From Attending to Belonging: Reflections from RDAP 2026

I am Yaoguang Li, a Research Services Librarian at the University of Connecticut, where I support research in agriculture, biology, and related fields. Attending the 2026 RDAP Summit was both inspiring and grounding, and it gave me new perspectives on how data services can better center community needs. At our institution, we do not currently have a designated data librarian, and data support is distributed across different units. Because of this, many of the conversations at RDAP felt especially relevant. They offered practical ways to build data services through collaboration, rather than relying on a single role or centralized structure.

One of my biggest takeaways this year was this: community is not just a concept, but a practice embedded in everyday work. In my consultations, I often see how data workflows, from collection to sharing, are shaped by human relationships and institutional contexts. The Summit pushed me to think more intentionally about meeting researchers where they are, rather than expecting them to adopt idealized workflows.

Two talks particularly stood out to me. “There’s No One Way to Learn Research Data Skills: Practical Lessons From Coordinating Library and IT Workshops” showed how Libraries and IT can collaborate to offer flexible, scalable training. What impressed me was how much they accomplished without formal mergers, focusing instead on shared goals, coordinated outreach, and common assessment practices. The second talk, “Collaboration between Libraries and IT Data Concierge: Bespoke RDM consulting for PIs”, deeply resonated with my own experience working with researchers. The “data concierge” model, meeting labs where they are and building tailored, iterative solutions, felt both realistic and impactful. It also highlighted something important: technical fixes are only part of the work. Supporting cultural change, decision-making, and the motivation to actually implement new workflows is just as critical.

There were so many memorable events at this summit. A particular one was the 2026 RDAP Summit Buddy Program. My mentor, Ali Krzton, helped set a welcoming tone from the start. Seeing her engaged in the business meeting and social sessions made me feel like I was part of the community, not just attending an event. Another standout for me was the shared notes across sessions. They were practical, but more importantly, they reflected a culture of collective knowledge-building. That spirit made the conference feel open and accessible, and it is something I hope to carry into my own teaching and outreach.

I was also struck by how many participants came from science backgrounds. As someone trained in genetics and breeding before transitioning into librarianship, I found this especially meaningful. It created a shared language and highlighted the important role of data professionals who bridge disciplinary expertise with data services. The conference theme, “Building on Experience: Centering Communities in Data Creation and Access”, encouraged me to think beyond technical solutions and consider the broader social and organizational dimensions of data work.

Overall, what I enjoyed most about the Summit was the openness of the community. People were willing to share ideas, challenges, and even unfinished thoughts. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend and look forward to continuing to learn from the RDAP community and contributing to its ongoing work in the future!