Research Data Management for research programs – time to evolve our practices?

Managing research data in multi-stakeholder, multi-project, and multi-participant research programs presents unique complexities and challenges. While substantial guidance exists on research data management (RDM) frameworks and best practices for individual projects and institutional support (e.g. the Research Data Management Framework for Institutions (2023)), there is a notable knowledge gap when it comes to the specific needs of large, integrated, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research programs.

This presentation will highlight the differences, challenges, and barriers observed by the authors through participation in research programs, through observing research programs, and insights from a workshop held at the Centre for eResearch and Innovation (CeRDI) in Australia in October 2024. Key issues discussed will include program data governance; cross program roles and responsibilities; data sharing practices and aligning processes across projects, partners and institutions; fit for purpose infrastructure now and into the future; creating the right data culture; and maintaining data access beyond the project lifecycle.

The presentation will conclude with some initial recommendations for best practices, citing good practice examples, and identify areas where further work is needed to support effective RDM in these complex research environments.

We wish to acknowledge the valuable input of the CeRDI workshop participants in shaping this presentation.

Australian Research Data Commons. (2023) Research Data Management Framework for Institutions. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6392340.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

David Medyckyj-Scott is currently the Head of Data Management at Manaaki Whenua. His background is broad covering environmental science, computer science, psychology, as well a data management. Prior to his current position he held several pivotal roles overseas including being Geospatial and Research Data Manager at a national datacentre (University of Edinburgh). He led the design, implementation and operation of nationally significant geospatial and environmental data services in the UK, Europe and New Zealand, and was Technical Director at the NZ National Land Resource Centre. He has promoted and been involved in the development of open data standards.

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For more information about the eResearch NZ / eRangahau Aotearoa conference, visit:
https://eresearchnz.co.nz/