A Researcher’s Journey: Navigating Interdisciplinary Science with ENVRI RDIs and Tools

Modern research environments are becoming increasingly complex, driven by the explosion of data volume and variety, the demands of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the proliferation of competing standards and emerging technologies. Adding to this complexity is a dramatic shift in the user community: a new generation of researchers with distinct skillsets, needs, and expectations has replaced the users for whom many Research Data Infrastructures (RDIs) were originally designed. The transition from an infrastructure-centric approach to a data-driven paradigm has created new challenges and opportunities that we are only beginning to fully understand.

This presentation follows the journey of Dr. Reese Arch (got it?), a fictional researcher tackling the challenge of integrating marine biodiversity and atmospheric datasets to model ecosystem responses to climate change. Through Reese’s experience, we explore how ENVRIs, ENVRI Hub, Virtual Research Environments (VREs), and tools can empower researchers while highlighting the barriers that still exist. Reese’s story captures the realities of modern science: successes like FAIR-compliant tools and semantic alignment, and frustrations such as overly complex workflows, and siloed systems.

A dedicated "Complaint Box" captures the key pain points voiced by researchers, from tool integration challenges to the cognitive load of navigating fragmented infrastructures. These frustrations highlight the gap between user needs and existing solutions, underscoring the importance of co-designed tools and community-driven innovation.

The narrative emphasizes how ENVRI is addressing these challenges by fostering interoperability, streamlining workflows, and empowering researchers through tailored VREs and support networks. Dr. Reese’s journey serves as a mirror for the research community, showcasing both the progress made and the need for collective action to bridge gaps in next-generation research infrastructures.

Join us to explore how ENVRI is turning the increasing complexity of research into an opportunity to create an interconnected, sustainable RDI ecosystem where interdisciplinary science thrives.