About the Event
In March 2026, CaSDaR was pleased to contribute to a recent event on the Portuguese Data Stewards Network (RPDS), organised through the Re.Data initiative. The event focused on Electronic Research Notebooks (ERNs) and explored their role in supporting effective research data management, reproducibility, and open science practices.
Event Programme
This online event focused on Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELNs), highlighting both national and international perspectives. It showcased ongoing national initiatives, including active working group and community-building efforts in this area, alongside broader international experiences of adopting ELNs within research environments.
Event Audience
This event was aimed at data stewards, research support professionals, and others involved in research data management and infrastructure. It was particularly relevant for those interested in the implementation, adoption, and support of electronic laboratory notebooks within research organisations.
Event Organiser
The event was organised by The Portuguese Data Stewards Network (RPDS). RPDS aims to bring together professionals with common interests and challenges in research data management, promoting a space for sharing, learning, and collaboration. The RPDS is structured to strengthen the community, encourage interaction with national and international initiatives, share resources and knowledge about data stewardship , and contribute to the empowerment and professional development of its members.
Outputs
As part of the event, Dr Samantha Pearman-Kanza (CaSDaRs PI) delivered a presentation on the challenges of implementing Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELNs), with a particular focus on user adoption. The talk highlighted how successful ELN implementation extends beyond technical setup and licensing, requiring sustained engagement, training, and support for users. It explored key considerations and practical strategies to encourage adoption, emphasising that even well-configured systems will fail to deliver value if they are not effectively integrated into everyday laboratory practice. The presentation underscored the importance of aligning ELN implementation with user needs to ensure long-term benefits for research workflows.
Samantha’s slides can be found here: https://zenodo.org/records/19239360
Further information about the event, including the session details, can be found here:
https://redata.pt/rpds-session-electronic-research-notebooks/