S2 E3. How imec scales research with data platforms: governance, workbenches, and adoption - The Data Playbook Podcast with Kris Peeters & Wim Vancuyck

In this episode of The Data Playbook, we go inside imec, one of the world’s leading semiconductor research institutes, to explore how they scale data governance, self-service, and innovation in one of the most data-intensive environments on Earth.

Our guest, Wim Vancuyck, Manager of ICT for Data & Research Enablement, leads imec’s data strategy - bridging IT, researchers, and business to accelerate R&D through digital solutions. Wim’s mission: make imec a data-driven research organisation that turns raw measurements into insights and intellectual property faster and more securely.

Wim explains how imec built a research data platform that empowers thousands of scientists through:

• Purpose-based access control, linking people, platforms, and data assets
• Four self-service workbenches for Power BI, Data Engineering, Data Science & AI, and Application Development
• A clear platform vision built on efficiency, scalability, and reliability
• A governance model that supports both compliance and creativity
• A pragmatic stance on shadow IT: embrace, standardise, and professionalize it
• A bottom-up adoption strategy driven by early adopters and community engagement

He also discusses his evolution from technical architect to data leader, and what it takes to manage change in a 5,000-person R&D organisation, balancing technical depth with people leadership.

🎙️ Guest: Wim Vancuyck - Manager ICT, Data & Research Enablement, imec

🌐 More at: www.dataminded.com

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