Behind open science, research data management and the development of EOSC in Czechia, there are first and foremost people. Before the summer, we therefore asked several members of the EOSC CZ community what has brought them joy over the past year, where they would recommend others go for inspiration, and how they best relax away from work.
Take a look at what your colleagues have been achieving, where they look for new ideas, and what helps them recharge outside the world of data, repositories and open science.
Anastasia Avdeeva
What brings me the greatest joy is working with colleagues in KA7 as well as in other parts of the NRP project. I value their new ideas, our joint work and the results that have a real impact. In-person meetings of the data steward community are also very important to me, as they allow us to meet face to face, discuss the needs of the community and plan further educational activities together. For me, these meetings are also moments when I can see the concrete results of our work and start thinking about the next steps.
Michaela Capandová
I was very pleased by the strong involvement of scientific communities in the dialogue on meaningful research data management, not only within EOSC but also in the broader European context. I am glad that the topic of valuable data is gaining attention across disciplines and institutions, opening up space for new partnerships and new perspectives on the principles of data care.
Georgia Koutentaki
Over the past year, many new collaborations have emerged with Czech and international data stewards. What brings me joy is the sense of community, shared work and a common goal. It is wonderful to feel that when you are trying to move something forward, you are not alone.
Michal Růžička
I was pleased by the results aimed at connecting the NRP ecosystem with other parts of the infrastructure. These include, for example, support for computational workflows and links to research instruments.
Michal Podhoranyi
What brings me the greatest joy is that AI is no longer just a smart toy for generating images and poems, but is becoming a truly autonomous, reliable and multimodal partner for solving complex human problems. I am pleased by every step from planning towards the real-life use of results, for example in the preparation of an AI repository.
Jaroslav Juráček
Many things, but above all our involvement in the EOSC Federation, which will help make the developing data infrastructure more visible — and especially the people and institutions behind it. In general, I am always happy when we help someone move their research forward.
Anastasia Avdeeva
I would recommend the Discord of the data steward community, where colleagues regularly share tips on training, seminars, methodological materials and other useful resources. Information about educational opportunities is often scattered across many places, and a community space helps us discover opportunities that might otherwise pass us by.
Michaela Capandová
For inspiration, I would recommend going almost anywhere. It does not necessarily have to be an international conference; sometimes another city, another team or an environment outside one’s usual work bubble is enough. Such distance helps us rethink the direction in which we are heading, both as an initiative and as individuals. It allows us to rediscover our motivation for work again and again.
Georgia Koutentaki
I recommend IDCC conferences, which take place in a different country every year. They offer a highly inspiring environment full of people who want to collaborate rather than compete. I always leave with a warm feeling and a great deal of new knowledge.
Michal Růžička
After all, we have the excellent EOSC CZ Training Centre! I would recommend following the offer of training courses and educational activities on the EOSC CZ website.
Michal Podhoranyi
I would recommend combining professional events, conferences and online resources. I find international conferences with global representation especially valuable, as meeting people from different cultural backgrounds often shows that the same issue can be approached in many different ways. This aspect is particularly visible in the field of AI.
Jaroslav Juráček
In the field of open science, OS FAIR conferences are excellent, combining expert content with valuable networking opportunities. In the Czech environment, I also like to draw inspiration from the Discord of the data steward community. And when I want to broaden my horizons, I listen to Czech and international podcasts on science and social topics.
Anastasia Avdeeva
I recently went on a beautiful trip to the Kokořín region, specifically to the Kokořínský důl valley. I would recommend the route from the Harasov pond through sandstone rock formations and cottage settlements all the way to Kokořín Castle. When the weather is not good, I enjoy playing something on my PS5 — lately, I have been enjoying Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
Michaela Capandová
I relax best when talking with children. They give me a completely new perspective and make me clear my head of everything unnecessary. Try, for example, thinking about how you would explain to a preschool child the answer to the question: “And why do you want to work when you could go to the swimming pool?”
Georgia Koutentaki
For relaxation, I recommend working with your hands — gardening, pottery or even finger painting. It is calming, requires concentration and truly helps you forget about everything else. And in the end, you also create something.
Michal Růžička
I enjoy relaxing most on trips and at various events with my wife and friends. When the weather is nice and warm, it is easier — you can go somewhere other than a tea room or a billiards hall.
Michal Podhoranyi
I relax best in my personal bubble at the gym, where I try to reset both body and mind. When you load a barbell with a weight close to your limits, your brain no longer has the capacity to deal with emails, deadlines or algorithms — it simply has to survive.
Jaroslav Juráček
I relax best as far away from a computer screen as possible. I enjoy working in the garden — digging in the soil is the greatest relaxation for me. And when something grows and you can see the result of your work, the joy is even greater.
Whether you are inspired by a community meeting, an international conference, working with your hands, a trip into nature or a conversation with children, one thing is repeated throughout the answers: open science is not only about data, tools and infrastructures. It is also about people who collaborate, share experience and look for ways to make their work more meaningful.
The second part of the introduction to the Data Stewardship Wizard (DSW) is primarily intended for data stewards, service administrators, and other users who want to better understand how DSW works “under the hood.” It is also relevant for those considering customizing content, creating templates, or deploying DSW at the institutional level.
Matthias Täschner first got into programming through computer games, spent twelve years in the army, and now works as a data scientist at Leipzig University. In this interview, he shares why data science isn’t about turning everyone into programmers, how to spark interest in AI, and what to expect from his course at the EOSC Summer School for data stewards.
