This demand was officially formulated in the “Positionspapier zur Zukunft der Data- und Digital Science-Community” (Position Paper on the Future of the Data and Digital Science Community). It was co-authored and signed by Rolf Drechsler, a professor of computer architecture and co-founder of the University of Bremen’s Data Science Center, and Lena Steinmann, the center’s coordinator. The University of Bremen and Kiel University are currently overseeing the establishment of the Data & Digital Science Community e.V. (DaDiSC), a nationwide network for data science research and the first of its kind in the German-speaking region. 

Research with Large Datasets – A Multidisciplinary Phenomenon

Researching with large datasets is no longer limited to fields such as statistics and computer science, but has become a common practice in language and cultural sciences, history, and other fields as well. This is due to the role of modern technologies and digitalization in making increasing amounts of data from various sources available, including mobile networks, location data, open government city data, and health apps.

To sustainably strengthen data-intensive and digitally supported research, researchers are advocating for reliable and long-term funding for central institutions such as data and digital science centers. Currently, financing for these centers is often project-based, as seen in the eleven data competence centers supported by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.

Researchers are urging policymakers to explicitly consider data and digital science in federal and state-funded research, digital, and innovation strategies, and to provide support through long-term funding programs.

Stronger Focus on Digital and Data Science in Research and Teaching

To supplement these political considerations, researchers are advocating for a stronger focus on digital and data science in research and teaching. This includes equipping digital and data science centers with the resources they need. The researchers believe that this would enable the provision of data and digital science services, including consultations, data management, and data analysis support, as well as facilitate collaborations between centers at different locations.

Furthermore, the researchers are emphasizing the importance of teaching data and digital literacy, which involves the ability to work with large datasets. They recommend providing broad support for this effort, including didactic and expert support for teachers, to ensure that competent use of data is taught in interdisciplinary courses across various degree programs. This would require collaboration between technical and non-technical disciplines.

Data and Digital Science at the University of Bremen

Since 2019, the University of Bremen has had its own interdisciplinary institute for data-based research, the Data Science Center (DSC). The university’s data-related competence and activities are bundled and developed here. The center aids in networking researchers across disciplinary boundaries, strengthening their data skills, and creating the requirements for sustainable, data-based research in all academic areas.

In its role as a central contact point, the DSC offers a range of services for researchers, including consultations, training, financial support, and computing resources, and serves as a partner in data-based research projects. The DSC is also home to the competence center DataNord, which is led by the University of Bremen in collaboration with other Bremen partner institutions, with Rolf Drechsler as one of the spokespersons. Since 2023, DataNord has received over 3.5 million euros in funding from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.

Further Information:

Link to Position Paper: https://zenodo.org/records/17475528 (in German only)

https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/data-science-center

https://dadisc.org/ (in German only, under construction)

https://www.bremen-research.de/en/datanord    

Contact: 

Dr. Lena Steinmann
Data Science Center Coordinator
University of Bremen
Phone: +49 (421) 218 - 63941
Email: lena.steinmannprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de