1. 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
@LaurianW

2. 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

3. Quick facts Founded in 1879 50 academic departments
82 research centres and institutes
11 services for industry and commerce
University income for financial year : £446.9 million
Number of students ( ): 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

4. Research Stories from The University of Sheffield
08/11/2018
© The University of Sheffield

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. EPSRC’s expectations and RDM Roadmap

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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
08/11/2018
© The University of Sheffield

20. R&I Committee RDM priority areas for action

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. Thank-you Questions?