What is the EPFL-RDSN?
The EPFL Research Data Support Network (EPFL-RDSN) is an institution-wide community connecting services that support research data at EPFL: from storage, security and computing infrastructure to data management, legal and ethical aspects, documentation, publishing and long-term preservation.
Because research data support is distributed across multiple groups, each addressing different facets of the support landscape, the network helps clarify roles (who does what), strengthen collaboration, and minimise unnecessary duplication.
Connecting research data support across EPFL
The EPFL Research Data Support Network (EPFL-RDSN) brings together the many services and experts involved throughout the research data lifecycle. It provides a space to coordinate, exchange knowledge and increase the visibility of research data support across the institution.
Initiated by the EPFL Library with the support of the Swissuniversities Open Science programme (pgB OS II), the network is open to all EPFL services and units whose work touches research data.
Objectives of the network
The EPFL-RDSN is designed as a lightweight, service-oriented and collaborative initiative. Its main objectives are to:
Connect key players
Bringing together all EPFL services involved in research data:
IT & computing infrastructure
Data management and open science services
Legal, ethics, compliance and information security units
Faculties, laboratories, institute-level support
Data stewards, lab managers, software engineers and research-support roleIncrease visibility & discoverability
Increase visibility & discoverability
Helping colleagues and researchers easily find the right support:
Clear overview of existing services and tools
Better visibility for research data initiatives
Easier redirection to the appropriate contacts
Foster collaboration & shared practices
Exchange on challenges, tools and workflows
Share good practices and reduce duplicated efforts
Identify opportunities for joint projects
Align EPFL activities with national and ETH-Domain priorities
Keep participation light and flexible
Who is the network for?
EPFL-RDSN is primarily aimed at services and experts involved in any aspect of the research data lifecycle. Typical members include:
- Central and faculty IT groups
- Research offices and technology transfer services
- Legal, ethics, data protection and security experts
- Lab managers, data managers, software & infrastructure staff
- Discipline-specific data support units
- Central data support units
If your work relates to research data in any way (infrastructure, advice, documentation, policy, training, or hands-on support) you are a natural stakeholder of the network.
Researchers and project teams are welcome to contact the network via their usual support channels or through the EPFL Library’s RDM team
How the EPFL-RDSN works and how to get involved
Core activities
Network gatherings
Two meetings per year with presentations from EPFL services, use cases and discussions around shared topics.
Microsoft Teams space
A dedicated communication channel to share updates, ask questions, discuss needs and highlight opportunities for collaboration.
Service mapping
A collaborative overview of research data services, tools and actors across EPFL. The map is continuously enriched by members’ contributions.
For EPFL services, units and experts
Teams channel
Get involved by requesting access to the EPFL-RDSN Teams channel.
Showcase your work/service
Get involved by presenting your service, tool or use case at a future gathering.
Update the service map
Get involved by suggesting updates to the shared service mapping.
Participation is voluntary and workload-friendly.
If you prefer not to appear in the mapping or not to receive communications, simply notify the Research Data Management team at [email protected]