Challenges of Coordinating an Interdisciplinary Consortium: Leibniz Science Campus DiTraRe

ABSTRACT. Leibniz Association connects around 100 independent research institutes across Germany which are active in varying fields. These Leibniz institutes collaborate with local universities in multiple ways, including the form of an innovative Leibniz Science Campus (LSC). With the aim of forging new paths in research, such regional partnerships create networks and encourage interdisciplinarity.

“Digital Transformation of Research” (DiTraRe) is a LSC which started in September 2023. Within this consortium, FIZ Karlsruhe - Leibniz Institute for Information Infrastructure collaborates with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Creating a very diverse and interdisciplinary team, DiTraRe is divided into various working groups. We base our work on four use cases, originating from different KIT faculties: sensitive data in sports science, Chemotion electronic lab notebook, AI in biomedical engineering, publishing large datasets (climate research). On top of that, four dimensions study different aspects of each use case. The dimensions are: exploration and knowledge organisation, legal and ethical challenges, tools and processes, reflection and resonance.

In DiTraRe we are aiming at establishing a new research branch which is digitalisation of research. Making such a growth core successful requires implementing multiple different tasks with the aim of building a community. DiTraRe team organises regular interdisciplinary colloquia, workshops and sessions at conferences, manages newsletter and social media accounts. We also concentrate on conducting research which connects the main topics of our working groups and applying for third-party funding.

In my talk we will introduce the idea of a LSC with a special focus on DiTraRe and its structure and activities. We will present our main challenges which originate from the interdisciplinary nature of the consortium as well as our solutions and ideas on solving them. We will also bring unanswered questions which we would like to discuss with the audience and create possibilities to connect and collaborate.