Welcome to Gothenburg for the SND Network’s spring meeting!
This year’s first in-person SND Network meeting will be hosted at the University of Gothenburg and has two main themes: The future of the SND Network and (open) access to geospatial data.
Day 1: The future of the SND Network
Last year, a proposal was presented suggesting that the Swedish Research Council be given national responsibility for coordinating digital research infrastructure. One part of the proposal is that SND’s activities would be incorporated into the Swedish Research Council. The proposal highlights the value of the SND Network as an important national knowledge hub in research data management and access to research data, and stresses that the network should remain in place. A clarifying government mandate is expected in spring 2026.
The first day of the meeting will focus on the future and on what this proposal could mean in practice. What might the SND Network look like if SND becomes part of the Swedish Research Council, and how could the network operate in that new context?
For further reading, here is a link to the proposal, in Swedish (pdf): Ökad-samordning-och-organisatorisk-förändring-av-e-infrastruktur-för-forskning 2025.
The day will conclude with a reception at SND followed by a joint dinner at Restaurant Norden.
Day 2: Open access to geospatial data
With 2026 under way, the time has come to make research data accessible as openly as possible. At the same time, we know that some types of data may require extensive restrictions, and this applies not only to personal data. Geospatial data come with their own challenges when it comes to access. Some datasets may need restricted access, while others may not be possible to make accessible at all.
The second day of the meeting will look at different perspectives on making geospatial research data accessible. This may involve, for example, protecting endangered species and strategic infrastructure, or withholding information about land and water resources for security reasons. How should we reason when it comes to different kinds of research data, and who ultimately decides whether a dataset can, should, or may be made accessible?
As usual, a number of workshops will be offered before and after the network meeting.
Time: 21 April at 13:00–22 April at 12:00.
Place: Conference Centre Wallenberg
Programme: A detailed programme will be presented in mid-March.
Registration: Opens in mid-March.
Virtual participation: Virtual participation will be possible, apart from in workshops.
Contact: Contact Elisabeth Strandhagen at elisabeth.strandhagen@snd.se.