Registration is now open for the fourth annual RCD Nexus Day, a one-day workshop and networking event for research computing and data (RCD) professionals on Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM preceding the PEARC25 Conference in Columbus, Ohio.
RCD Nexus Day is an official PEARC co-located event with no additional cost to attend. Attendees must be registered for PEARC25 and wearing their conference badge. The event will be held at the main conference venue, the Greater Columbus Convention Center. A limited amount of travel support will be available for attendees who could not otherwise attend the PEARC25 conference.
Attendees will select one of two specialized tracks:
Future Creating Workshop for RCD Professionals
Building on last year’s RCD Nexus Day workshop “What We’re Facing as RCD Professionals”, this interactive workshop will engage Research Computing and Data (RCD) professionals in a structured Future Creating Workshop to address workforce development challenges. Participants will work through three phases: identifying barriers, envisioning ideal futures, and developing actionable solutions for RCD professional development. Organized into cohorts based on professional focus (data-facing, system-facing, research-facing, strategy/policy professionals, and emerging centers), the session will produce concrete recommendations tailored to different career stages. Outcomes will directly contribute to developing resources for early-career professionals and strengthening the national RCD community. NSF SCIPE awardees and professionals from diverse institutional contexts are especially encouraged to participate.
Refreshing and Refining the CaRCC Capabilities Model Questions
The 2025 Nexus Day Capabilities Model workshop will refresh and refine the CaRCC Capabilities Model questions to ensure their continued relevance and applicability across diverse organizational structures, including R1s, R2s, and smaller institutions. By leveraging input from a wide range of subject matter experts (SMEs), we will:
- Refresh and enhance the Capabilities Model questions to ensure they remain relevant, clear, and effective.
- Identify and fill gaps by incorporating new areas or topics that reflect the evolving needs of diverse institutions, including R1s and R2s as well as smaller and non-academic organizations.
- Create a more robust and inclusive tool that accurately captures the challenges and priorities of the broader research community.
Participants will help shape the future of the Capabilities Model, ensuring it best meets the needs of their institutions and communities. You’ll share insights and collaborate with peers to develop a stronger, more comprehensive tool that supports research institutions of all sizes.
2025 RCD Nexus Day Schedule
Room locations to be announced
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center
- 8:00 AM: Check-in opens, full breakfast, and networking
- 9:00 AM: RCD Nexus Day Opening Session
- 9:15 AM: Divide into tracks
- 10:30 AM: Coffee Break (15 minutes)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch (all attendees)
- 1:00 PM: Return to tracks
- 2:15 PM: Networking Break (20 minutes, all attendees)
- 3:50 PM: Workshops conclude (First Time Attendee session begins at 4pm)
- 5:00-6:30 PM: Networking event – Stories on High Rooftop Lounge in the Hilton Hotel