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Event Summary: Let’s Talk Data Archiving – Practical Insights into FAIR and Long-Term Data Management

Date: November 5, 2025
Topic: Data archiving, FAIR principles, and long-term data management from early-career perspectives
Participants: ~10 Early-Career Researchers

Data are the foundation of scientific discovery, but their long-term value depends on careful curation and documentation. Our “Let’s talk data archiving” seminar explored practical approaches to making research data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Unlike abstract discussions, the event focused on real-world workflows, tools, and strategies for early-career researchers to integrate good data management practices into everyday research.

Who shared their insights?

  • Amelie Driemel (PANGAEA, AWI, Germany) – Long-term curation, high-quality metadata, persistent identifiers, and integration of data publication into research workflows.
  • Nicole Greco (Arctic Data Center, USA) – Domain-specific Arctic data repository, training workshops, data rescue, and user support.
  • Johannes Röttenbacher (AC³ project, University of Bremen, Germany) – Project-level data management, internal curation standards, and embedding FAIR principles into collaborative research workflows.

Key takeaways:

  • Plan from the start: Integrate data management into project planning to prevent loss of context and effort later.
  • High-quality metadata: Clear documentation of measurements, units, methods, and contextual information is critical for reuse.
  • Shared responsibility: PIs, project managers, and early-career researchers all play a role in maintaining FAIR data.
  • Practical tools: Use persistent identifiers, standardized formats, and repository support to improve discoverability and long-term access.
  • Archiving as an investment: Proper data management increases reproducibility, facilitates new research, and provides a strong scientific return on investment.

Resources:

Acknowledgements:
Thanks to our panelists Amelie Driemel, Nicole Greco, and Johannes Röttenbacher for sharing their expertise, and to all participants for their thoughtful questions and engagement. Special thanks to the APECS Germany board for organizing the seminar.

Main message:
Data archiving is not just an administrative task, but  a shared responsibility, a strategic investment, and a critical part of reproducible and impactful science. Early-career researchers who engage with FAIR data principles from the start can enhance both their own work and the wider scientific community.