HMC Conference 2024: Bringing Metadata into Focus!
From November 4-6, the HMC Conference 2024 brought together over 200 metadata professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts from 19 countries to explore the latest advancements in metadata under the theme "Bring the Meta to the Data!" Organized by the Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC), the event featured a dynamic program of 3 keynotes, 5 workshops, and 28 oral and 24 poster presentations. The conference emphasized the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and promoted cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Day 1 Highlights: Industry Insights on Metadata
The conference kicked off with a keynote by Tobias Hof from Airbus, who shared a unique industry perspective on metadata's evolving role in managing complex, global supply chains. Using aerospace as an example, Hof illustrated the necessity of reliable, transparent metadata and harmonized standards. His talk highlighted how open data practices can streamline workflows and inspire more efficient, collaborative ecosystems, both in industry and in research.
The day continued with oral presentations on foundational efforts in metadata standardization, semantic interoperability, and technical solutions for integrating metadata across diverse fields. Later on, poster presenters showcased innovative schemas for unifying experimental data, community-driven glossaries, and tools that make complex metadata systems more accessible and interoperable.
Day 2: A Glimpse into the Future of Metadata
Day 2 began with an energizing keynote by Ludwig Hülk, who tackled the future of metadata and the practical challenges in establishing robust standards that can evolve with changing scientific needs. Hülk discussed the essential elements for building adaptable metadata frameworks, drawing attention to the balance needed between standardization and flexibility. His talk sparked lively discussions on improving metadata frameworks to support collaboration while maintaining rigorous data standards.
Building on these ideas, the day’s presentations delved into collaborative approaches for managing metadata and ensuring data’s accessibility and usability. Topics ranged from enhancing interoperability in data-sharing platforms to refining metadata for specialized research fields, such as genomics, environmental science, and biomedical imaging. Speakers highlighted successful projects that demonstrate how metadata can bridge diverse research domains, from vertical data integration to real-time ingestion into digital models.
Closing out Day 2, Sandra Geisler delivered an inspiring keynote on the transformative potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) for Research Data Management (RDM). Geisler explored how AI tools can handle complex metadata tasks, such as data cleaning and automatic generation, paving the way for more efficient, scalable metadata systems. Her presentation left participants excited about the future possibilities of AI-enhanced metadata management.
Day 3: Interactive Workshops and Practical Skills
The final day of the conference was dedicated to interactive workshops, allowing participants to delve deeper into specific areas of metadata management. Workshop topics included implementing interoperable semantics, using FAIR assessment tools, and aligning metadata schemas with cutting-edge AI models. These hands-on sessions gave attendees practical experience with tools and methods, equipping them to apply metadata best practices effectively in their own work.
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of HMC Conference 2024
The HMC Conference 2024 successfully created a collaborative, forward-thinking environment for advancing metadata practices across disciplines. With high-impact keynotes, engaging talks and poster presentations, and hands-on workshops, the event fostered a shared commitment to making metadata management a cornerstone of open science. Attendees left equipped with new knowledge, strengthened networks, and renewed motivation to "bring the meta to the data" in their own work.
Join Us Next Year!
Breaking with the virtual format of the past three years, the HMC Conference 2025 will take place in person for the first time, from 12-14 May 2025, in Cologne. Join us as we continue to connect and collaborate on shaping the future of FAIR research data and metadata. Until then, stay tuned—and keep bringing the meta to the data!
All conference papers can be found in the Book of Abstracts. In addition, many contributions have also been published in our conference community section on Zenodo.
