This event is open to all digital research technical professionals, as well as those working in academia, funding bodies, and industry. It is a week-long discussion-based meeting, where each day focuses on a different priority of the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure Programme, supporting the UK's goal of building a strong, connected, and sustainable digital research system. These priorities, while distinct, are interconnected and work together to enhance DRI and deliver better research solutions for the UK research community.
These priorities are :
- Interconnected DRI
- Human DRI
- FAIR DRI
- Sustainable DRI
The format of sessions will be either panels or round-table discussions. All participants, both in-person and online, are encouraged to share their thoughts and ask questions in Slido throughout the day.
PROGRAMME
Days at the retreat are a combination of panel sessions and round-table discussions. We allocate tables daily so you have the opportunity to meet as many attendees as possible. Below you can follow a link to a page with the programme for the week or find out about a specific day including it's panellists and suggested session discussion points.
Monday 23rd March
INTERCONNECTED DRI
Stop building local empires, start building national bridges
“We aim to break down silos and promote collaboration within the DRI landscape by creating a more interconnected, open, inclusive, and user-friendly infrastructure. This involves fostering community engagement, promoting the creation of federated infrastructure, and ensuring that DRI funding addresses the technical challenges of operating across disciplines.”
SESSIONS: The hidden REF | Interconnected professionals | Effective communication | United federation of DRI
Tuesday 24th March
HUMAN DRI: Building Careers
You are not 'support staff', you are infrastructure
“We understand that DRI starts with the people who build, maintain, and upgrade it. By recognising their crucial role within DRI, promoting their careers, and supporting their professional development, we aim to foster a supportive culture and ensure a skilled and diverse DRI workforce.”
SESSIONS: Rethinking career progression in DRI | Mentorship models and impact | Practical leadership development without formal programmes | Culture, inclusivity, and strategic focus | Leadership vs management - finding your fit
CONFERENCE DINNER: Hotel Gotham
Wednesday 25th March
FAIR DRI - Data is Everything
“We will ensure that research infrastructure is easily accessible, interoperable, and reusable by driving adoption of the FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) principles. This enhances research efficiency and fosters a more collaborative research environment.”
SESSIONS: Funding, policy, and sustainability | Data integrity, accessibility, and governance | Data storage, culture, and future risks | Data management risks. lessons learned, and cultural change
NB. This day starts slightly later and finishes as 15:00 to allow attendees to get out of the conference centre and recharge their batteries
Thursday 26th March
SUSTAINABLE DRI - FUTURE-PROOFING
"If it's not green, it won't get funded."
“We focus on ensuring the long-term health of DRI by addressing efficiency, security, environmental and financial challenges to create a sustainable DRI ecosystem.”
SESSIONS: Lifecycle management and shared infrastructure | Policy, governance, and accountability | Ethical and sustainable partnerships with funders and industry | Answering funding calls exercise
Friday 27th March
SOVEREIGN DRI
Skills to work in a GenAI world
"Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities are developing at an extraordinary pace. In an AI-enabled world, it matters who influences and builds the models, data, and AI infrastructure that are increasingly present in our lives.”
SESSIONS: "Cautionary tales" - nuancing of sovereign AI from basics and what it means for research | Responsible AI in research - governance and integrity | GenAI Competency/Skills matrix and gap analysis | Tales from the trenches