Report on the ELIXIR STEERS Outreach Event - Argentina: April, 2025

Report info:

This report summarizes the ELIXIR STEERS WP5 outreach event held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 16, 2025. 

Purpose:

The event aimed to introduce the ELIXIR research infrastructure for life science data to the Argentinian scientific community and explore potential avenues for collaboration.

Content:

Presentations provided an overview of ELIXIR's structure, services, and impact, including the role of EMBL-EBI, examples from the ELIXIR Hungary Node, perspectives from the South American CEBEM structural biology network, and insights into research credit and recognition. A key component was a round table discussion featuring representatives from ELIXIR, EMBL-EBI, Argentinian governmental bodies (Secretaría de Educación), research institutions (ANLIS Malbrán, Fundación Instituto Leloir), and regional networks (CEBEM). Discussions focused on the value and sustainability of research infrastructures, funding challenges, the power of networking and collaboration (drawing on ELIXIR's model and pandemic lessons), Open Science implementation, the high demand for training and leadership development, and evolving research assessment practices. Key outcomes include heightened awareness of ELIXIR in Argentina, strong interest in leveraging ELIXIR's experience in infrastructure management and impact assessment, and the identification of training and network-building as primary areas for potential future interaction.

Conclusions:

This event marks a step in strengthening ties between ELIXIR and the Latin American research landscape under the ELIXIR STEERS project.