The Establishment of The Portuguese Data Stewards Network

The Portuguese Data Stewards Network (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 was formally established in 2025 within the scope of the national consortium Re.Data. At the end of the year, the RPDS gathers 103 members registered from national competences centers, research institutions, university libraries, etc.

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 training and professionalisation of its members. The RPDS comprises a steering board of seven people from different institutions and roles with a functional structure geared towards sustainability and the consolidation of the group.

Three channels of communication were created: a dedicated page that brings together all information about RPDS (https://redata.pt/rede-portuguesa-de-data-stewards/), a mailing list (datastewards@lists.redata.pt), and a Discord channel (https://discord.gg/Y5XyRyCMhttps://discord.gg/zycY3N9tEc).

The programme defined for 2025 included: 1) a national survey whose objective was to map existing profiles, identify training and development needs, and understand the main challenges faced by these professionals in Portugal. We received a total of 118 valid responses; 2) the establishment of a working group to define data steward profiles relevant to recruitment processes; and 3) a workshop on the use of electronic research notebooks using eLabFTW software.

Meetings with members were held monthly and alternated between steering board meetings, formal RPDS presentation meetings, and thematic sessions.

This presentation introduces the Portuguese Network of Data Stewards, the path taken to formalise it, the programme defined for 2025, and the future sustainability plans for this network.