Office German Data Forum (RatSWD) / KonsortSWD

Since 2004 the German Data Forum (RatSWD) advises the German federal government and the federal states (Länder) in matters concerning the research data infrastructure for the empirical social, behavioural, educational and economic sciences. The Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) is responsible for managing the business of the German Data Forum.

Within the German Data Forum, elected researchers work together with representatives from major data-producing institutions to develop recommendations for reliable framework conditions and the design of a sustainable research data infrastructure. It is committed to ensuring user-friendly, quality-assured and legally compliant access to sensitive research data.

In this capacity, the German Data Forum – as an advisory body to the Federal Government – strengthens empirical research as the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and contributes to the further development of Germany as a center of scientific excellence.

The German Data Forum is part of the Consortium for Social, Behavioral, Educational and Economic Sciences (KonsortSWD – NFDI4Society) in the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI).