Developing institutional data policies: trend for 2012

The DCC is supporting a number of UK universities with research data management and top of the wishlist for most is a data policy. The EPSRC policy framework is often cited a key driver. We’re also seeing lots of policy development courtesy of the new JISC Managing Research Data programme [1], so predict this will be a key trend in 2012.

The DCC has put together a policy briefing to support institutions who are starting to develop data policies [2]. This summarises funder requirements, compares the approaches taken by different institutions and provides some pointers to get started.

There were also two excellent case studies presented at the MRD programme launch meeting, reflecting on lessons learned when developing policies at the Universities of Edinburgh [3] and Northampton [4]. See in particular Robin Rice’s really helpful slide of tips on ‘Developing an RDM policy’

Existing institutional RDM policies are listed on the DCC website [5], and several more are well underway; the Universities of Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, East London and Nottingham are all busy doing work in this area. Steve Hitchcock has written a great blog post on developing an institutional data policy at the University of Southampton [6] and the University of Manchester are also blogging progress as they move towards a policy with the aim of ratification in July 2012. See their excellent summary and draft policy Towards a Research Data Management Policy [7].

Simon Hodson, MRD programme manager, has suggested a workshop to bring together people developing and ratifying data policies. We’ll pass on details as they emerge.

If you have a policy you’d like us to add to the website, or are developing one and would like the DCC to advise or comment, please get in touch.

[1] JISC Managing Research Data - programme webpage

[2] DCC policy briefing - a summary for institutions starting to develop data policies

[3] Research Data Management: policy developement [ppt] - slides by Robin Rice, University of Edinburgh

[4] Implementing a Research Data Policy at The University of Northampton [ppt] - slides by Miggie Pickton

[5] UK institutional data policies - a list compiled by the DCC

[6] Driving institutional research data policy - a blog post by Steve Hitchcock at the university of Southampton

[7] Towards a Research Data Management Policy - a blog post by Mary McDerby linking to the University of Manchester's background research and draft policy