ZAC7 Abstracts – Special Sessions

Ever lost a dataset? Spent hours searching for a file that should exist somewhere? Or realised too late that you forgot to document something important? You’re not alone. In this interactive session, the Research Data Service shows you how to take back control. You’ll get hands-on advice for managing your research data — from proper file naming and storage to metadata documentation and sharing — all tailored to real-world tropical marine research. Then it’s game on: in the Tropical LEGO® Metadata for Reproducibility Game, participants work with actual LEGO models to explore how good (or bad) metadata affects reproducibility. Can you reconstruct the original without proper documentation? Spoiler: probably not. Fun, hands-on, and highly practical — because your data deserves better.

This interactive workshop session explores the often-overlooked topic of research failures and setbacks. Participants will discuss methods, experiments, or partnerships that did not work out as planned, identify common pitfalls, and extract lessons for future endeavors. The session aims to create a safe space for honest reflection on challenges and to foster a culture of learning from failure.

Central questions we want to address during our workshop session:

Which methods / experiments / partnerships did not work out the way they were planned?

Are there patterns / common pitfalls to observe?

What can we learn for future endeavors?

Where, how, and with whom can we have these conversations and follow-ups?

This panel discussion explores how regional approaches can drive transformative change toward sustainability in coastal zones. Panelists will discuss the role of regional governance, knowledge networks, and collaborative initiatives in addressing complex coastal challenges. The conversation will examine success stories and obstacles in regional cooperation, and explore how regions can serve as laboratories for testing innovative solutions that can be scaled up or transferred to other contexts.

The discussion will address questions such as: How can regional networks facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building? What governance structures support effective regional collaboration? How do regional initiatives navigate tensions between local autonomy and coordinated action? What role can science play in supporting regional transformation processes?

Drawing on experiences from tropical coastal regions around the world, this session aims to identify principles and practices that can strengthen regional approaches to sustainability challenges.