear they have a well-established open science policy. I also valued the chance to continue work-related discussions during the informal evening part – it was simply a great gathering of passionate people. Special thanks go to Lucka Hošková, who not only shared practical tips for creating DMPs, but also pointed me to the use of the DSW NRP platform. With a well-set team, it can significantly streamline the whole process.”
Tom Heryán, Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET), VSB – Technical University of Ostrava
“This gathering showed me just how much care the community of experts around the EOSC CZ initiative and open science devotes to supporting data stewards. I consider it a unique and very important effort, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it. The entire day was well thought out and offered room for experience sharing, open discussion, and informal networking – something that’s rarely seen nowadays. I was especially impressed by the diversity of the program, particularly the talks focused on the ethical and legal aspects of research data management. They provided me with valuable insights and practical knowledge I can apply in my work, along with greater awareness of what to watch out for as a data steward. What I enjoyed most was the Data Stewardship Wizard workshop. I appreciated the open approach of the presenters, who actively involved us in the discussion and collected feedback on the tool. The shared conversation about real-world DMP challenges was also highly beneficial – I left with a lot of practical tips and new inspiration.”
Kateřina Halamová, Project Data Steward, Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Proper data handling is the foundation of modern science. In the series Data Stewards: Mission FAIR, you will discover who data stewards are, what their work entails, and what tools and educational opportunities they can use.
The Czech data steward community met online on February 4 to discuss key updates, including the release of the Beginner’s Guide for Data Stewards, an ongoing campaign, and an open survey on the use of AI tools in practice.
