Speaker
Description
International Data Week 2027 (IDW2027) will be a premier global gathering on research data, jointly convened by the International Science Council’s Committee on Data (CODATA), the World Data System (WDS), and the Research Data Alliance (RDA). Hosting the RDA Plenary alongside key scientific and policy dialogues, the event will bring together 800 –1000 delegates in Cape Town, South Africa, from 19 to 25 September 2027, for a week of plenary sessions, workshops, exhibitions, and networking engagements.
IDW2027 aims to position South Africa as a leader in data-intensive research, cyberinfrastructure, and Open Science, while strengthening Africa’s integration into global data ecosystems. The conference will serve as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaboration, enabling researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to leverage emerging data technologies for socio-economic development.
By fostering international partnerships and promoting FAIR data principles, IDW2027 will enhance skills development in data science, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, particularly for African researchers. The event is expected to deliver lasting legacy benefits, including strengthened global collaborations, improved research infrastructure, and increased visibility of South Africa and the African continent as key contributors to data-driven innovation.
