"Beyond Compliance: Human-Centered FAIR Data Tools & Management

The FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles are transforming research data management, yet a critical challenge persists—many FAIR-enabling tools are developed without meaningful engagement from the researchers and data stewards who are meant to use them. As a result, these tools face low adoption rates, slow uptake, and usability barriers that hinder their intended impact. Existing Research Data Management (RDM) solutions—such as Dataverse, FAIRDOM, FAIRsharing, COSCINE, iRODS, RO-Crate, and DataCite Metadata Schema—offer valuable functionalities. However, they often suffer from rigid designs, domain insensitivity, and steep learning curves, making them inaccessible or impractical for diverse research communities. The missing piece? Human-centered design and stakeholder-driven development. This poster highlights the need for a paradigm shift in FAIR tool development, advocating for user-centered strategies that integrate researchers, data stewards, and domain experts throughout the design process. We propose a roadmap for a FAIR metadata tool that prioritizes:- Stakeholder Co-Design – Engaging users early through participatory design and iterative prototyping.- Domain-Specific Adaptability – Allowing customization of metadata standards for different research fields.- Automation & Interoperability – Leveraging AI- assisted metadata suggestions and seamless integrations with existing platforms.- Intuitive & Seamless UX – Simplifying metadata workflows to encourage adoption and compliance.- Scalability & Expandability – Ensuring the tool can grow with evolving research needs and integrate seamlessly with existing RDM platforms. By embedding human actors at the core of FAIRification efforts, we can create tools that are not only FAIR in principle but also fair in practice—usable, adaptable, and embraced by the research community. This poster invites discussions on building a truly user-centered FAIR ecosystem that moves beyond checkboxes toward genuine usability and impact.