2026 NSF Workshop on Research Data Management in Construction Engineering: Challenges and Opportunities
May 07–08, 2026 | Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
About the Workshop
This workshop, supported by NSF CI PAOS program (Award No. 2541825), aims to identify challenges and opportunities in research data management in the construction (RDMC) research community. In recent years, a huge amount of computational research data has been collected and produced in the construction research community, such as visual data (e.g., images/videos of sites), Building Information Models (BIM), and infrastructure asset data. This digitalization trend creates challenges to the research data accessibility, discoverability, reproducibility, and sustainability for the community. This interdisciplinary two-day event will bring together leading scholars and industry professionals to identify the roadmap of RDMC and foster collaboration between construction and open science communities to promote FAIR data practices and advance NSF’s Public Access Initiative.
Discussion Themes:
The workshop will explore four themes: 1. Technical and social challenges of RDMC; 2. RDMC best practices and ethics; 3. RDMC security, sharing, and lifecycle management; 4. Building collaborations among construction, open science, and NSF CI communities. Various topics will be discussed.
Intended Participants:
The workshop is designed for a diverse group of stakeholders involved in generating, managing, or using research data in the construction domain, including academic researchers in construction, civil and infrastructure engineering, computer science, and information science; early-career scholars and students interested in advancing RDMC practices; industry professionals such as technology developers, engineering firms, contractors, and asset owners; data and cyberinfrastructure experts working in areas like data curation, cybersecurity, digital twins, and AI/ML model management.
Mode:
In-person only; no hybrid option.
Application
Applications are welcome from individuals who wish to attend the workshop at their own expense. Due to the limited funding, we will not provide travel support. There is no registration fee, and meals will be provided for all participants. Please use the portal below to submit your application. We will notify applicants of decisions by the end of February 2026.
Important Dates
Speaker and Program Finalized
Jan 31, 2026
Registration Deadline
February 28, 2026
Participants Notification
March 23, 2026
Conference Dates
May 07–08, 2026
Workshop Program
Invited Speakers and Panelists
Edward R. Griffor, Associate Director, CPS, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Lucio Soibelman, Fred Champion Chair in Engineering and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California
Yu Chen, Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Binghamton University
Yong Kwon Cho, Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Mani Golparvar Fard, Professor in Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Carrie S. Dossick, John E. Schaufelberger Endowed Professor in Construction Management, University of Washington, Seattle
Qingbin Cui, Professor in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Nitin Sukhija, Professor in Department of Computing and Security and the director of the Center for Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing (C2AC), Slippery Rock University
Taeho Jung, Associate Professor in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame
Zhenhua Zhu, Associate Professor in Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Pingbo Tang, Associate Professor in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Dong Zhao, Associate Professor in Construction Management, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University
Agenda – Day 1
Thursday, May 07, 2026
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 – 08:50 | Breakfast and Registration | |
| 08:50 – 09:05 | Opening Remarks | |
| 09:05 – 09:20 | Self-Introduction | |
| 09:20 – 09:50 |
Keynote Speech 1: Title: TBD, Lucio Soibelman | |
| 09:50 – 10:20 |
Keynote Speech 2: Title: TBD, Yu Chen | |
| 10:20 – 10:40 | Break and Coffee Session | |
| 10:40 – 11:40 | Panel Discussion 1 | |
| 11:40 – 13:00 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:00 – 13:30 |
Keynote Speech 3: Title: TBD, Edward R. Griffor | |
| 13:30 – 14:00 |
Keynote Speech 4: Title: TBD, Mani Golparvar Fard | |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Panel Discussion 2 | |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Break and Coffee Session | |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Group Breakdown & Discussion of Four Topics | |
| 16:30 – 17:30 | Panel Discussion 3 | |
| 17:30 – 18:30 | TBD; Campus Tour | |
| 18:30 – 19:30 | Reception |
Agenda – Day 2
Friday, May 08, 2026
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast and Registration | |
| 09:00 – 09:30 |
Keynote Speech 5: Title: TBD, Carrie S. Dossick | |
| 09:30 – 10:00 |
Keynote Speech 6: Title: TBD, Teaho Jung, | |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Break and Coffee Session | |
| 10:30 – 11:10 | Each Group Reports Discussion Findings | |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | TBD | |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Closing Remarks & Wrap-Up | |
| 13:30 – 14:00 | Transport to Airport |
Venue
The RDMC Workshop will be hosted at the Memorial Union Building (MUB) at Michigan Technological University Campus. The MUB is centrally located on campus and offers modern meeting facilities, dining services, and scenic views of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Workshop Spaces
- MUB Ballroom – Primary space for workshop meetings serves 100 guests.
