The programme followed the well-established format of previous EOSC CZ Networking events. Participants were introduced to EOSC CZ activities, support services for research data management, training opportunities, the National Repository Platform, and the broader context of building the National Data Infrastructure. This was followed by a presentation from Jiří Vorel, who introduced the services of MetaCentrum and the opportunities offered to researchers through the e-INFRA CZ infrastructure.
A significant part of the programme was devoted to the ongoing development of Open Science support at UJEP. The university is currently preparing its own research data management strategy and, through the Research Environment call, is establishing a new Data Management Centre. Faculty-level data steward positions are also being introduced to complement the existing university-wide data steward role, which will coordinate research data management activities across the institution. The university library also took part in the programme, presenting the services and support it provides to researchers in the areas of Open Science and research data management.
The event also included a meeting with representatives of the university leadership. Discussions focused on institutional coordination, experiences from other Czech universities, approaches to organising Open Science support, and ways to better engage researchers from the humanities and social sciences in research data management activities.
Participants particularly appreciated the practical information on depositing data in repositories, the overview of available training opportunities, and the introduction to the National Repository Platform. The broader overview of EOSC CZ services and the opportunities they create for individual institutions was also well received.
The meeting in Ústí nad Labem once again demonstrated that EOSC CZ Networking is not only about presenting services, but above all about creating space for open dialogue. While each institution is at a different stage of developing its research data management practices, sharing experiences and practical approaches helps translate the principles of Open Science into meaningful support for the Czech research community.
