The Research Data Alliance (RDA) Plenary this March marks a pivotal moment for the international data community. The Ethical Data Initiative (EDI) is proud to be at the forefront of the inaugural Data Ethics Birds of a Feather (BoF) session, a foundational gathering that bridges the gap between technical data management and the ethical imperatives of our time. As data-driven research and AI development accelerate, the need for a coordinated, cross-sector forum has never been more urgent, and this BoF session is the first step toward creating that space.

The RDA 26th Plenary Meeting will take place fully virtually under the theme ‘Data continuity for research resilience’, from 16-20 March 2026.

A Vision for Responsible Innovation

The core mission of the Data Ethics BoF is to move beyond abstract theory and toward actionable guidance. By fostering a community-led dialogue, the group aims to align ethical considerations among major international players, including RDA, CODATA, and WDS. This collaboration is dedicated to supporting scientific work that remains trustworthy by building public confidence in data integrity, equitable by ensuring data practices do not reinforce existing biases or digital divides, and transparent by making the underlying logic of data processing clear and accessible.

Participants can expect the collaboration to yield tangible outputs, including standardised glossaries, real-world case studies, and policy briefs, designed to provide clear pathways for researchers and institutions globally. By establishing these frameworks early, the BoF aims to set high expectations for collaborative engagement and long-term impact.

Spotlight: The Ethical Data Initiative (EDI)

A key highlight of the session will be a dedicated spotlight on the Ethical Data Initiative’s mission and current activities. As a central partner in this endeavour, the EDI will share insights into how its ongoing work and existing tools can be leveraged to enhance the BoF’s objectives. This segment will provide participants with a deeper understanding of EDI’s relevance to global data ethics debates and identify specific opportunities for collaboration.

By highlighting our experience, we aim to enhance coherence across disparate scientific infrastructures and strengthen the visibility of ethical considerations. Our goal is to ensure that ethics are treated as a primary requirement, rather than an afterthought, in both AI development and research data management. Identifying these areas of synergy allows the BoF to sit within an existing landscape of ethical discourse while significantly increasing the collective reach of our shared communities.

Join the Conversation

The session will conclude with a clear call to action and an overview of the proposed next steps for the group. This is intended to be an inclusive, cross-sector forum, and we invite all attendees—from data stewards and policymakers to AI developers—to contribute their expertise to this evolving initiative. The invitation to continue engagement reinforces our commitment to building momentum through subsequent meetings and future working sessions. We look forward to seeing you in March to help shape a more ethical and transparent data landscape.