Summary

You are invited to join the launch of the Nordic‑Baltic Dataverse Hub (NAISH), a major new NordForsk‑funded collaboration that brings together research data repositories, experts, and institutions across the Nordic‑Baltic region.

Description

This three‑day kick‑off meeting marks the formal start of a shared initiative that begins with five years of dedicated funding, but whose overarching ambition is to establish a long‑term regional research infrastructure hub to strengthen the sustainability, interoperability, and long‑term development of Dataverse‑based repository services. Read more about NAISH.

Hosted at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania, the meeting will gather project participants and leading international experts to set the course for NAISH’s strategic, organizational, and technical work. Through focused, workshop‑style sessions, we will begin shaping the hub’s common resources, federation and certification strategies, AI‑enhanced repository functions, human capacity‑building activities, and stakeholder engagement pathways. The program is designed to create momentum, build shared understanding, and equip all participants with a clear roadmap for the project’s first phase.

In addition to NAISH partners, we also welcome a limited number of external stakeholders who are engaged in research data management, operate Dataverse repositories, or are exploring Dataverse adoption. This is a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues across the Nordic‑Baltic region, gain insight into the future of Dataverse‑based infrastructures, and contribute to the early formation of a landmark regional initiative.

The NAISH kick‑off will be held 21–23 April 2026 and combines collaborative sessions with keynote contributions from two internationally recognized experts, Mercè Crosas (BSC) and Slava Tykhonov (CODATA). More practical information, including registration details, can be found below in this document.

Key Information

📅 DATES: Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 12:00 EET – Thursday 23 April 2026 at 13:00 EET 

📍 VENUE:

• On-site participation:

  • Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Library (Gedimino 50, Kaunas, Lithuania), Room 206. Map.

  • 50 seats available. First come, first served.

  • Deadline: Wednesday, 25 March 2026

  • To register, see more information below.

• Virtual participation:

  • Streaming of presentations from keynote and workshop introductions

  • No opportunity to interact in workshops

  • Deadline: Thursday, 16 April 2026

  • To register, see more information below.

🎯 TARGET GROUPS:

• NAISH project participants (primary target group):
  These participants will actively shape the project’s implementation and are expected to take part in the workshop‑style sessions that form the core of the meeting. The primary target group includes:

  • Work Package (WP) leaders

  • Task leaders and task contributors

  • Members of the Project Management Board

  • Representatives from all partner institutions

• Additional participants (project‑external stakeholders):
  While the meeting is dedicated to project work, we also welcome a limited number of project‑external participants who have a professional interest in Dataverse and research data repository services in the Nordic‑Baltic region. These may include:

  • Representatives from institutions exploring Dataverse adoption in other Nordic‑Baltic countries (e.g., Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Åland, Greenland) and beyond

  • Members of related research infrastructure communities

External participants are invited to attend the program and will gain insight into NAISH’s goals and upcoming activities. However, the primary focus of the meeting remains the internal planning and coordination of the NAISH project.

💬 FOCUS OF THE MEETING:
The kick‑off will be fully dedicated to advancing project work. Each Work Package (WP) will host a workshop‑style session aimed at establishing and refining approaches, identifying practical starting points, and planning collaboration. In addition, two external experts will contribute keynotes and provide guidance to support the project’s thematic work.

An initial agenda is provided below. More details will be published in the coming weeks.

Why Attend?

Participants will:

• Contribute directly to shaping the project’s first year of activities

• Engage with experts in TDR certification, AI in repositories, and FAIR data practices

• Build connections with colleagues across the Nordic‑Baltic region

• Help define a shared roadmap toward more aligned, sustainable Dataverse‑based services

The kick‑off meeting lays the foundation for the collaboration ahead—and your expertise and input are essential to setting the direction and priorities for the coming years.

Registration

Registration form: NAISH Kick-off Meeting - Registration
Registration deadline (on-site participation): Friday, 25 March 2026 at 18:00 CET

Registration deadline (online participation): Thursday, 16 April 2026 at 23:59 CEST

Maximum on-site capacity: 50 participants

The form includes information about participation fees and practical information.

Please note that

• payment will be by payment card (Mastercard, Visa);

• it may take up to 24 hours for your order confirmation to be sent by email;

• your credit card company may apply a payment fee.

All participants—project partners and external attendees—must cover their own travel, accommodation, and participation costs. NAISH partners may use their NordForsk project funding for this purpose; external participants must rely on institutional or other funding.

Keynote speakers and expert facilitators

We are pleased to announce that the meeting will feature contributions from two internationally recognized experts: Mercè Crosas (Director of Computational Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and President of CODATA; former co‑lead of the Dataverse project) and Vyacheslav (Slava) Tykhonov (Head of Artificial Intelligence and Interoperability at CODATA and Dataverse Ambassador; long‑standing contributor to Dataverse technology and AI integration). Mercè will deliver the introductory keynote and Slava a keynote on technical operations and AI. In addition, Mercè and Slava will serve as expert facilitators during the workshop sessions. Their combined expertise in data infrastructures, AI‑enhanced repository services, and large‑scale Dataverse operations will provide invaluable guidance as we shape NAISH’s strategic, organizational, and technical directions.