Join us for three days of creativity, innovation and collaboration at the HDR UK & ELIXIR-UK Joint Hackathon. We are bringing together UK professionals in health data and life sciences to tackle shared technical challenges across the ecosystem.

Have an idea that needs a little push? Suggest your project for a chance to engage in intensive brainstorming, hands-on coding and true networking.

• Proposal submission deadline: 27 September 2024, 5 PM BST
• Notification of acceptance: 18 October 2024
• Registration opens: TBC – October 2024

What to expect

Scope
Engage in action-packed sessions where your ideas can come to life, or be part of a team that makes it possible. Projects should align with HDR UK and/or ELIXIR-UK‘s missions and technical priorities.

Goals

• Innovate together: advance the development of an open-source infrastructure for data integration and analysis.
• Collaborate and connect: bring together technical professionals in health informatics and bioinformatics to work on common interests.
• Strengthen bonds: increase collaboration between  ELIXIR-UK and HDR UK technologists to tackle shared challenges. 
• Create impact: form lasting collaborations that have the potential to deliver solutions to accelerate scientific discoveries.

Who should attend

The Hackathon is designed for a diverse range of participants, including but not limited to:

• Health data and life science researchers and technologists: engage with peers, share your expertise, and collaborate on your projects or those of others.
• Non-technical roles: strategic thinkers, engagement specialists, trainers, coordinators, and other technical non-coding professionals are essential to driving projects forward.
• Early-career researchers: join as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, build your network, and contribute to significant projects.

Everyone passionate about advancing health data and life sciences is welcome, regardless of technical background. Bring your unique skills and perspectives to help shape diverse solutions to varied challenges. 

Project submissions

Each proposal should have at least two leads and include:

• Names, affiliations, and email addresses of the leads
• A project description (max. 500 words)
• In the description, please include how the project aligns with the mission and technical priorities of HDR UK and/or ELIXIR-UK
• Details on the sources and types of data that will be used, if data are required

Submit to: [email protected] 

You can find out more about current technical activities at HDR UK, ELIXIR-UK and ELIXIR Europe from their websites, for example:

• HDR UK: Research Data Infrastructure
• ELIXIR-UK: What we do
• ELIXIR Europe: What we do

The Hackathon Programme Committee will review submissions for scope, feasibility and relevance to HDR UK or ELIXIR-UK.  Similar projects may be merged for greater impact.

Members of the Programme Committee:

• Chris Milner, HDR UK
• Chris Orton, Swansea University
• Krzysztof Poterlowicz, University of Bradford
• Mita Vaghji, HDR UK
• Nick Juty, University of Manchester
• Nicola Soranzo, Earlham Institute, ELIXIR-UK
• Phil Quinlan, University of Nottingham
• Ruth Milne, HDR UK
• Tim Beck, University of Nottingham (Chair)
• Xènia Pérez Sitjà, Earlham Institute, ELIXIR-UK

Registration

Following project selection, registration will open for participants. Please note that spaces for participation are limited.

Registration for the Hackathon will open in October.

Project leads will be invited to pre-register beforehand. 

Expenses and funding

• Registration: Free
• Travel and accommodation: Self-funded
• Catering: Complimentary coffee breaks, lunch, and dinner

Registration for the HDR UK & ELIXIR-UK Joint Hackathon is free. However, you are expected to cover your own travel and accommodation expenses. Catering is provided and includes coffee breaks, lunches and dinners. More information will be published as it becomes available.

To maximise collaboration and the value of on-site interaction, participants are expected to stay on-site for the full duration of the event.

HDR UK is offering a number of travel and accommodation grants to support participant attendance from outside the Institute’s strategic programmes, particularly early-career researchers. Please get in touch with us to learn more and discuss your eligibility.