- Alumni Lounge – Dining space and receptions serves 50 guests.
Campus Map
Explore the Michigan Tech campus and Memorial Union Building location using the link below:
📍 Open Michigan Tech Campus MapLodging & Transportation Information
Please see below for the convenient lodging and transportation for you to attend this workshop. The workshop participants will receive a special discount from Hampton Inn & Suites. And we will provide shuttle service from Hampton Inn to Michigan Tech Campus.
Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX)
Address: 23810 Airpark Blvd Suite 113, Calumet, MI 49913
Phone: +1 (906) 482-3970
Childcare & Family Care Resources
Convenient and trusted childcare facilities near Michigan Technological University for workshop participants with families:
Little Huskies Child Development Center
Address: 500 MacInnes Dr, Houghton, MI 49931
Phone: +1 (906) 487-3528
Parking Assistance
Find essential information for traveling to Michigan Technological University and getting around Houghton, MI.
Parking Finder: ParkMobile App
Visitor parking is available near the Memorial Union Building (MUB) and other designated visitor lots.
Places to Visit Nearby
Explore scenic natural areas and local attractions around Houghton, MI.
Travel Guide Websites:
• TripAdvisor – Things to Do in Houghton
• Michigan.org – Visit Houghton
• Visit Keweenaw – Explore Houghton
Organization Committee
Bo Xiao, Assistant Professor, Michigan Technological University (Chairperson)
Ronghua (Sam) Xu, Assistant Professor, Michigan Technological University (Co-Chair)
Vinh Nguyen, Assistant Professor, Michigan Technological University (Organization committee member)
Abdolmajid Erfani, Assistant Professor, Michigan Technological University (Organization committee member)
Zhenhua Zhu, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison (Organization committee member)
Yuan Sun, Assistant Professor, University of Southern Mississippi (Organization committee member)
Yu Chen, Professor, Binghamton University (Organization committee member)
Deeraj Nagothu, Research Scientist, Intelligent Fusion Technology, Inc. (Organization committee member)
Qian Qu, Assistant Professor, Virginia State University (Organization committee member)
Taeho Jung, Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame (Organization committee member)
Coordinators
James Townsend, Institute of Computing and Cybersystems, Michigan Technological University
Amanda Stump, Institute of Computing and Cybersystems, Michigan Technological University
Pam Hannon, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute, Michigan Technological University
Graduate Students
Yifan Wang, Ph.D. Candidate, Michigan Technological University
Aakash Walavalkar, Graduate Student, Michigan Technological University
Disclosure
Michigan Tech Equal Opportunity Institution/Employer Statement
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Conference Code of Conduct and Harassment Policy (CoC)
What is Harassment
Harassment includes – but is not limited to – unwelcome conduct or speech related to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, genetic information, marital status, disabled veteran status, veteran status, or disability, or other characteristics not related to scientific content or merit.
Harassment may include deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, unnecessary touching, unwelcome attention, unauthorized photography or recording, and sustained disruption of talks or other events.
Encouraging such behavior by others is not permitted. Retaliation for reporting harassment is not permitted, nor are false harassment accusations.
Who is covered by this CoC?
All attendees—including speakers, non-speakers, sponsors, staff, and volunteers—are covered by this CoC. The workshop organizers will enforce this policy throughout the event.
Guidelines for Speakers
The content of presentations is the responsibility of speakers. Organizers request that speakers avoid potentially offensive actions, language, or imagery.
Reporting Harassment
Michigan Tech is committed to supporting a safe and productive environment. Clear mechanisms for reporting harassment are outlined within Michigan Tech’s Discrimination and/or Harassment Reporting Form.
In case of emergency, dial 911 or contact Public Safety and Police Services at 906-487-2216.
If an incident is reported, organizers will consult trained university professional staff to conduct an investigation. Consequences may include a warning, expulsion from the workshop, or prohibition from future events.
Under certain circumstances, organizers may contact venue security and/or local police. To protect all involved, detailed public statements are generally not made.
Legal Protections
Michigan Tech employees and NSF awardees are prohibited from retaliating against individuals who file a complaint or participate in an investigation.
NSF’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion investigates complaints of retaliation. Contact: 703-292-8020 or ProgramComplaints@nsf.gov.