The Leibniz ScienceCampus “Digital Transformation of Research” (DiTraRe) has launched a groundbreaking initiative focused on integrating digital technologies into research, with a goal of enhancing accessibility, transparency, and societal impact. This interdisciplinary project, launched in September 2023, is a collaboration between FIZ Karlsruhe and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). DiTraRe seeks to not only advance digital tools in scientific research but also to address ethical, legal, and social implications of the digital transformation, ensuring that results are comprehensible and usable by both the scientific community and the public.
DiTraRe is organized into four research clusters that tackle specific aspects of digital transformation in science: Protected Data Spaces, Smart Data Acquisition, AI-Based Knowledge Realms, and Publication Cultures.
Protected Data Spaces: This cluster develops methods for securely handling sensitive research data, such as patient or health-related information. By creating secure, privacy-focused repositories, DiTraRe aims to enable innovative research that requires careful handling of personal data, particularly in fields like sports science.
Smart Data Acquisition: By enhancing digital data collection and analysis, DiTraRe seeks to streamline lab processes and improve data quality. For instance, through the Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) “Chemotion,” researchers can capture and automate lab data, reducing time on documentation and ensuring high-quality, structured datasets.
AI-Based Knowledge Realms: Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, this cluster focuses on generating scientific insights more rapidly. AI-based systems, for example, can assist biomedical research by detecting patterns in cardiovascular data, potentially identifying disease risk factors early. DiTraRe emphasizes the development of AI systems that are both effective and ethically responsible, balancing innovation with public trust.
Publication Cultures: In the digital era, research dissemination has expanded beyond traditional journals to include data, software, and other outputs. DiTraRe is working on new publishing models that make data from fields such as climate science more accessible, fostering transparency and allowing research to be applied practically more quickly.
Through these clusters, DiTraRe is working to ensure that digital transformation not only enhances research capabilities but also has a tangible, positive impact on society. The project’s research results in fields like climate science and health aim to improve diagnostics, enable faster adoption of new technologies, and promote easier access to research findings.
As the project progresses, DiTraRe will continue to explore how digital transformation can benefit society while addressing the associated risks, providing a valuable framework for future scientific and societal advancements.
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