[DATAGOV Core] FW: NextCloud pilot

Tue Dec 23 14:30:05 CET 2025

Hey everyone,

I think this is our best option, as it inscribes in an existing 
initiative and collective effort, which our participation could help 
strenghten and make visible. The late starting date and short deadline 
are not great, but possibly taking part can foster the extension of the 
initiative beyond the initial timeline :)

I also think it has a political value, as one of the (in my knowledge) 
few initiatives that critically address universities' reliance on and 
dependence from big techs' infrastructures. Looking forward to hear more 
about how it could become a publication :)

Best,

Giulia

On 22/12/25 21:44, Stefania Milan via Core wrote:
> I subscribe to every single word.
> And I am 90% sure the pilot will be extended, and not killed. My gut 
> feeling only.
>
> *From: *Core <core-bounces at lists.datagovlab.net> on behalf of Jonas 
> Breuer via Core <core at lists.datagovlab.net>
> *Date: *Monday, 22 December 2025 at 14:55
> *To: *core at lists.datagovlab.net <core at lists.datagovlab.net>
> *Subject: *Re: [DATAGOV Core] FW: NextCloud pilot
>
> Hey yet again,
>
> I think this is the kind of initiative that should be done much more, 
> supporting each other to be strong towards American big tech (and 
> uninformed decision-making that favours big tech for lack of 
> initiative, resources and interest). Sovereignty and power trhoughg 
> collaboration. I would be interested in joining that special interest 
> group to evaluate.
>
> The amount of people won’t matter much because there might be more 
> people from UvA and not only DATAGOV, no?
>
> The timing is a problem, not so much the start date (I think we can 
> manage till then) but the potential end in 2026.
>
> Altogether, I would support this and even consider this as a 
> resistance strategy towards regulatory data infrastructures in 
> education. *sounds like a publication to my ears
>
> Greetings
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Core <core-bounces at lists.datagovlab.net> on behalf of Stefania 
> Milan via Core <core at lists.datagovlab.net>
> *Date: *Friday, 19 December 2025 at 11:07
> *To: *core at lists.datagovlab.net <core at lists.datagovlab.net>
> *Subject: *[DATAGOV Core] FW: NextCloud pilot
>
> Info below. We are less than 20, but I hope I can convince them anyway.
> I don’t like two things: a) relatively late start date, b) running for 
> one year only (but I bet it will be extended…). But if they let us in, 
> I would say it is worth participating. Thoughts?
>
> *From: *Frank van Tatenhove <F.G.M.vanTatenhove at uva.nl>
> *Date: *Friday, 19 December 2025 at 09:01
> *To: *Stefania Milan <S.Milan at uva.nl>
> *Cc: *Meg Kitamura <meg2wins at gmail.com>, Giulia Campaioli 
> <g.campaioli at uva.nl>
> *Subject: *RE: NextCloud pilot
>
> Dear Stefania,
>
> Great to hear! Of course, you and your team can participate in the 
> pilot. How many people would that involve?
>
> Here's some more information about the pilot:
>
> **
>
> *Nextcloud Pilot.* SURF is launching a Nextcloud pilot in 2026. See: 
> _https://www.surf.nl/nieuws/onderwijs-en-onderzoek-gaan-verder-met-nextcloud 
> <https://www.surf.nl/nieuws/onderwijs-en-onderzoek-gaan-verder-met-nextcloud>_. 
> More detailed information about the pilot can be found on the SURF 
> wiki 
> (_https://servicedesk.surf.nl/wiki/spaces/WIKI/pages/248316434/Nextcloud+General+information 
> <https://servicedesk.surf.nl/wiki/spaces/WIKI/pages/248316434/Nextcloud+General+information>_).
>
> *What does the environment offer?* File storage, sharing, and editing; 
> chats and online meetings (meetings, webinars, lectures); contacts, 
> calendars, and productivity apps.
>
> In more detail:
>
> • Files: file storage, sharing, and synchronization. (see 
> https://nextcloud.com/files/)
>
> • Office: online document editing with real-time collaboration. (see 
> https://nextcloud.com/office/)
>
> • Talk: video conferencing, chat, and voice calls. (see 
> https://nextcloud.com/talk/)
>
> • Groupware: calendar, contacts, and email integration. (Email 
> integration not yet certain)
>
> • Assistant: privacy-focused AI for summarizing, drafting, and 
> answering questions. (AI not yet available at launch)
>
> • Productivity apps: notes, tasks, project organization, forms, and more
>
> *What does SURF do?* Hosts the environment, provides second-line 
> support, coordinates a special interest group, provides implementation 
> advice, and connects the environment to SRAM (log in with UvAnetID) 
> and Microsoft applications.
>
> *What do participating institutions do?* Ensure at least 20 staff 
> and/or students use the environment daily, provide first-line support, 
> maintain contact with SURF, participate in the special interest group, 
> provide feedback, and help evaluate the environment.
>
> *How much does it cost?* SURF requests a contribution from the 
> institutions. We cover these costs for the UvA centrally. Therefore, 
> there are no costs for participants.
>
> *When and for whom?* All SURF institutions, starting in January 2026 
> and initially running for one year. The environment will be available 
> to administrators on February 1st and to end users on March 1st.
>
> Beste regards,
>
> Frank van Tatenhove
>
> *Universiteit van Amsterdam*
>
> Frank van Tatenhove
> /Bestuursstaf – Informatiemanagement (IM), Beleidsmedewerker/
>
> Spui 21 | 1012 WX Amsterdam
>
> T 020 525 4910 / 06 511 56 233
>
> _http://www.uva.nl/ <http://www.uva.nl/>_
> Aanwezig ma|di|wo|
>
> *Van:* Stefania Milan <S.Milan at uva.nl>
> *Verzonden:* donderdag 18 december 2025 16:58
> *Aan:* Frank van Tatenhove <F.G.M.vanTatenhove at uva.nl>
> *CC:* Meg Kitamura <meg2wins at gmail.com>; Giulia Campaioli 
> <g.campaioli at uva.nl>
> *Onderwerp:* NextCloud pilot
> *Urgentie:* Hoog
>
> Dear Frank,
>
> I hope this finds you well. My name is Stefania, and I am the PI of 
> the _DATAGOV project 
> <https://datagovlab.net/>_, 
> funded by the European Research Council. I got your contact from Joris 
> de Vries, with whom I discussed NextCloud.
>
> For my project I am looking to establish a NextCloud space. I have 
> heard from Joris that there is an ongoing pilot to scale NextCloud to 
> university wide. My team would LOVE to take part in the pilot.
>
> I look forward to hearing from you!
>
> Best regards, Stefania
>
> Stefania Milan (she/her)
> Professor of Critical Data Studies, University of Amsterdam | 
> _https://stefaniamilan.net/ 
> <https://stefaniamilan.net/>_
> Faculty Associate (2024-25), Berkman Klein Center for Internet & 
> Society, Harvard University
>
> Research Associate, Chair “AI and Democracy”, Florence School of 
> Transnational Governance, European University Institute
>
> Principal Investigator, DATAGOV (ERC Advanced 101142006, 2025-2030) – 
> now hiring!
>
> Work Package leader “Innovative methods and interpretable AI to 
> measure transition performances”, _SPES 
> <https://www.sustainabilityperformances.eu/>_ (HorizonEurope)
>
> Work Package leader “Critical approaches to social media simulation”, 
> _WHAT-IF 
> <https://what-if-horizon.eu/>_ (HorizonEurope)
> +31627875425 | +31(0)205252416
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>
>
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