Summary

CESSDA ERIC celebrates its 50th anniversary with a week-long conference in Bergen, Norway!

Description

Digital transformation, open science, and artificial intelligence are shaping how research is carried out and its connection with society. From climate change, inequality, to disinformation – as social challenges grow more urgent and complex, the need for trustworthy, interoperable, and policy-relevant social science data has never been greater. In this evolving landscape, social science data archives play a critical role in maximising the benefits of research data while mitigating potential risks, under the principle of “as open as possible and as closed as necessary”.

In 2026, CESSDA, the Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives, celebrates its 50th anniversary. This conference marks its five decades of collaboration, innovation, and service to the European social science research community. It brings together its Service Providers and partners, as well as researchers, open science and data experts, policy actors, funding partners, and networks from across Europe and beyond to reflect on its legacy and chart a shared vision for the future.

The four-day conference programme is anchored in CESSDA’s strategic pillars (2023–2027) of Data, People, and Landscape. The conference is an opportunity for scientific and policy voices to ask bold questions, strengthen synergies, and set the course for a future-ready European Research Area.

The Objectives of the Conference

The conference marks the 50th anniversary of CESSDA. It celebrates its impact on open science and open data in the European Research Area and beyond. It brings together CESSDA Service Providers, researchers, policy actors, partner organisations, and international networks to share knowledge, showcase achievements, and address the evolving landscape of research and innovation.

Dates and Venue

The CESSDA at 50 Conference will take place 15–18 June 2026 in Bergen, Norway. The workshops on 15–16 June are located in Kulturhuset (Vaskerelven 8). The panel sessions on 17–18 June are located in Media City Bergen (Lars Hilles gate 30). The welcome reception on 16 June will be hosted in Håkonshallen (Bergenhus 10). The conference dinner on 18 June will take place in Frescoshallen (Vågsallmenningen 1).

Registration

Registration is done via invitation. 

Agenda

More information will be made availble soon.