RDA 27th Plenary Meeting (P27)

The Research Data Alliance 27th Plenary Meeting (P27) will take place in London, United Kingdom as an in-person event, 6-8 October 2026. P27 will be hosted by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the UK’s largest public research funder.

Under the theme ‘Shaping a global open research commons‘, RDA P27 will bring the global RDA community together to explore how we can collectively build a strong, connected, and sustainable open research ecosystem. Digital research infrastructures are essential to modern research and innovation. They connect researchers and innovators with the data, tools, computing resources, and skills needed to drive discovery. Read more about the theme

A statement from Hilary Hanahoe, RDA Secretary General

We recognise this format marks a significant shift from recent practice and may prevent some community members from participating – a decision we have not taken lightly.

Since 2020, RDA plenary meetings have been either fully virtual or hybrid, ensuring broad accessibility during and beyond the pandemic. P27 represents a deliberate pilot of a new approach: pairing an in-person plenary in the second half of each year with a fully virtual plenary in the first half. This model aims to balance the distinct benefits of both formats whilst ensuring equitable opportunities for engagement throughout the year. Read more