EDITOR’S NOTE: This event has been cancelled as part of Brock University’s ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In a constantly evolving world of technological development, the data management landscape is changing, and Brock University’s research data management strategies are changing with it.
With new national policies asking researchers to be more thoughtful about data storage and access, and anticipated requirements to include data management plans in grant applications, a greater focus is being given to research data management needs and infrastructure.
To turn these new expectations into an achievable reality for all in Brock’s research community, the Office of the Vice-President, Research and the Brock University Library are hosting the University’s first-ever Research Data Management (RDM) Day Tuesday, March 24.
The half-day gathering will bring together a variety of researchers and data experts to engage in a discussion about RDM on campus. After coffee and introductions, a panel of Brock researchers will explore data management practices and needs in their disciplines, followed by a discussion about what infrastructure is available at the University to support research data management. Participants will also hear a keynote address from Jeff Moon, Director, Portage Network, who said good data management was important for several reasons.
“Researchers who adopt and promote good data management practices reap many benefits, and as awareness of the value and impact of well-managed data grows, so too will these benefits,” said Moon. “We are in the midst of a culture change that will see more data made available for discovery and appropriate reuse than ever before.”
Michelle McGinn, Associate Vice-President, Research said the sessions available could provide researchers with critical knowledge to move their careers forward.
“Missing or corrupted data could undermine an entire research project, even disrupt a research career,” she said. “Where and how to store data, file naming conventions, backup procedures, access protections — it all matters to researchers and affects the work they can accomplish.”
While the risks McGinn highlighted will be discussed, Nicole Nolan, Associate University Librarian, Research says the day will also highlight available resources.
“Both during the event and normal working hours, the Brock Library is ready to assist the University’s researchers with their data management needs,” she said. “We hope RDM Day serves as a reminder of the committed team we have ready to help.”
With the University committed to supporting the needs of researchers across disciplines, McGinn feels the day will offer Brock researchers a chance to explore new and innovative ways to responsibly manage and, when appropriate, share their data.
“New knowledge is built upon the foundation of existing knowledge, which can be facilitated when data is shared,” she said. “For researchers who rely upon data from human participants, plans for data sharing must also consider the rights of those participants and the effects it can have on them. Good research data management matters to individual researchers, their collaborators, the broader research community, research participants and the general public.”
Research Data Management Day will take place Tuesday, March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 214 of the Rankin Family Pavilion.
To register for Research Data Management Day, visit the event’s ExperienceBU page.
