Each day of the retreat will focus on a different priority of the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure Programme to support 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 the DRI and deliver better research solutions for the UK research community.
These priorities are :
- Interconnected DRI
- Human DRI
- FAIR DRI
- Sustainable DRI
The first four days of the retreat will focus on one of these themes, and on the final day, we will discuss Sovereign AI. The structure of each session is yet to be confirmed, and the format may vary (e.g., a panel, a roundtable discussion, or a workshop).
Below are suggested discussion topics; there are more than required for each day, the number of volunteers will drive session selection. Please complete the survey below to be notified when registration becomes available and volunteer to contribute to ensure that topics important to you are in the programme.
Jump to discussion topics: Interconnected DRI | Human DRI | FAIR DRI | Sustainable DRI | Sovereign AI
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.” UKRI
- Interconnected Professionals
Goal: Explore the role of professional societies or special interest groups in building a profession - Integrated Training
Goal: Explore best practices for integrating training across sites or across DRI professions - Building Strong Business Cases and Strategies
Goal: Equip DRI professionals and academics to craft compelling business cases. - The Funding Landscape and Inclusive Networking
Goal: Explore funding pathways and equity in collaboration. - The Hidden REF
Goal: Build awareness of the importance of DRI professionals within the wider academic community - Effective communication
Goal: Understanding communication hurdles between DRI professionals and researchers and how to break the silo mentality - United Federation of DRI
Goal: Build awareness of federation activities - what works and where are the current gaps.
Jump to discussion topics: Interconnected DRI | Human DRI | FAIR DRI | Sustainable DRI | Sovereign AI
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.” UKRI
- Building Sustainable Recruitment and Promotion Pipelines
Goal: Address recruitment challenges and promotion frameworks. - Rethinking Career Progression in DRI
Goal: Explore how career pathways can recognise technical expertise and non-traditional pathways to employment and promotion. - Mentorship Models and Impact
Goal: Define effective mentorship practices and explore innovative models. - Culture, Inclusivity, and Strategic Focus
Goal: Strategic thinking and strategies that foster inclusive cultures. - Practical Leadership Development without Formal Programmes
Goal: Explore ways to build leadership skills through projects and informal opportunities. - Leadership vs Management – Finding Your Fit
Goal: Help understand the difference between leadership and management to assess your potential. - Inclusive Leadership and Representation
Goal: Promote diversity, equity, and neurodiversity in leadership roles.
Jump to discussion topics: Interconnected DRI | Human DRI | FAIR DRI | Sustainable DRI | Sovereign AI
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.” UKRI
- Funding, Policy, and Sustainability
Goal: Address financial and policy challenges in long-term data stewardship. - Balancing Compliance and Openness in Research
Goal: Explore strategies to reconcile strict data protection with open science principles. - Data Management Risks, Lessons Learned, and Cultural Change
Goal: Learn from failures and build a culture of proactive data management. - Making Data Management Plans (DMPs) Useful
Goal: Transform DMPs from a compliance exercise into a practical tool. - Data Integrity, Accessibility, and Governance
Goal: Ensure long-term usability and accountability for research data. - Data Storage, Culture, and Future Risks
Goal: Tackle cultural awareness and long-term sustainability challenges. - New Policy Adherence and Finance
Goal: Discuss current and new data policies, how research can fund and follow them.
Jump to discussion topics: Interconnected DRI | Human DRI | FAIR DRI | Sustainable DRI | Sovereign AI
Thursday 26th March
Sustainable DRI - Proofing the Future: "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.” UKRI
- Securing the Software Supply Chain
Goal: Address vulnerabilities and maintain collaboration in research software ecosystems. - Preparing for Next-Generation Research Infrastructure
Goal: Plan for affordability, capability, and sustainability in future HPC and emerging technologies. - Ethical and Sustainable Industry Partnerships
Goal: Define principles for partnerships that align with societal and sustainability goals. - Energy Efficiency and Practical Innovations
Goal: Explore strategies to reduce energy consumption in HPC and data centers. - Lifecycle Management and Shared Infrastructure
Goal: Address sustainability in the hardware lifecycle and collaborative facilities. - Policy, Governance, and Accountability
Goal: Define governance frameworks and accountability for environmental impact.
Jump to discussion topics: Interconnected DRI | Human DRI | FAIR DRI | Sustainable DRI | Sovereign AI
Friday 27th March
Sovereign AI - 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.” UK Govt DSIT
- Ethics, Culture, and Misconduct in AI Adoption
Goal: Address cultural and ethical challenges in AI use and what we should be doing as DRI professionals. - Responsible AI in Research – Governance and Integrity
Goal: Define policies and roles for ethical AI use in research . - Workforce, Skills, and Future Roles in an AI-Driven Environment
Goal: Prepare DRI professionals for evolving roles and skill requirements. - Infrastructure, Capability, and Sustainability for AI Workloads
Goal: Plan for scalable, sustainable AI infrastructure. - Methods, Models & Reproducibility
Goal: Clarify the relationship between AI and traditional code practices and their relative importance
Jump to discussion topics: Interconnected DRI | Human DRI | FAIR DRI | Sustainable DRI | Sovereign AI