Towards a robust RDM solution Dr David Young, Northumbria University Research Data Nework

1. Northumbria University:
Towards a robust RDM solution
Dr David Young
Research Funding and Policy Manager, Research and Innovation Services, Northumbria University

2. Context: Research at Northumbria
Metric Value
Research Grants and Contracts Income (2015/16) £6M
Active research projects (2017) 473
Total outputs in repository (2017) 22,438
Students (2015/16) 32,000
Academic staff FTE (2017) 1,200
Ranking in REF2014 “research power” tables 50th
REF2014 GPA 2.71
Research information systems PURE, Agresso, Eprints, SAP, SITS

3. Timeline I: RDM at Northumbria
…But no supporting infrastructure in place, and then no IT representative! (Summer 2015)
RDM policy and guidance approved by RIC (April 2015)
In-depth interviews with EPSRC award holders (Spring 2015)
Initial survey of research data management practice (Early 2015)
RDM Working Group reporting to Research and Innovation Committee (Late 2014)

4. Interaction with DCC
• Jan 2016 – Workshop on RDM policy development and
implementation
Services that are being implemented across UK HEIs
based on results of 2015 DCC survey which collected
responses from 60 institutions
Results of group exercise which indicates RIS, Library
and IT Services seen as natural leads in delivering
majority of RDM services

5. RISE Workshop I
• May 2016 – RISE Workshop with RDM WG focusing specifically on
options appraisal for data repository
Level One Level Two Level Three
Service primarily supports data deposit to
third-party repositories, and holds datasets
in-house when legal /regulatory compliance
requires this
Service defines criteria for in-house
retention of datasets of long-term value to
the institution
Service defines criteria for developing datasets
as special collections and ensures these meet
specialist depositor and user needs
Level One Level Two Level Three
Service supports minimum external
requirements for metadata and publicly
accessible data
Service supports community best practice
standards for data access, citation and
metadata exchange
Service supports bespoke content
discoverability, access and quality review
needs for user groups or organisations

6. RISE Workshop II
Area of Data Management Capability E-Prints
ReCollect
Figshare for
Institutions
PURE
Ingest 2 2 1.5
Data access, publishing and discovery 2 2 1.5
Preservation 2.5 2 1.5
Management and reporting 2 2.5 2.5
Integration 3 2.5 2

7. How has the RISE model helped us?
• Enabled us to have a clear view of our current capabilities and
shortcomings around RDM support infrastructure
• Provided a benchmark for senior managers
• Formed part of evidence base for position paper on RDM
• Helped secure budget allocation for RDM support system and staffing
• Bridged the communication gap between research support services
(RIS, Library) and other critical central services (IT, procurement)
• Key input to formal University options appraisal and business
requirements paper

8. Timeline II: RDM at Northumbria post-RISE
Aim to pilot system and then roll out (from Jan 2018)
Aim to go to procurement (Sept 2017)
Business requirements and options appraisal (May-June 2017)
Budget allocation for RDM system and staffing (Mar 2017)
Further survey of likely heavy data users (Jan 2017)
IT Services representation on RDM Working Group (late 2016)

9. Any Questions?