First online event for EOSC-Nordic project was a big success

EOSC-Nordic WP4 hosted the project’s first online event, FAIRification of Nordic and Baltic data repositories, on April 22nd with great success. 

In mid-March, when it became clear that we were unable to host a face-to-face event as intended at Arlanda airport, we decided to host the event online. From the two execution options open to us, we settled on a webinar format, instead of a Zoom meeting. We realize that this format had its limitations and did not support the participant interaction to the extent everyone would have liked. But given the sheer number of registrants, this option seemed to give us all an online event that was both audible and recordable. 

Going online also meant that we could increase the number of participants from a maximum of 50 people to 122 registered attendees by the time the event started. The event proved to be a roaring success for the EOSC-Nordic WP4. Over 80 participants joined us on Wednesday morning and stayed with us throughout the day. 

“The event was a great success – in execution, turn-out, communication, and technically!” remarked Andreas Jaunsen, Nordforsk/NeIC, and EOSC-Nordic WP4 leader.

“I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to our excellent presenters Erik Schultes from GO-FAIR, Bert Meerman from GO-FAIR Foundation, Mari Kleemola from Tampere University, moderator Pauli Assinen from the University of Helsinki, as well as to CSC for providing the Zoom platform and supporting the event technically” Andreas continues.  

The Zoom platform worked flawlessly, and attendees were allowed to voice their comments during and after each presentation. Questions were highly relevant and showed that the participants found the material very useful, as well as providing new insight. The open discussion session was delightful and panelists received more than a dozen questions and comments from various participants. Several of the attendees referred to the event as a “refreshing and useful take on the FAIR topic, providing new understanding and insight into the details and challenges.” In the final session, Next steps, WP4 gave a brief look into what the work package will do in the coming 6-8 months. Completion of the workshop was the first milestone for WP4, and we are extremely happy that so many participants could join us and give their insightful contribution to the discussion. 

Did you miss our event? Presentations are downloadable from the event page, and the recordings are available on our YouTube channel.