The Research Data Management Working Group (RDM WG) was established out of two motivations. first, to help libraries secure a critical role in the 21st century scholarly information infrastructure and, second, to recognize research data as valuable academic resources that need to be managed, shared and preserved to foster research and science.
Research libraries can have a key role in Research Data Management (RDM), consisting of supporting the entire data life cycle through knowledge, skills, infrastructure and tools.
The RDM Working Group operates as part of LIBER’s Strategic Direction on Research Infrastructure, which in turn is one of the pillars of our 2018-2022 Strategy. Under our previous strategy, it operated as the Scientific Information Infrastructures Working Group.
The RDM WG has three objectives:
- Exploring and developing library services regarding FAIR research data, such as support in data management during research projects, support with data archives/repositories to store and publish research datasets, and linking data to publications;
- Identifying best practices, fostering knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer, aiding in training and development of RDM services, and fostering collaborative science;
- Reaching out and seeking collaboration with other RDM initiatives to evaluate and support skills development as well as RDM infrastructures.
In its 2020 Workplan, the group has committed to:
- A Workshop at LIBER 2020 Online: Titled Hot RDM topics: Challenges and Roles for Library Professionals, this online workshop will clarify the role of the library and library professionals in solving RDM challenges.
- Eight Task Groups: Eight task groups will cover RDM topics in 2020 (e.g., GDPR, data stewardship, FAIR data, data curation, engaging researchers, training, RDM policies and a DMP catalogue). Each topic links to LIBER’s 2018-2022 Strategy and has been selected based on a December 2019 survey of RDM WG members.
- Webinars: The group aims to run 4-6 webinars in 2020.
- Communication: More frequent updates will be shared with the LIBER community.
