| Day | Date | Time | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2026-05-08 | 09:30 - 10:00 | Introduction to Version Control |
| 2 | 2026-05-08 | 10:00 - 12:00 | Version Control of Data with DataLad |
| 2 | 2026-05-08 | 12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch Break |
| 2 | 2026-05-08 | 13:00 - 14:00 | Data publication |
| 2 | 2026-05-08 | 14:00 - 16:00 | Data Infrastructure: Nextcloud |
| 2 | 2026-05-08 | 16:00 - 16:30 | Summary & Outlook |
Data Infrastructure
Research Data Management for Psychology and Neuroscience
Course at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, RTG 2660: Approach-Avoidance
Slides | Source
14:00
Schedule
1 This session: Data Infrastructure
Objectives
💡 You know what Nextcloud is and its capabilities.
💡 You can navigate the Nextcloud web interface and describe its main areas.
💡 You know the typical features of Nextcloud, including file management, sharing, versioning, and collaborative editing.
💡 You understand the different access methods for Nextcloud (web, desktop clients, mobile apps, WebDAV/API).
💡 You can integrate Nextcloud with DataLad using WebDAV for automated research data workflows.
2 Nextcloud
What is Nextcloud?
Nextcloud is an open-source, self-hosted cloud-based collaboration platform.
- Web-based access from anywhere — no VPN required
- Cross-platform synchronization (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android)
- External sharing and collaborative workspaces
- Authentication via institutional Single Sign-On (SSO)
Nextcloud: Web Interface
After login, the main view provides access to all key functions:
- Dashboard (centre): customizable widgets — recent activity, frequently used files, etc.
- App switcher (top-left): access all available apps with a single click
Top-right icons:
- 🔍 Search — find files and content
- 🔔 Notifications — activity alerts
- 👥 Contacts — user directory
- 👤 Profile (circle with initials) — personal settings, preferences, help, and logout
Nextcloud: Available Apps
Nextcloud extends beyond file storage through Apps (extensions). Depending on your institution’s configuration, a curated set of apps may be available:
Productivity:
- 📆 Calendar — shared scheduling
- ✉️ Mail
- 🔒 Password manager
- 💬 Chat
- 📹 Video conferencing
Collaboration & Organisation:
- 📋 Forms and surveys
- 📊 Project management (Deck — Kanban boards)
- 📖 Address books and internal contact groups
Nextcloud: Focus on file management and collaboration
Authentication & Access:
- Single Sign-On with institutional login
- Web interface + desktop/mobile clients
- API access via WebDAV
File Management:
- Share files and folders with other users
- Granular access rights control (read, write, share)
- File versioning and change history
- Comments on files and folders
Collaboration:
- Online editing of Office documents (
.docx,.xlsx,.pptx) - Simultaneous co-editing of documents
- Shared calendars for scheduling
- Kanban-based project management (Deck)
Nextcloud: Access Methods
Web Interface:
- Access from any browser
- No installation required
- Full feature access
Desktop Clients:
- Available for Windows, macOS, Linux
- Automatic file synchronization
- Offline access to synced files
Mobile Apps:
- Available for iOS and Android
- Access and share files on the go
API / WebDAV:
- Programmatic access via WebDAV protocol
- Integrate with scripts and tools (e.g., DataLad via
datalad-next) - Suitable for automated workflows
Nextcloud: Connecting via rclone
rclone is a command-line tool for transferring files between local systems and cloud storage — including Nextcloud via WebDAV. Useful for HPC and analysis server workflows.
Configure Nextcloud as a WebDAV remote:
- Type:
webdav - URL:
https://<your-nextcloud>/remote.php/dav/files/YOURUSERNAME/ - Vendor:
Nextcloud - Authenticate with an App Password (Settings → Security → App Passwords)
🔒 App passwords can be revoked at any time and are safer than your main login credentials.
3 Zotero + Nextcloud
What is Zotero?
Zotero is a free, open-source reference management software.
Key features:
- Collect and organise (scientific) literature, notes, and citations
- Insert citations directly into word processors (Word, LibreOffice)
- Automatically generate bibliographies
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
⚠️ Storage limitation: Free Zotero Cloud storage is capped at 300 MB.
💡 Solution: Extend storage via a WebDAV connection to Nextcloud.
Zotero: Privacy Notice
Many institutional data protection offices advise caution when using Zotero as a cloud service:
- The Zotero Privacy Policy provides insufficient information about data processing
- Personal data of third parties (e.g. co-authors’ names) may be processed without a clear legal basis
- Zotero does not offer a data processing agreement (required under GDPR / institutional policy)
💡 Check your institution’s data protection guidance before syncing sensitive data via Zotero Cloud.
🔗 Further reading: Literaturverwaltung mit Zotero (TU Berlin)
Zotero: Expanding Storage via WebDAV
Prerequisites:
- Access to a Nextcloud instance (or any WebDAV-compatible storage) — e.g., provided by your institution
- Zotero desktop client installed
- A (free) Zotero account
How it works:
Instead of syncing files through Zotero’s own servers, file attachments are stored on your own Nextcloud instance via the WebDAV protocol.
🔒 Only the dedicated Zotero folder is exposed — not your entire Nextcloud.
⚠️ Note: The setup described here uses a public link for access. Anyone with the link can access the Zotero data. Always set up password protection for the shared link.
Zotero + Nextcloud: Setup
Step 1 — Create a folder structure in Nextcloud:
- Zotero requires a subfolder named exactly
zotero - Example structure:
/Projects/Zotero/zotero
Step 2 — Share the parent folder as a public link:
- Share the folder above
zotero(e.g.,Zotero) as a public link - Enable edit rights (read + write)
- Set a password (strongly recommended)
Step 3 — Configure Zotero Sync Settings:
Open Zotero → Preferences → Sync → File Syncing
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Sync attachment files in My Library using | WebDAV |
| URL | <your-nextcloud>/public.php/webdav |
| Username | Public link token |
| Password | Password set for the shared link |
Step 4 — Verify the connection:
Click “Verify Server” in Zotero’s sync settings to confirm the WebDAV connection is working.
💡 Zotero can also be used for collaborative document editing in Nextcloud via the Zotero plugin in OnlyOffice.
4 Exercises
Exercise 1
Task: Explore the Nextcloud web interface.
Log in to your institutional Nextcloud instance
Familiarise yourself with the main areas of the interface:
- Dashboard: What widgets are displayed? Can you customise them?
- App switcher (top-left): Which apps are available?
- Top-right icons: Locate the Search, Notifications, Contacts, and Profile functions.
Try out the following file operations:
- Upload a file or folder
- Share a file with a colleague (set appropriate access rights)
- Create a new text document and edit it online
- Check the version history of a file
Discuss with your neighbour:
- For which tasks in your research workflow could Nextcloud be useful?
- What are the advantages compared to storing files only on your local machine?
Exercise 2
Task: Integrate DataLad with Nextcloud via WebDAV.
Relevant Links:
5 Resources
Resources
Nextcloud
DataLad Integration
6 Questions & Discussion
❓ Any questions about Nextcloud?
💬 Discussion: How could Nextcloud support your research workflow?
RDM Course