Data Support Network in Finland

Organisation

CSC (ELIXIR-FI)Finland

with Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, University of Jyväskylä, University of Lapland, LUT University, National Defence University, University of Oulu, University of the Arts Helsinki, Tampere University, University of Turku, University of Vaasa, Åbo Akademi University, Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Centria University of Applied Sciences, Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences, Humak University of Applied Sciences, Jamk University of Applied Sciences, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, LAB University of Applied Sciences, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University of Applied Sciences

Scale

National / Regional

Domain

Cross-domain

Status

Since 2020Active

Community building
Stakeholder engagement

CSC - Data Support Network homepage

With 170 members across Finnish research institutions, this national peer network demonstrates how informal, grassroots collaboration can strengthen formal Open Science structures and enhance knowledge exchange.

Don't overcomplicate community building: instead, focus on creating low-barrier, informal online spaces where a dedicated core group can tackle practical, everyday challenges.

Why this case

Before 2020, research data management (RDM) support across Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs) and research-performing organisations (RPOs) was fragmented. While national Open Science initiatives (2011 onward) established and funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture had successfully created policy frameworks and expert groups, there was no low-threshold, informal space for data support professionals to connect, exchange practical knowledge, and seek peer support.

Those affected were primarily data stewards, data support staff, and IT specialists working closely with researchers. These professionals often operated in isolation within their own institutions, despite facing very similar day-to-day challenges. Researchers were indirectly affected through uneven support quality and lack of shared practices across institutions, while leadership lacked a clear channel into grassroots RDM issues.

Finland already had strong national coordination in Open Science, and collaboration structures were in place, but they were largely formal and task-driven. There was a clear gap for an interest-based community. The COVID-19 pandemic also accelerated the shift toward virtual collaboration, making a national, low-barrier network both feasible and necessary. This combination of mature policy infrastructure and unmet practical needs created the opportunity to establish the CSC Data Support Network.

What we did

The approach

The CSC Data Support Network was launched in August 2020 as a lightweight, inclusive community built on existing national Open Science structures rather than replacing them. The idea was to complement formal working groups with an informal, practitioner-driven network.

The network is a part of the CSC Research Data Management Competence Center, which promotes and supports the skills and competence development of research data management and aims to foster Open Science and FAIR data management. CSC - IT Center for Science itself is owned by the state and Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs). CSC provides comprehensive scientific computing, data management, and analysis services and solutions for researchers in every discipline, as well as training to use our services. CSC also hosts the Finnish ELIXIR Node.

First move: CSC organized an initial kick-off event and leveraged existing Open Science coordination channels to reach potential members. Because the community built on already well-connected expert groups, outreach was efficient and adoption relatively fast.

Tools and formats used:

A moderated mailing list for monthly newsletters
A discussion forum (“data chat”) requiring a Finnish eDuuni-ID
Monthly virtual “data coffee” meetings via Zoom
Training events and open materials (CC BY 4.0 licensed)

The design principle throughout was low threshold participation: minimal commitments, easy access, and no additional workload expectations.

Engagement in practice:

Monthly newsletters shared curated updates on RDM, training, and services
Open discussion forum enabled peer-to-peer problem solving
Informal monthly meetings allowed free discussion, occasionally with short presentations
Training events were co-created with network experts, increasing ownership

This was not built from scratch. It was explicitly built on:

National Open Science coordination structures (expert groups and working groups)
CSC’s existing role in delivering RDM services and training
Established communities around ELIXIR and other infrastructures

Effort involved: The network is coordinated centrally (within CSC), as part of the CSC Research Data Management Competence Center funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, but designed to scale through community contributions. While no exact FTE is defined, the model relies on light but continuous coordination rather than large, time-bound projects.

Iteration and pivot: Initially, community engagement included in-person café meetings, but due to COVID-19 these were rapidly replaced with virtual meetings. This shift proved highly successful, significantly increasing inclusiveness and participation nationwide.

What changed

Outputs and results:

A national network of over ~170 members across nearly all Finnish HEIs and RPOs (by May 2026)
A functioning monthly newsletter, active discussion forum, and regular meeting format
Delivery of training events and reusable RDM materials
Creation of an informal peer-support channel for RDM professionals

Evidence it worked:

Consistent participation in monthly virtual meetings
Active engagement in the discussion forum (even if concentrated among core users)
Continued growth and sustained membership over multiple years
Positive uptake of training and shared materials

Barriers encountered:

Difficulty in engaging all members equally (participation remained uneven)
Limited feedback from the community on needs and priorities
Balancing communication volume with members’ limited time
Initial reluctance to use discussion platforms widely

Enablers:

Strong existing national Open Science ecosystem
CSC’s central role and credibility
Low-barrier participation model
Shift to online formats, which increased accessibility
Clear value proposition: practical, everyday support rather than policy-level discussion

Current limitations:

While the network is successful as a general community, there is emerging demand for more specialized groups (e.g. a dedicated data steward community). Formal professionalisation of data stewardship is still in early stages in Finland.

What we’d tell others

What worked

Keep the barrier to entry low. Participation requires minimal commitment, making it sustainable.
Focus on practical value. Discussions centered on real, day-to-day challenges kept the network relevant.
Build on existing structures. Leveraging national coordination frameworks made adoption much easier.
Create informal spaces. The “data coffee” format fostered trust and ongoing engagement.

What didn’t work (and how we adapted)

In-person-only formats limited participation. Moving fully online significantly improved inclusiveness.
Trying to engage everyone equally. In practice, a smaller active core sustains the network.
Difficulty in collecting feedback. We relied more on observed engagement and informal input rather than formal feedback processes.

Transferability and scaling

This model is highly transferable, with some conditions:

Requires at least a basic national or institutional coordination structure
Benefits from a trusted central actor (like CSC)
Works best where there is already a community of practice with shared challenges

Adaptations may be needed in:

Countries without centralized RDM coordination
Contexts where access systems (like eDuuni-ID) are not available
Environments with less established Open Science culture

Sustainability and next steps

The network is currently sustained through CSC coordination and community contributions. Its lightweight structure supports long-term continuity without large dedicated funding. Possible next steps include strengthening connections to European networks and supporting ongoing discussions and activities on professionalisation of data stewardship

While the network is well functioning, its future development depends on continued coordination support and responsiveness to evolving community needs.

External resources

Category	Resource	Description
External	National resources: Finland	This is an overview of research data management resources in Finland. These resources are accessible for researchers in Finland and to their collaborators.
External	Open Science Finland	This formal framework was crucial in establishing the network.

Writing – original draft