Leibniz Science Campus: Digital Transformation of Research

The digital transformation of research affects both academia and society as such. It comprises the adaptation of epistemological processes as well as the transparency and communication of findings. New data-driven methods not only open up innovative approaches for knowledge generation, but also raise legal, ethical and societal questions. Within the newly established Leibniz ScienceCampus “Digital Transformation of Research” (DiTraRe) we investigate the effects of the increasing digitalisation of scientific work in four research clusters, in which interdisciplinary teams of researchers, computer scientists, lawyers and sociologists work together. Based on specific challenges (use cases), the research clusters aim to develop practical solutions. In the next step, we try to apply these solutions to further use cases and thus generalise them iteratively. In the cluster “Protected data spaces”, we analyse the use of sensitive data in sports science. The cluster “Smart data acquisition” deals with Smart Lab technology such as Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Electronic Lab Notebooks like Chemotion. The cluster “AI-based knowledge realms” focusses on artificial intelligence and machine learning in biomedical simulation and engineering. The topic of “Publication cultures” are changes in scientific publishing due to new challenges like the publication of large datasets with a use case originating in climate research. In addition to the research clusters, the ScienceCampus includes four dimensions that consider cross-cutting topics on a meta-level, for example in the areas of legal and ethical challenges, security, tools or resonance and reflection. The last dimension in particular expands the view from science to society and how society perceives the changes in science. This concerns trust and credibility of scientific findings as well as citizen science and the assessment of the value of research for society. In our contribution, we will present the concept of a Leibniz ScienceCampus and the specific characteristics of DiTraRe. One focus will be the interface between natural sciences and engineering on the one hand and sociology, technology assessment, law and ethics on the other. We will report on our experiences with the chosen interdisciplinary and multi-layered approach and present the first results of our work with a focus on current challenges, namely compare current practices of publication, organisation and data management in different research disciplines, assess current and future risks, e.g. in the field of data privacy and security, anticipate and assess changes induced by AI, with a particular focus on the impact of generative AI and large language models (LLMs), and design of transdisciplinary exchange on research data using innovative science communication formats towards citizens and science-society intermediaries, e.g. science journalists.