Research Data Conversations
Reflections from our latest event in this popular series, and what's up next
In October we had the fifth edition of Research Data Conversations (RDC). RDC is the event series for the Research Data Stewardship Community, which is coordinated by the Office for Open Research and part of the Research IT network of research communities.
Inspired by the original concept at Lancaster University Library, the series aims to bring together throughout the academic year research data professionals, data stewards, researchers, technicians, and any staff or PGRs at the University with an interest in research data to discuss or learn more about an interesting and important topic (introduced by an expert speaker) connected to research data stewardship, management, and skills training. Importantly it is also an opportunity for colleagues to make connections and have conversation in person over delicious local made pizza (not available at online editions unfortunately!).
At the October event led by , Professor of Data Literacy in the Social Sciences at the University of Manchester, we learnt about the current research data skills and literacy training offer by the and connected research projects on data skills gaps amongst students and data professionals.
We also had an interesting discussion on the emerging role of data journals, such as the and what we can do as a community to promote them more effectively to researchers as an alternative route to sharing their research data.
We plan on organising another four editions this academic year, with two in person and two online. Researchers and support staff interested in discussing the challenges and opportunities arising for research data are warmly invited to join.
The next event will take place on , online via Teams. We will be joined by Dr Samantha Pearman-Kanza, Project Lead for the and Principal Enterprise Fellow, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, University of Southampton. Dr Pearman-Kanza is an expert in digital research practices, data stewardship, and interdisciplinary community building.
We're looking forward to the next round of discussions and building more connections across our research data community at Manchester.
Tristan Martin, Open Research Librarian: Research Data Stewardship