International Data Week is a highlight in the global data science landscape that brings together data scientists, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and data stewards from disciplines across the globe to celebrate and advance the role of data in science and society. With 807 delegates representing 75 countries, IDW 2025 truly embodied the spirit of international cooperation.
Hosting IDW 2025 in Oceania for the first time showcases the ARDC’s global leadership in research data and positions Australia as a key player advancing open science and innovation via international collaboration and research infrastructure visibility. IDW 2025 supports the ARDC’s strategy to provide Australian researchers with competitive advantage through data, and positioning Australia as a trusted global partner in research data, emphasising safe, secure, and ethical data flows, and contributing to global standards and infrastructure, particularly through the Research Data Alliance (RDA).
We’re sharing reflections from ARDC staff and delegates who attended the conference in October 2025. All the sessions were recorded and will be available to delegates for 3 months before they are available for open access on the ARDC YouTube channel.
From the moment delegates arrived, the atmosphere was alive with energy, collaboration and purpose. Over 4 inspiring days, we saw the global data community come together to explore new frontiers in data science, policy, infrastructure and innovation.
Held once every 2 years in a different host city around the world, 2025 was the first time this prestigious conference was held in Oceania. IDW 2025 combined the biennial Plenary Meeting of the Research Data Alliance (RDA), an international organisation working to develop and support global infrastructure facilitating data sharing and reuse, and SciDataCon 2025, the scientific conference addressing the frontiers of data in research organised by the International Science Council’s Committee on Data (CODATA) and World Data System (WDS).
The ARDC was well represented at the conference, from presenting in a number of sessions in collaboration with our partners, to chatting with delegates about our program, projects and services at the ARDC exhibition booth; and there were smaller ARDC touches throughout the event, down to the kookaburra bird call to signify the end of networking breaks.
Dr Rob Clemens, Skills Development Lead, ARDC, said, “The bird call comes from Xeno-canto in the Netherlands, a great example of international data sharing of wildlife sounds. ARDC’s Planet Research Data Commons is working on research infrastructure for ecoacoustics that’s part of global efforts to monitor biodiversity.”
IDW 2025 showcased how data can be used to address global challenges, foster collaboration and inclusion, and improve research quality and impact. Rosie Hicks, CEO, Australian Research Data Commons, said in the opening plenary, “We come together to share, learn and connect to solve the greatest challenges”.
Hosting IDW 2025 in Australia was especially significant for the region, providing a unique opportunity to engage the wider Asia-Pacific community and bring diverse voices into the global conversation on data. By anchoring the event in Australia, IDW 2025 served as a bridge connecting regional expertise with international networks, strengthening collaboration and inclusion across geographic and disciplinary boundaries.
To bring more Asia-Pacific voices into the fold, ARDC recruited and engaged 31 Regional Champions from Oceania and the wider Asia-Pacific. The Regional Champions were advocates for the conference who served as the faces of International Data Week 2025. Regional Champions played a vital role in supporting delegates to attend in person and in sharing the many benefits and opportunities of being part of IDW 2025 from New Zealand to South Korea, to Nepal to Singapore, Samoa to India and more.
Utami Diah Kusumawati, Data Journalism PhD student at RMIT University, thanked one of the Regional Champions, Madiareni Sulaiman, who encouraged her to attend IDW.
“During the last day of the 2025 IDW, I am feeling over the moon. The happiness not only comes from presenting our team working research paper… but realising how many people have worked hard, contributed and supported all of the process along the way. A little talk with Madiareni Sulaiman last year about attending IDW… [I’m so grateful] to be surrounded by these bright and talented people like them and meet with supportive networks and new data enthusiast colleagues around the world during the IDW”.
At IDW 2025 we introduced a Low to Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMIC) Grant to continue to facilitate accessibility, diversity and equity. 56 LMIC applications were received, and we were able to award 4 grants.
The Research Data Alliance facilitation of Targeted International Working Groups for EOSC-related Research solutions (RDA TIGER) opened two calls for travel grants to support participation at IDW 2025. The RDA TIGER Grants were available to delegates who are members of active Research Data Alliance Working Groups, who were from eligible countries.
Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Data Science (QUTCDS) offered a unique opportunity for IDW 2025 delegates to extend their visit through a short research stay with them on campus via their Distinguished Visitor Program.
