1.
RDM Roadmap@Edinburgh
- an institutional approach
Stuart Macdonald
EDINA & Data Library
Email: stuart.macdonald@ed.ac.uk
EDINA Projects Day, 11 December, 2012

2.
Background
Edinburgh Data Audit Framework (DAF) Implementation (May – Dec 2008)
A JISC-funded pilot project produced 6 case studies from research units
across the University in identifying research data assets and assessing their
management, using DAF methodology developed by the Digital Curation Centre.
4 main outcomes:
• Develop online RDM guidance
• Develop RDM training
• Develop university research data management policy
• Develop services & support for RDM (in partnership IS)

3.
Context
• The University of Edinburgh is a world-leading centre of academic
excellence with a mission for the creation, dissemination and
curation of knowledge.
• Information Services (IS), a support group within the University,
contributes to the University’s mission by striving to provide a
Knowledge Management and Information Service appropriate for
supporting and enabling learners, researchers and teachers in a
world-class University.

4.
Drivers
• Research data management policy* containing 10 ten aspirational
statements affirming both the researchers’ and the University’s
responsibilities, e.g.
• Data will be managed to highest standards throughout the research data lifecycle
• PI responsible for RDM
• University will provide RDM support and training
• University will provide RDM services (such as back-up, storage, deposit)
• Data retained elsewhere will be registered with the University
• RDM plans must ensure that data are available for access and re-use under
appropriate safeguards
• A research data storage paper was submitted to the University’s IT
Committee in 2010, with six key recommendations for the University’s data
infrastructure .
* http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/about/policies-and-regulations/research-data-policy

5.
Implementation Committee
An RDM Policy Implementation Committee has been set up by the Vice
Principal Knowledge Management and Chief Information Officer, Jeff
Haywood to implement recommendations:
• Membership from across IS
• Charged with delivering services that will meet RDM policy objectives
which can be achieved in the near term.
The Vice Principal also established a Steering Committee led by Professor
Peter Clarke (School of Physics) comprising members from each of the 3
colleges, IS and Edinburgh Research and Innovation (ERI).
Their role is to provide oversight to the activity of the Implementation
Committee, ensuring the services meet the needs of University researchers.

6.
Roadmap
• The Executive Summary of the Information Services Plan, 2012-13
states, “Research data management & storage – policies, training,
curation, preservation, baseline 0.5Tb/user,” is a major IS-led project
for the year.
• The RDM roadmap sets out a high level plan for its delivery, noting
objectives, outcomes, deliverables and target dates for the 18-month
period July 2012-January 2014, across four strategic areas:

7.
Data Management Planning
Support and services for planning activities that are typically performed before
research data is collected or created – addresses policy points 3, 4
Example services might include:
• Bespoke Data Management Planning support
• Customised Data Management Planning tool

8.
Active Data Infrastructure
Facilities to store data that is actively used in current research activities, to provide
access to that storage, and tools to assist in working with the data – addresses policy
points 5, 8
Example services might include:
• Accessible cross-platform Data Store
• Data Access Services (e.g. Dropbox-like)
• Data Synchronisation (e.g. mobile devices)
• Web-based Collaboration tools
• Structured Data Version Control (WebDAV)
• Central Database service

9.
Data Stewardship
Tools and services to aid in the description, deposit, and on-going management
of completed research data outputs – addresses policy points 6, 7, 9, 10
Example services might include:
• Data archive service (vault)
• Data asset register
• Data repository (enhanced)
• PURE Current Research Information System integrated with other systems

10.
Data Management Support
General consultancy and support service throughout the research process
– addresses policy points 1, 2, 4
Example services might include:
• Tailored awareness and advocacy activities
• Online Data Management guidance
• Training (online / F-2-F)
• Data Management consultancy

11.
RDM Roadmap: http://tinyurl.com/bu2dllr

12.
Next Steps
Costs !!
The roadmap follows up a business case submitted to the University IT Committee
in June 2012 by Jeff Haywood which estimated one-off and recurrent costs. The
Roadmap does not include itemised costs. These are yet to be agreed.
Pilots:
DMP pilot - focus groups and usability testing with existing users, as well as the
development and testing of an Edinburgh template
DataShare Pilots - 3 sets of “communities and collections” set up for testing
purposes to determine how the data repository meets the needs of Edinburgh
researchers
Active Data Infrastructure Pilots - address the need for recommendations for an
accessible data store and for collaboration utilites via filestore and “dropboxlike”
service pilots.
RDM Training for Liaison Librarians, Information Services
User requirement analysis – to improve alignment with stakeholders

13.
EDINA's 2014 strategic objectives:
Activity and Value Proposition:
1. Deliver highly valued services to our sector(s): customers and consumers
1.1 Engage with business needs of customers
2.1 Be active in national and international leadership
3. Successful contribution to the University of Edinburgh's activity and
engagement
3.1 Enhance development and delivery of services within the University
3.2 Contribute expertise and reputational value
Finance and sustainability:
11. Contribute to the University of Edinburgh's mission in our role as 'EDINA and
Data Library‘
11.1 Achieve financial recognition for increased support activity to the University
11.2 Secure external funds in order to continue to gain leverage from the
University's world-class ICT infrastructure

14.
Questions!
Acknowledgements:
Dr. Cuna Ekmekcioglu (VP’s office)
Sarah Jones (DCC)
Stuart Lewis (Digital Library)
Kerry Miller (DCC)
Robin Rice (EDL)
Tony Weir (ITI)