Improving data sharing in nutritional science: a symposium report of challenges, opportunities, and best practice recommendations
Lauren Danielle Devine, Martina Rooney, Yashvee Dunneram, Eileen R. Gibney, Kiera McNeice, Douglas Taren, Frederik Moller, Heli Reinivuo, Ellen Trolle, Mikael Fogelholm, Kirsi Laitinen, Bernard M. CorfeAbstract
This paper summarises the proceedings from two symposia (IUNS-ICN, 2025 and a FENS Task Force Northern Europe Networking webinar, 2025) convened to discuss the status of data sharing in nutritional science, with a focus on the challenges, opportunities, and solutions for achieving future best practice and available nutrition-related data and exemplar collaborations. Improved data sharing practices offer the potential to enhance research efficiency and impact. Despite this, data sharing is constrained by structural, cultural, and methodological barriers. Challenges include institutional/geographical data fragmentation, dataset heterogeneity, time- and resource-intensive requirements, GDPR/consent considerations, and publication-focused academic incentives over data stewardship. Opportunities include the exploration of new research questions, reduced data duplication, and more robust, conclusive, and equitable science. Transitioning toward effective data sharing practices will require coordinated action across academic institutions, the research community, funders, and publishers, including clear training, incentives, policies, and an overall cultural shift toward open science.