A research data management (RDM) community for ELIXIR

Abstract

Research data management (RDM) is central to the implementation of the FAIR (Findable Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and Open Science principles. Recognising the importance of RDM, ELIXIR Platforms and Nodes have invested in RDM and launched various projects and initiatives to ensure good data management practices for scientific excellence. These projects have resulted in a rich set of tools and resources highly valuable for FAIR data management. However, these resources remain scattered across projects and ELIXIR structures, making their dissemination and application challenging. Therefore, it becomes imminent to coordinate these efforts for sustainable and harmonised RDM practices with dedicated forums for RDM professionals to exchange knowledge and share resources. The proposed ELIXIR RDM Community will bring together RDM experts to develop ELIXIR's vision and coordinate its activities, taking advantage of the available assets. It aims to coordinate RDM best practices and illustrate how to use the existing ELIXIR RDM services. The Community will be built around three integral pillars, namely, a network of RDM professionals, RDM knowledge management and RDM training expertise and resources. It will also engage with external stakeholders to leverage benefits and provide a forum to RDM professionals for regular knowledge exchange, capacity building and development of harmonised RDM practices, keeping in line with the overall scope of the RDM Community. In the short term, the Community aims to build upon the existing resources and ensure that the content of these remain up to date and fit for purpose. In the long run, the Community will aim to strengthen the skills and knowledge of its RDM professionals to support the emerging needs of the scientific community. The Community will also devise an effective strategy to engage with other ELIXIR structures and international stakeholders to influence and align with developments and solutions in the RDM field.

Keywords: Common best practices; Data management; Data management plans; Data management training; Data stewardship; FAIR principles; Research data life cycle; community standards.

Figure 1.. Number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) in Nodes providing RDM related services in 2021.

Colours represent different ELIXIR Nodes. Data derived from the online surveys and interviews performed in the context of ELIXIR-CONVERGE ( Carraro et al., 2022), investigating how services of data management and stewardship are delivered and financially supported in ELIXIR Nodes.

Figure 2.. Survey of benefits of a Data Management expert network during the ELIXIR-CONVERGE project.

(A) Perceived benefit of the Data Management Network, rated on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (crucial for my work); (B) Importance of keeping the DM Network going after ELIXIR-CONVERGE ends, rated on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (crucial); (C) Numbers of respondents that perceive they obtain different types of benefits by participating in the DM Network.

Figure 3.. The RDM Community: A focal point for RDM practice in ELIXIR.

The RDM Community will engage and coordinate with ELIXIR Nodes, Platforms, Communities, Focus Groups and external stakeholders to promote and drive harmonisation of RDM activities within ELIXIR and beyond.