RDA-US Community Gathering Agenda

Held Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at UC Washington DC Center (UCDC)

RDA-US Community Gathering 2026 is an open, in-person convening for anyone in the U.S. RDA community who will be participating in the Spring 2026 Virtual RDA Plenary or who is interested in reconnecting with colleagues, learning about current RDA activity, and helping shape the future of RDA-US. This event also serves as a DataCite Connect community meetup, bringing together DataCite members alongside RDA-US colleagues for shared programming, discussions, and networking.

While portions of the program are designed to support the 2026 RDA-US Cohort, the gathering itself is intentionally broader in scope.

All RDA-US members and friends are welcome to attend, join plenary sessions together, participate in discussions and networking activities, and engage with Working Groups, Interest Groups, and mentors. This event is meant to be a shared space for community connection, exchange, and collaboration alongside the global RDA meeting.

Register Now: please let us know you are joining us in DC. Also, don’t forget that registration for the RDA Virtual Plenary is also required!

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

All sessions are open to RDA-US community members, 2026 Cohort Members, DataCite members, and the general public unless otherwise noted.

9:00-9:30: Arrival and Coffee

  • Great time for networking and connecting with other RDA-US members

9:30-11:00: RDA Breakout Session 4 (Hybrid Event)

  • RDA-US Community Meeting: Celebrating member impact and anticipating future needs (BOF)
  • We will join the Birds of the Feather session that is part of the Virtual Plenary: “This session will give participants an understanding of how RDA-US is evolving, and how regional engagement with RDA can continue to be supported. Meeting attendees will gain insight into the current sustainability planning and the emerging vision for RDA-US.”

11:00-12:00  Open Discussion and Working Group Discussions

  • We will have structured time for further in-person discussion 

12:00-1:30  Lunch & RDA Plenary Session (watch together)

1:30-3:00  Community Panel and Discussion: Persistent Identifiers and Open Research Infrastructure

  • DataCite will convene a community panel on persistent identifiers and open research infrastructure, with time for informal breakout-group discussions. Panelists include Maria Levchenko (Community Specialist, DataCite), Cynthia Hudson Vitale (Associate Dean for Technology Strategy and Digital Services, Johns Hopkins University Libraries), and Maryam Zaringhalam (Senior Director of Policy, Center for Open Science).

3:00-6:00: Reception (drinks and light snacks)

  • Join RDA-US and DataCite for a casual networking reception following Day 1 to socialize with other community members and like-minded people.
  • All are welcome to attend! You do not need to be an RDA-US or DataCite member, and you do not need to attend the convening sessions to join!

Note: RDA Breakout Session 5 will take place from 6:30-8:00 pm. Attendees are encouraged to attend these sessions from their hotel or other accommodations. 

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

9:00-9:30:  Welcome & coffee 

9:30-11:00:  RDA Breakout Session 7 (Virtual)

  • Attendees will be able to join remotely to one of the breakout sessions happening this timeslot. (Make sure to bring your own laptop/headphones)

11:00-11:30: In-person Discussion & Mentor Meetups

  • We will have structured time for further in-person discussion and for our 2026 Cohort members to meet with established RDA-US members

11:30-12:15: RDA Networking Session

  • “Meet Your Match!” Log in from your own device to connect with RDA Plenary attendees through three rounds of small-group speed networking. Discover shared interests, exchange ideas, and make connections.

12:15-1:30  Lunch and Community Gathering Wrap-up

  • Lunch – catering available for attendees

1:30-3:00: Afternoon Cohort / Mentor engagement planning workshop 

  • We will have dedicated time on Wednesday afternoon for 2026 Cohort Members and their mentors to focus on building engagement plans for RDA participation. 
  • For 2026 Cohort Members and their mentors only.