Connecting Imaging Minds Worldwide: Euro-BioImaging Image Data Community Days 2025

The first-ever Euro-BioImaging Image Data Community Days, held online from April 7–11, 2025, concluded with resounding success, providing a dynamic platform for participants to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and explore emerging solutions in the rapidly evolving field of bioimaging. By drawing together a diverse global audience this event created a valuable space for sharing ideas and exploring new tools.

“The enthusiasm and engagement from the community were truly inspiring."

Aastha Mathur, Head of Image Data Services at Euro-BioImaging

A week of engagement, learning and knowledge exchange

With 495 participants from 40 countries, the five day event actively engaged a diverse group of researchers, imaging facility staff, data managers, students, and industry representatives. The event’s 28 hour long program featured 62 expert talks, hands-on workshops and community building opportunities, attracting an average of 130 participants per session. Attendees explored important topics including FAIR data principles, preclinical and medical image data, high-performance computing for image analysis, next-generation file formats, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in bioimaging.

Highlights of the program included deep dives into high-performance computing for image analysis and hands-on demonstrations of the OME-Zarr file format and image analysis workflow tools. One of the attendees favorite was the image-analysis themed Virtual Pub and attached Tool-Exchange where participants discovered innovative image analysis tools through engaging flash talks. Building on the foundation of previous events such as the “Guide to FAIR BioImage Data” workshops, the Community Days underscored Euro-BioImaging’s commitment to promote FAIR data practices and build a sustainable, interoperable ecosystem for image data sharing. The event also brought attention to the pivotal role of data stewards and other data-centric positions for increasing the impact of bioimaging research. Altogether, the event provided an invaluable platform for the bioimaging community to connect, share knowledge, and explore the latest developments in imaging data.

Accessibility of resources

The event’s open format encouraged networking and community building, with attendees from across the globe sharing experiences and strategies for tackling the challenges of modern bioimage data research.  Attendees of the Euro-BioImaging Image Data Community Days 2025 rated the overall experience and quality of the content very positively. Feedback highlighted the event’s rich program of workshops, talks, and interactive discussions as highly beneficial for participants of all levels. 

“This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the image data community and to gain knowledge that can be applied to your own work.”

Participant of Image Data Community Days

In addition to the live sessions, the community compiled and shared a comprehensive list of 100 useful resources, platforms and tools gathered throughout the week. To ensure lasting impact and wider accessibility, video recordings of most sessions are now available on YouTube, allowing those who could not attend to benefit from the valuable information presented.

Looking ahead

Building on this year’s momentum, the next edition of the Euro-BioImaging Image Data Community Days is planned for 2026. Responding to valuable attendee feedback, organizers are committed to incorporating more hands-on sessions to enhance practical learning and engagement. As the event concluded both organisers and participants expressed confidence that future editions will continue to strengthen global connections and support collaboration across the image data community.

“The success of this year’s event demonstrates the strength and potential of our community. By working together and sharing our expertise, we can overcome challenges more effectively and drive the field of bioimaging forward”

Antje Keppler, Section Director of Euro-BioImaging Bio-Hub

Send us your wishes and ideas for the next edition to fairdata@eurobioimaging.eu

Contributed by Isabel Kemmer, FAIR Image Data Steward at Euro-BioImaging