Research Data Management Strengthening the University of Sheffield’s research environment by building RDM capability and capacity IATUL Workshop, University of Oxford, December 2013 Research Data Management Coordinator Laurian Williamson l.williamson@sheffield.ac.uk @LaurianW

Contents Existing institutional RDM expertise Pathfinder RDM project RDM service delivery planning RDM activities – library led Challenges and opportunities Reflection from a RDM practitioner 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Quick facts Founded in 1879 50 academic departments 82 research centres and institutes 11 services for industry and commerce University income for financial year 2011-12: £446.9 million Number of students (2011-12): 24,767 Number of staff (July 2012): 6,031 Percentage of research submitted to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise rated as 3* (internationally recognised) or 4* (world-leading): 93% 08/11/2018

Research Stories from The University of Sheffield http://www.shef.ac.uk/research/impact/stories 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

RDM and the University Library Martin Lewis (Director of Library Services and University Librarian) Lead role in coordinating & supporting RDM capacity and capability building Library training for staff – RDMRose – 8 CPD sessions RDM Coordinator – sits within library research support structure 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

National collaborations N8 Research Partnership Durham, Lancaster Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester Newcastle, Sheffield and York Eight of the most research intensive universities in the North of England 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

DCC Institutional Engagement White Rose Consortium Shared Research Data Management Services: A Feasibility Analysis [October 2013] 28 recommendations for consideration Covering both human and technical infrastructure This Report [NOT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN] presents the findings of a Feasibility Study exploring Research Data Management (RDM) Services across White Rose Consortium partners: the universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York. The study was carried out during January-September 2013, by a small team of DCC staff reporting to the WRC Library Directors. The methodology included desk-based research and analysis of key WRC documents and reports, a short email questionnaire for technical infrastructure issues and gaps, collated synthesis from external resources and feedback commentary from WRC Library Directors. The study has identified six general criteria used to assess service feasibility: benefits to the institution, service costs, staff resources for service development, suitability of service components, drivers for service development and level of risk. RDM service components were organised into human and technical infrastructure components and assessed against the criteria in relation to the relevant phases of the research data lifecycle. Human infrastructure components comprised advocacy and awareness (includes training), project start-up, post-project and data release. Technical infrastructure components comprised managing active data, data repository and preservation and data discovery . 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

University of Sheffield iSchool Academic and Research Libraries module – RDM Dr Stephen Pinfield Dr Andrew Cox Important role to play in building institutional RDM capacity & educating future information professionals 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is/research/projects/rdmrose 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

How can you use the learning materials? Gain a systematic grounding in RDM, through self-directed CPD Undertake targeted learning about an RDM topic that is key for your role Reuse material or ideas for teaching your library colleagues and others

Research Data Management activities Data Management Planning Creating data Documenting data Accessing / using data Storage and backup Sharing data Preserving data Create Document Use Store Share Preserve Important to identify points where they require support 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

EPSRC’s expectations and RDM Roadmap http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/about/standards/researchdata/Pages/expectations.aspx

EPSRC data expectations Metadata Linking publication and data Access management (3rd party) Data curation Data preservation Non-digital data Awareness and advocacy Policies and processes Resourcing 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

EPSRC Roadmap Submitted by R&IS in Spring 2012 Roadmap confirms expected compliance by May 2015 deadline EPSRC monitor compliance on a case by case basis Non-compliance and/or data sharing obstruction – EPSRC will impose appropriate sanctions 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

RDM pathfinder project 2011 -2012 Funded by the Research & Innovation Committee Objectives: Establish research funders’ current & potential RDM requirements Identify pathfinders projects Identify range of research data types Pathfinders = research projects led by individuals or teams that work with different research types 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

RDM pathfinder project 2011 -2012 24 data interviews (circa 90 minutes each) All faculties Senior researchers, PIs and research support staff Using and creating different types of research data Pathfinders = research projects led by individuals or teams that work with different research types 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

General observations Following aspects of RDM were unambigous: DMPs and funders’ requirements Prescribed retention periods Correct procedures for scrubbing/cleaning data Pathfinders = research projects led by individuals or teams that work with different research types 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

General observations Following aspects of RDM were more contentious: Making research data publicly available Choosing between a wide range of data storage systems RDM and academic freedom IP 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

University of Sheffield Research Data Management Policy Published in July 2012 DMPs are submitted as part of grant applications TUoS RDM Policy requirement that all research proposals for funded research must include a DMP Embedded within the Policy on Good Research and Innovation Practices http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/gov-ethics/grippolicy 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

R&I Committee RDM priority areas for action

Key areas for action Advocacy, training, awareness raising – PGRs, ECRS, established researchers UoS portal for advice and support Support for costing RDM requirements in grant applications Advice on DMPs and metadata IP – additional guidance Storage, back-up and security Develop a data repository infrastructure Normally around 2 pages 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

RDM Service Delivery Group First meeting last week Establishing and agreeing on deliverables Representatives from academic community, CiCS, the Library and R&IS Watching brief on WRC and N8 RDM developments Work already underway on the key priority areas for action, for example, help with DMPs, training and advocacy Normally around 2 pages 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

A week in a life… Presentations and workshops: Faculty of Engineering Research and Innovation Committee [EPSRC expectations re. research data] Research & Innovation Service [ RDM and allowable costs] Medicine, dentistry and health – ECRs and Lecturers [Data management plans, biomedical funders expectations] Normally around 2 pages 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

A week in a life… RDM queries “Do funders see conformance with some ISO standards as acceptable?” “Can we store thousands of our small plastic vials containing invertebrate samples in the University’s physical storage space?” Post-grant data preservation costs – who pays for this? Can you provide advice on my data management plan for a MRC proposal? 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Skills required Diplomacy Encouraging collaboration amongst professional services Advocate and trainer Open Access environment (esp. open data) Metrics – bibliometrics and alternative metrics Understanding of research process Support researchers with their RDM requirements Gathering user requirements monitoring data reuse, citations and assessing impact – is very important, especially with reward and recognition 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

RDM some challenges Research data viewed as a valuable research output Impact, reward and recognition Resourcing and costing (researcher and institution) Compliance with both my institutional and funders’ expectations – TIME TO DO ALL THIS? monitoring data reuse, citations and assessing impact – is very important, especially with reward and recognition 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

RDM some challenges Speaking the same language (disciplines, across and within support services) Complexity (across disciplines) and scale (across research groups and the institution) Engagement (from researchers, support services, and governance groups) 08/11/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Thank-you Questions?