The digital transformation of research and innovation ecosystems has resulted in significant growth in the volume, diversity, and distribution of data. In sectors such as healthcare, energy, and public services, this data is highly sensitive and governed by strict regulatory and organisational requirements.
Consequently, there is a growing need for infrastructures that enable secure, compliant, and interoperable data sharing and analysis. Trusted Research Environments (TREs) address this need by providing controlled, auditable environments where authorised users can analyse sensitive data without exposing it beyond protected boundaries.

In parallel, data spaces are emerging as decentralised frameworks that support data discovery, access negotiation, and exchange through shared standards and governance models, while allowing organisations to retain full control over their data.

In this talk, I will discuss how integrating TREs with data spaces can unlock complementary strengths. Also, I will discuss TRE concepts and terminology, give an overview of different governance scenarios, and identify high-level architectural and operational patterns required for technical integration.