The Disciplinary Domain’s research infrastructure day is coming up soon

Why are you organising the research infrastructure day?

“We have a wide range of research infrastructures offering researchers high-quality services. But we have realised that awareness of them is quite low, and that is something we really want to improve. It is a pity that not everyone is aware of what is on offer, as it can boost research and strengthen research applications

“It was also mentioned in the KoF that it would be beneficial if more researchers knew more about and the research infrastructures and utilised them more. Therefore, we have been considering various ways of making them visible and connecting them with potential users.”

What is the aim of the day?

“We don’t believe that everyone can learn everything about the approximately 35 research infrastructures that will be showcasing what they offer. But we hope to spark curiosity and that the attendees know about them afterwards, making it easier to find more information.

“The programme is packed with short presentations from the research infrastructures, which are also featured in an exhibition, where you can ask further questions. In addition, we have four inspirational talks from successful researchers, showing how their research has utilised at least one infrastructure, and how that has led to successful collaborations. We also want to highlight the support functions for data management. We will conclude with a panel discussion about how to develop the infrastructures going forward.”

What do you hope to gain from it?

“I’m a researcher myself, so personally I hope to learn something new, which I’m certain I will. Even though I know about all these research infrastructures and have visited several of them, a lot is going on. There could be new equipment, new experts and so on. I hope to find something that helps me address the issues I’m currently pondering in my grant applications.

“Apart from that, I really hope the attendees will leave thinking: ‘Oh, now I’ve learnt something I didn’t know before.’ And that this could be beneficial for them or their colleagues.”

Is there something you want to add?

“This is the first time we are doing this. We are a group from the Research infrastructure committee and SciLifeLab who have put together this programme. We believe it will be intense but also fun. We have included quite long breaks, so it will be possible to see the exhibition, but also to give people the possibility to actually speak with your colleagues.

“And I think it could be quite a pleasant day, because it is not often we get the chance to meet colleagues from across the entire Disciplinary Domain about something that concerns everyone.”

Petter Nording Cronsten