Following Aix-Marseille University in 2024 and Paris-Saclay University in 2025, the University of Montpellier will host the 2026 edition of the National Research Data Forum (ANDOR). This event, scheduled for November 9-10, 2026, is organized by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space and will focus on the theme 'Research Data for Life'.
The aim of this forum is to bring together researchers, experts, and institutional stakeholders to strengthen the culture of research data, promote its sharing and reuse, and support public policies. These two days of exchange will explore the strategic role of scientific data in addressing major environmental, health, and societal challenges.
The first day, Monday, November 9, will feature the presence of Carole Drucker-Godard, rector of the Occitanie academic region, Véronique Stoll, national director for research data, Philippe Augé, president of the University of Montpellier, and representatives from the CNRS and Inria.
Éric Servat, honorary director of the UNESCO International Centre ICIREWARD, will open the forum with a conference titled 'Water Science Data: A Strategic Resource for Knowledge and Action'. A panel discussion will address the contribution of scientific data to public policy development, and the day will conclude with the presentation of open science awards.
On Tuesday, November 10, discussions will continue with a panel on 'Doing Science Together: What Rules for Citizen Data?', examining the role of data generated through participatory science and research, as well as the conditions for its use and sharing. The issue of global health research data will also be addressed, with participation from Pascal Demoly, professor at the University of Montpellier and Montpellier University Hospital.
The afternoon will be dedicated to environmental issues, with conferences on data sharing and observation infrastructures in the face of natural resource degradation and desertification, as well as the use of interdisciplinary knowledge for monitoring and managing forests.
Hosting this forum aligns with the University of Montpellier's strategy for open science and research data management, notably through the Montpellier Data Science Institute (ISDM) and the EcoDoR data workshop.
Practical information: The forum will take place on Monday, November 9, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Institute of Botany of the University of Montpellier, located at 163, rue Auguste-Broussonnet. The full program and registration details are available at https://andor2026.sciencesconf.org/.
