Digital research infrastructures have changed how scientific data are managed, shared and reused. However, increasingly data-intensive, interdisciplinary and AI-enabled science demands fresh thinking. What if we could reimagine research data infrastructure beyond today’s technologies, institutional structures and established ways of working?

Inspired by the legacy of Dr Michael Diepenbroek, a pioneer in research data infrastructure and open science, this session invites bold, unconventional, and even seemingly crazy ideas that could transform the future of research data infrastructure. Beyond his pioneering work with PANGAEA (https://www.pangaea.de/), Michael inspired collaboration, connected disciplines and helped shape the global research data community. This session aims to carry forward that spirit of curiosity, collaboration and thinking beyond boundaries.

We welcome provocative, forward-looking contributions covering four themes:
(1) Technology and Innovation: Exploring disruptive technologies, novel architectures and bold approaches including AI to building interconnected and future-ready data infrastructures.
(2) Data Practices and Standards: Rethinking data management, sharing, preservation and reuse beyond established FAIR, CARE, TRUST and open science practices.
(3) People and Capabilities: Reimagining skills, roles, cross-disciplinary collaboration and human–AI partnerships.
(4) Governance and Sustainability: Exploring transformative approaches to data ownership, trust, stewardship, institutional collaboration and funding models in response to shifting geopolitical, economic and societal landscapes.
(5) Resilience and Endurance: Envisioning innovative architectures, technologies and strategies to ensure research data infrastructures remain secure, interoperable, adaptable and operational over the long term.

We also encourage blue-sky ideas that may seem unrealistic today but could underpin tomorrow’s scientific advances. Ideas need not be fully developed or technically proven. Originality, ambition and the potential to challenge conventional thinking are especially welcome.