RDMF14: Research Data (and) Systems

Simple, accurate transfer of content between systems and across institutional boundaries is one of the core aims of information management. In the research environment, there is an accepted need to link publications to the datasets which underpin them, and to sustain these links over the long term, thereby ensuring a more robust and trustworthy scholarly record. But while research publications will generally be held in comparatively stable repositories, data (and metadata) may be created, held in, and accessed via a multitude of different – and constantly evolving – systems.

Furthermore, as data becomes increasingly accepted as a first-class research output in its own right, the types of (re-)user become more diverse. Research funders and university administrators, for example, take a growing interest in usage statistics and impact, as well as monitoring compliance with relevant policies and legislation. And audiences beyond the academy also need to be considered: from the creators and stewards of datasets originating within the government sector, to private enterprises seeking to reuse and build services on top of publicly funded data. Each of these stakeholder groups has its own outlook on what they need research data to ‘do’, and the types of system they need it to interface with.

This event will aim to provide a variety of perspectives on data and systems, from university repository managers to research data tool providers, and case study examples of cross-system information flow (both within and between organisations). It will provide valuable insight for those seeking to develop their organisations’ technical (and human) data management infrastructure.

Speakers and presentations

The event featured contributions from...

• Opening and Closing Slides - Martin Donnelly (DCC)
• Keynote presentation: “Research Data, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Policy” - Torsten Reimer (Imperial College London)
• Institutional case studies – “Filling the Digital Preservation Gap for RDM with Archivematica” - Jenny Mitcham (University of York), Chris Awre (University of Hull), with Sarah Romkey (Artefactual Systems) via video link
• “Institutional research data management systems go mainstream: how ANDS is responding” - Andrew Treloar (Australian National Data Service) (via live video link)
• Institutional case studies – “ULCC, Sheffield Hallam, Reading”
  Rory McNicholl (University of London Computer Centre), Eddy Verbaan (Sheffield Hallam University), Robert Darby (University of Reading) 
• “Jisc Pilot Shared Service for RDM” - John Kaye (Jisc)
• Institutional case study – “ORCID as a linking standard? Some lessons from a CRIS tender process, with an existing publications repository” - Jane Williams (Robert Gordon University)
• “Data Vault: Enabling Long Term Stewardship of your Research Data” - Mary McDerby and Tom Higgins (University of Manchester)
• Panel discussion – “Perspectives on Systems Integration”

1. ​Matthew Addis (Arkivum, chair)
2. Ben Green (University of Manchester)
3. ​Rory McNicholl (ULCC)
4. John Beaman (University of Leeds)

The event agenda is available via the link on the right-hand side of this page.

Outputs:

• A general Storify page from the event is now available
• Blog posts from the breakout groups:

1. Angus Whyte: "Variety in RDM requirements - a curse or the spice of life?" (includes a report on the 'Requirements' breakout group)
2. Thomas Higgins: "Report on the 'Systems integration' breakout group"
3. Mary McDerby: "Report on the 'Shared services and consortia' breakout group" (to follow)

• Marta Teperek from Cambridge wrote this blog post summarising her thoughts on the event
• Andrew Hercules from ULCC has created a great Storify page about the event

Amplification: We used the hashtag #rdmf14

Feedback: we always welcome your feedback on our events to help us improve future sessions. Please take a moment to complete our short feedback form.

Costs and Registration

The delegate registration price of £220 includes overnight accommodation at the Hilton, a drinks reception and all meals.

Venue address:

Hilton York Hotel
1 Tower Place
York
YO1 9WD

Image credit:

Chain and sea, https://www.flickr.com/photos/furnari/99112636 (CC-BY licence)