Upskilling community: the importance of informal training and mutual learning
Abstract
Presentation at the FOR2026 conference - The Future of Open Research: Reliable, Responsible, Equitable, Munich, May 4-6, 2026 Abstract Upskilling the community is the overall target of the Italian Competence Center within the framework of ICDI, Italian Computing ad data infrastructure, via two complementary initiatives. The Open Science café is a monthly online broadcast specifically tailored to the Italian research community. The format is easy: 30 minutes presentation by an expert on different components of Open Science, followed by 30 minutes Q&A. In 2025 we started the 5th edition,havign reached more than 5000 listeners, who appreciate the quick and practical format. All the cafés are recorded and available. They are a valuable example of informal learning paths. The Italian Community of Data Stewards (CIDS) was established in 2023 within the broader process of consolidating research data management (RDM) practices and promoting Open Science in Italy. Its creation was preceded by a national survey aimed at mapping the presence and skills of professionals supporting RDM in universities and research organizations, which revealed the fragmented recognition of the data steward role and the need for a dedicated forum to consolidate professional identity. The first in-person meeting of CIDS (Rome, November 2023), brought together fifty professionals from diverse institutions and disciplinary backgrounds. It marked the community’s founding moment and highlighted the urgency of formalizing the role of data stewards, supporting their professional growth, and providing them with visibility, along with the need for continuous training, and coordinated initiatives to foster the adoption of FAIR principles in everyday research practice. CIDS progressively structured its activities through regular online and in person meetings, webinars, thematic working groups, and the creation of collaborative tools. These initiatives strengthened the community, fostering mutual learning and enabling members to respond collectively to the emerging challenges of RDM. A significant milestone was the publication of the CIDS Manifesto in March 2025 to set out the community’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. The Manifesto defines the distinctive profile of data stewards in the Italian context and positions the community within the European Open Science policy framework, particularly in relation to the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). The strategic objectives of CIDS can be summarized in four areas: 1) to valorize and consolidate the role of data stewards, promoting their institutional recognition and sustainable career development 2) to define professional profiles and competencies, ensuring consistency across disciplines while adapting to domain-specific needs 3), to raise awareness of responsible data management, countering the perception of RDM as a bureaucratic task and reframing it as a valuable scientific practice 4) to foster mutual learning, through professional development opportunities, workshops, mentoring, and inter-institutional collaboration. CIDS represents an innovative example of community building in the Italian research landscape. By bridging the gap between policy recommendations and daily practices, it provides concrete support to researchers and institutions, while contributing to a more open, transparent, and sustainable scientific ecosystem. Through its alignment with European initiatives, CIDS also enhances the visibility and impact of Italian contributions to the international Open Science movement.