Data Sharing – an ESRC perspective Siân Bourne, Acting Head of Research Resources

Overview Strategic framework ESRC data policy Data sharing – benefits and responsibilities Facilitating and promoting data sharing Future considerations Summary

Strategic framework ESRC Research Resources Board: to create a world class UK social science infrastructure that will underpin the delivery of the highest quality social and economic research OECD principle: publicly funded research data should be easily accessible so that they can be often and as widely as possible

ESRC data policy Basic premise: ESRC grant-holders are obliged to offer for deposit with the ESDS a copy of any data resulting from ESRC-funded research. - must be done within 3 months of end of a grant – is monitored by ESRC and ESDS - not all datasets accepted ESDS negotiate access to other datasets on behalf of social science community

Data sharing - benefits Facilitates high quality, policy relevant research Reinforces open scientific enquiry Promotes new research and allows for testing of new or alternative methods Reduce costs by minimising duplication of effort Allows for creation of new data sets through linking Can reduce burden on respondents Provides important resource for training

Data sharing - responsibilities Gaining appropriate consent Maintaining confidentiality Appropriate access levels (eg. End User License) Penalties for misuse Clear guidance and user training Public engagement

Facilitating and promoting data sharing ESDS – ESRC/JISC funded Administrative Data Liaison Service Secure Data Service Census programme Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive

Future considerations A need to refresh and strengthen the ESRC Data Policy. Issues: - access by non-academic and international researchers - self-deposit of all datasets not accepted by ESDS Infrastructure review

Summary Many benefits to data sharing for social science and beyond Many responsibilities that go with that Existing infrastructure to promote data sharing Number of areas to take forward/investigate