ELITMa: ELIXIR Training in Management

ELITMa logoEmpowering ELIXIR staff members

The ELIXIR network has grown significantly in recent years, with several new Nodes and Communities joining. To effectively support the planning and delivery of Node activities such as coordination, training, service provision, infrastructure management, events and communication, it’s essential to empower new and existing ELIXIR members in growing their skills and capacities. Members also need easy access to key information, including clear onboarding pathways to participate in the wide range of activities across ELIXIR.

In 2019, the ELITMa management training programme was initiated to address these needs – ELITMa modules are designed for ELIXIR Node staff. In 2023, five modules were delivered, covering topics such as governance, Node data management strategy, strategic management, financial management and project management. In the near future, the programme will offer ten modular training courses on operations and management, including technical management. These activities are part of the EU-funded ELIXIR-STEERS project and PeoplePulse, the internally-funded ELIXIR project.

By the Nodes, for the Nodes 

Experts from the Nodes develop, lead and deliver ELITMa modules to benefit all ELIXIR members. Each module has a dedicated contact person at the ELIXIR Hub, to ensure alignment of strategic goals between the Hub and Nodes. As part of the PeoplePulse Project, an ELITMa Steering Group will be set up, with representatives from the Hub and Nodes. This group will oversee and guide the content, development and integration of the growing ELITMa portfolio.

Current efforts focus on consolidating and rolling out existing modules, as well as designing, developing and delivering the newly-planned ones. This will involve collaboration between ELIXIR-STEERS and the PeoplePulse internal project. The team will also engage with the wider ELIXIR community, inviting colleagues to contribute their expertise to ELITMa module development. The course portfolio will be developed using Training Platform resources and best practices, and showcased in the Training Platform portal SPLASH – short for Skills, Professional development, Learning Assessment, Support and Help. The ELITMa development team will also coordinate with the Professionalising Careers in Research Infrastructures Focus Group. Please contact Celia van Gelder at celia.vangelder [at] health-ri.nl if you would like to contribute.

ELITMa module overview

Module 1: ELIXIR introduction and governance

  • The first course was developed and delivered in 2023. The next course will be delivered in 2025.
  • Course leads: Ana Teresa Freitas (ELIXIR Portugal), Ivana Versic (ELIXIR Hub)

Module 2: Node data management strategy

  • The first course was developed and delivered in 2023. The next course will be delivered in 2025.
  • Course leads: Mijke Jetten (ELIXIR Netherlands), Celia van Gelder (ELIXIR Netherlands), Fabio Liberante (ELIXIR Hub)

Module 3: Strategic management

  • The first course was initially developed for the EMMRI and delivered in 2023 as part of the OATEN Staff exchange, on Open access tools for effective management of ELIXIR Nodes, with a more operational approach. Current plans are on hold for this course.
  • Course lead: Juan Arenas (ELIXIR Hub)

Module 4: Leading teams in ELIXIR

  • The design of this module is ready. The team is currently looking for Nodes who would like to get involved in developing and delivering the module.
  • Course lead: Ivana Versic (ELIXIR Hub)

Module 5: Legal and ethics issues

  • This module will be designed early in 2025, and delivered in the first half of that year.
  • Course leads: Louiza Kalokairinou and Vera Herkommer (both ELIXIR Hub)

Module 6: Communication

  • The module was designed in 2023 and will be delivered in the context of PeoplePulse.
  • Course leads: Xènia Pérez Sitjà (ELIXIR UK), Elaine Harrison (ELIXIR Hub)

Module 7: Financial management

  • The first course was delivered in 2023 as part of the OATEN Staff exchange, on Open access tools for effective management of ELIXIR Nodes, following the introduction of this course in EMMRI. Currently on hold.
  • Course leads: Juan Arenas (ELIXIR Hub)

Module 8: Project management

  • The first course was delivered in 2023 as part of the OATEN Staff exchange, on Open access tools for effective management of ELIXIR Nodes. Currently on hold.
  • Course leads: Ana Portugal Melo (ELIXIR Portugal), Juan Arenas (ELIXIR Hub)

Module 9: Impact

  • The first course was delivered as part of the SPARKLE staff exchange. Further development is planned as part of People Pulse.
  • Course leads: Mariana Freitas (ELIXIR Portugal)

Module 10: Carbon footprint

  • The first course is currently being developed in collaboration with ELIXIR-STEERS and SPARKLE Staff exchange projects, involving Nodes from Portugal, Italy, Norway and the Hub.
  • Course leads: Ana Teresa Freitas (ELIXIR Portugal), Mariana Freitas (ELIXIR Portugal), Ingeborg Winge (ELIXIR Norway)

Note: The ELITMa programme was originally conceived with input from Ana Portugal Melo, whose early contributions were key to shaping ELITMa’s vision.

Find out more

For information about ELITMa modules, please contact the specific course lead/s.

  • ELITMa programme and portfolio: Celia van Gelder at celia.vangelder [at] health-ri.nl
  • Modules 1 and 4: Ivana Versic at ivana.versic [at] elixir-europe.org
  • Module 2: Mijke Jetten at mijke.jetten [at] health-ri.nl
  • Modules 3, 7 and 8: Juan Arenas at arenas [at] ebi.ac.uk
  • Module 5: Louiza Kalokairinou at louiza.kalokairinou [at] elixir-europe.org
  • Module 6: Xènia Pérez Sitjà at Xenia.Perez-Sitja [at] earlham.ac.uk
  • Module 9: Mariana Freitas at marianadefreitas [at] biodata.pt
  • Module 10: Ana Teresa at ana.freitas [at] tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Want to know more about the history of ELITMa? See a June 2024 webinar with a summary of ELITMa's history and next steps.