As we all settle into the new year, it is good to start filling the calendar with events that provide new insight, provide opportunities to interact with peers, offer the chance to share knowledge and to have an experience set apart from everyday work. To help with this, it is worth taking note of a couple of conferences coming up this year, hosted here at the University of Edinburgh.

Digital Research Conference 2026

On February 26^th, the 2026 Digital Research Conference will take place at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. It brings together University of Edinburgh researchers and professional staff engaged in digital, data-intensive, and computational research to promote best practices, inspire collaboration, and stimulate discussions across various research fields.

Attendees experience a diverse programme featuring keynote talks, interactive panels, hands-on workshops, and breakout sessions covering emerging trends, digital research skills, and innovative methodologies.

Registration is free but tickets are available only to University of Edinburgh Staff and PGR students: Registration link.

Edinburgh Open Research Conference 2026

On June 18^th, the Edinburgh Open Research Conference 2026 will take place at 50 George Square and the call for submissions is now open.

This year’s call is based on the ambitious “Recommendation on Open Science”, produced by UNESCO, it recognises the broad scope and impact of Open Research – not just on knowledge production, but also on the world at large. Value driven and built around the values of Quality and Integrity, Collective Benefit, Equity and Fairness, and Diversity and Inclusion, the model provides a foundation for a strategic and principled path forward. Over the past year Edinburgh Open Research (EOR) have revamped their action plan and internal model at the University of Edinburgh to reflect this ambitious and expansive scope.

EOR’s new action plan has become more diverse and expansive than ever before, and their strategies going forward will be built upon this new perspective, taking into account their local context. To celebrate this positive step forward, this year’s conference will therefore delve into the various values, principles, and actions highlighted by UNESCO’s model.

The organisers are keen to hear from speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds (academic, professional services, and students) and research disciplines. They especially welcome contributions from early career researchers, junior professional services staff, and technicians.

The deadline for submissions is end of day – Friday 13th February 2026.

Registration and submission are open to all, further details and link to submissions: Edinburgh Open Research Conference 2026.

Members of the Research Data Service will be at both of these events, we hope to see you there!

Keith Munro,
Research Data Support Assistant