The theme of IDW 2025 was Data for Positive Change: empowering communities and advancing research. The conference explored innovative ways to leverage data to empower communities, foster collaboration between researchers, policymakers, businesses and local stakeholders by showcasing successful initiatives. Through dialogue and knowledge sharing, the conference sought to build a future where data not only drives rigorous research but also uplifts communities and leads to sustainable change.
The four key plenary topics that were discussed within the overall theme of Data for Positive Change:
Rodrigo Roa, Executive Director at the Data Observatory in Chile, said, “[IDW 2025] reaffirmed that trustworthy, FAIR, and inclusive data governance is not just a technical agenda, it’s the foundation for science, innovation, and equitable development worldwide. As I reflected on the week, I felt a deep sense of connection between people, between disciplines and between regions working together for a shared purpose.”
A highlight for ARDC staff was the panel discussion with Alfred J.P. Lin, Niklas Labba and Marcia Langton chaired by ARDC’s CEO Rosie Hicks, which provided 3 different perspectives on the challenges of Indigenous data governance and existing and developing responses.
Kheeran Dharmawardena, Program Manager, Australian Dataspaces, ARDC, said, “There is a strong shift in the dialogue towards data sovereignty, indigenous governance of data and of course the inescapable topic of AI. But what is very striking to me is how much these dialogues have matured over the last few years.”
Dr Sandra Collins, Director from University College Dublin Library, said “I learnt a lot and really appreciated the focus on indigenous data governance, CARE principles, responsible research, and empowering the global data community for impact, equity and inclusion.”
Watch ARDC’s interview with Niklas Labba, Director of the International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT) and Sámi reindeer herder, as he discusses the balance between sharing and protecting data.
Bernadette Hyland-Wood from Queensland University of Technology said, “The work undertaken by International Data Week co-convenors, organisers and participants is vital for democracy, healthcare, education, media, policy, and other facets of our everyday life. I was reminded at IDW 2025 in Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia, of the value of local context, including research informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars, practitioners and community members.”
From powerful plenaries to lively breakout sessions, IDW 2025 was filled with memorable moments. Here’s a look at some of the numbers and highlights that defined this year’s event:
By the Numbers:
Standout Moments:
Natasha Simons, Director of National Coordination, ARDC, said, “Fun evening last night at Eat Street Social as part of International Data Week. Loved catching up with my fellow co-chairs…”
Seonyoung Kim, Senior Support Scientist and Data Librarian at Becker Medical Library, said, “Just got back from International Data Week 2025 in Brisbane. What an inspiring experience!… touching a koala and taking photos with a robot photographer were unforgettable touches that perfectly captured the event’s mix of humanity and innovation”
“Just got back from International Data Week 2025 in Brisbane. What an inspiring experience!… touching a koala and taking photos with a robot photographer were unforgettable touches that perfectly captured the event’s mix of humanity and innovation”
The stories, smiles and standout moments of IDW 2025 are ready to relive! Explore the IDW 2025 Photo Gallery.
Trish Radotic, Research Data Alliance (RDA) Regional Community Manager (Oceania & East Asia), said, “We leave IDW 2025 with an empowered community driven to advance research and solve the greatest societal challenges together; we leave with unforgettable memories of the people, fresh ideas, strengthened and new friendships”
“We leave IDW 2025 with an empowered community driven to advance research and solve the greatest societal challenges together; we leave with unforgettable memories of the people, fresh ideas, strengthened and new friendships”
As the curtain closes on Brisbane, the spotlight shifts to Africa, where the next International Data Week will take place in 2027.
This next chapter will continue to build on the legacy of IDW 2025 – connecting data communities, driving innovation and inspiring collaboration across continents. Stay tuned for more announcements on the host city, dates and theme, coming soon. We can’t wait to reconnect and continue this journey together.
Hear from Dr Tshiamo Motshegwa of the African Open Science Platform (AOSP), who is on the IDW 2027 organising committee:
The IDW spirit doesn’t end here! Continue connecting with our community and stay informed through our global partners and platforms. To be the first to know when the IDW videos are available to the public, subscribe to our ARDC Connect newsletter.
Join the conversation and see what happened on our LinkedIn page.
We would like to thank our co-conveners, partners and sponsors who helped make IDW 2025 a success.
The ARDC is Australia’s leading research data infrastructure, enabled by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
Do you have questions about this event? Contact us.
