Register for the Hybrid CaSDaR Data Stewardship Conference 2026
Registration is now open for the Hybrid Data Steward’s Conference 2026 hosted by Careers and Skills for Data-driven Research (CaSDaR), taking place on the 17th-18th November 2026 at the Midland Hotel in Manchester and online.
A year on from the launch of the Careers and Skills for Data-driven Research (CaSDaR) Network, this conference brings together the growing data stewardship community to share progress, showcase impact, and shape the next phase of activity.
As the volume and complexity of research data continues to increase, the need for skilled Data Stewards remains critical. Over the past year, CaSDaR has been working to strengthen recognition of the role, support professional development, and build a connected UK-wide community. This conference provides an opportunity to reflect on progress and contribute to what comes next.
Day one will focus on data stewardship in practice whereas Day two will highlight CaSDaR’s activities to date and allow delegates to have an impact in CaSDaR’s future and deliverables through engaging in parallel breakout sessions. A fuller agenda is provided below and on our website.
And, of course, the opportunity to meet Cassie and bag some of her swag!
Registration is open now – to find out more details and secure your spot check out the event on eventbrite.
Lightning talks and poster presentations
We are keen to showcase the ongoing work of people involved in Data Stewardship so we would like to encourage people to apply to give a lightning talk or a poster on day one of the conference (17th November 2026). Fill in this form to apply to present a lightning talk and fill in this form to apply to present a poster. The deadline to register to present a lightning talk or a poster is the 19th October 2026 with final decisions released on the 23rd October 2026.
Full Agenda for CaSDaR’s Data Steward Conference 2026
Day One: 17th November 2026, The Midland Hotel and online
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10:30 - 11:00 Coffee & registration
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11:00 - 11:10 Housekeeping & introduction to CaSDaR
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11:10 - 11.55 Keynote - Mijke Jetten (Health RI)
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11.55-12.15 Part 1: Changes in Data Stewardship across organisations and disciplines
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12:15 - 12:35 Poster presentations
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12:35 - 13:35 Lunch, networking & posters
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13:35 - 14.55 Part 2: Changes in Data Stewardship across organisations and disciplines (Ramiro Bravo (University of Manchester), Rob Cubey (RBG Edinburgh), Ilkay Holt and Revekka Kefalea (Risk Management Toolkit for Open GLAMs), Ben Thomas (HDR-UK))
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14.55 - 15:15 Coffee break, networking & posters
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15:15 - 15:35 Managing the future: assessing the roles of associations in the Higher Education landscape – UKRN representative
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15:35 - 16:35 Lightning talks
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16:35 - 16.50 Wrap up
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16.50-17.30 Check-in for overnight stays
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17:30 - 20:30 Drinks Reception & Dinner
Day Two: 18th November 2026, The Midland Hotel and online
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09:00 - 09:30 Coffee + pastries
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09:30 - 09:40 Welcome back & housekeeping
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09:40 - 10:00 Analysis of the first funding call
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10:00 - 11:00 Presentations from the 70K projects
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11:00 - 11:30 Coffee break, networking & posters
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11:30 - 12:00 Panel from the 5K projects
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12:00 - 12:15 Introducing breakout sessions
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12:15 - 13:15 Lunch, networking & posters
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13:15 - 14.45 Parallel breakout sessions to inform the future of CaSDaR
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14.45 - 15.00 Closing Remarks
Travel to the Venue
The Midland Hotel is located on Peter Street in Central Manchester, approximately half a mile from Manchester Piccadilly train station, postcode M60 2DS and What3Words ///obey.froth.forest
There is a free metrosuttle that links up major attractions in the city centre; for more information see here.
The hotel has an accessible entrance with ramps to the left and right of the entrance respectively.
For those arriving by car, parking arrangements can be found on the venue’s website.