On September 2, 2025, the 18th German University Law Day took place in Hannover’s historic Old Town on the topic of “Research Data Management – Legal Framework and Design Options.” The traditional Leibnizhaus, now used by Leibniz University Hannover as an event venue, provided a historic backdrop for the conference.
The University Law Day is an annual symposium held alternately in Erlangen, Cologne, Bonn, and Hannover. It aims to address current issues of university law, to discuss them with experts, and to develop practical concepts.
Welcome
At the beginning, Prof. Dr. Volker Epping, President of Leibniz University Hannover, welcomed the guests. He called for a conference rich in argument, the results of which may also be significant for higher education policy. Prof. Dr. Claas Friedrich Germelmann subsequently outlined the legal scope of the topic, before Prof. Dr. Margrit Seckelmann explained the structure of the program.
Presentations
The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Sören Auer, Director of TIB and head of the Data Science and Digital Libraries research group. He highlighted the technical dimensions of research data management, referred to a “flood of publications,” and suggested ways in which this challenge can be addressed. He especially emphasized the opportunities provided by large language models and knowledge graphs. With ORKG and ORKG.ask he presented platforms designed to support researchers in the organization and evaluation of scientific data.
Prof. Dr. Margrit Seckelmann then introduced the legal aspects with the metaphor of a “data treasure,” and discussed the “treasure hunt” for viable solutions. She addressed how research data can be understood as a valuable resource—and what legal frameworks (for example GDPR, Data Governance Act, and Data Act) should be considered. Her central concern: a sustainable data governance that unites protection and use.
After lunch, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Büchner, sociologist and managing director of the Institute of Sociology at LUH with a focus on “Sociology of Digitalization,” presented findings from her research on data protection in research projects. She drew particular attention to the intrinsic complexity of data protection: many issues arise because researchers do not receive enough support from transparent infrastructures. She concluded with seven suggestions for how better support could be provided.
Project Presentation
During the coffee break, Dr. Friederike Knoke and M. A. Tim Albrecht presented their project “FODAHEMM – Academic Freedom vs. Data Protection”. This research project, funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture, examines in an interdisciplinary way how legal barriers can be reduced in everyday research practice.
Discussion and Conclusion
The closing session of the substantive program was a panel discussion, with the group of speakers joined by Barbara Thiel, former Data Protection Commissioner of Lower Saxony and Of Counsel at lexICT. Prof. Dr. Germelmann, who moderated the panel, first addressed questions to the participants and then opened the discussion to the audience.
Photo Gallery
A photo gallery with impressions from the event can be found here.
Outlook
The 18th German University Law Day has shown how multifaceted debates on research data management are – from technology to law to sociology. The lively discussions in Leibnizhaus also demonstrated the ongoing need for exchange and for working out solutions together.
The organisers thank all contributors and participants for their dedication and interest before and during University Law Day, which made this year's event so successful.
This year, the event also gratefully acknowledges support from
- zukunft.niedersachsen, the joint science funding programme of the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation,
- the Association for the Promotion of German & International Law of Science, and
- the publishers C. F. Müller and Nomos.
Written by Tom Cirksena.
