Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 August 2012
In 2010, we organised a workshop in Tenerife with the aim of bringing together scientists concerned with the completeness and accuracy of atomic data for astrophysical applications. Participants included atomic physicists, theoretical astrophysicists and astronomers, and the workshop covered topics such as the evaluation of uncertainties in atomic data, the propagation of such uncertainties in chemical abundances, and the feedback between observations and calculations. Communication issues were also discussed, including questions such as: How can it be ensured that atomic data are correctly understood and used? Which forum is the best one for a fluid interaction between all communities involved in the production and use of atomic data? This contribution lays out the main issues raised during the workshop and some of the solutions proposed.